“Don’t worry about me. I’m not lonely. Jesus Christ is my bridegroom.”

In the past, I would cringe when someone would say that Jesus was their bridegroom. I had heard this term used many times in Scripture but it still sounded sacrilegious somehow.

According to an article on this topic by Fr David Endres (the catholictelegraph.com), Jesus referenced himself as the bridegroom when questioned on why his disciples do not fast: “How can you expect wedding guests to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15). At the wedding reception in Cana, did you know Jesus took on the role of the groom to provide the wine?

Jesus is the long-awaited bridegroom that has come to Earth to unite humanity to Himself.

Even John the Baptist tried to set the record straight that he was not the Messiah, just the best man: “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom… He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:29-30)

This nuptial imagery is even more poignant as at the Last Supper, a wedding banquet, where Jesus is both host and gift. He offers himself for his bride, the Church. The Catechism summarises, “The Church is the spotless bride of the spotless Lamb… He has joined her with himself in an everlasting covenant and never stops caring for her as for his own body” (796).

 

Jesus, my 4G

Having worked on a government match-making publication in the past, I’ve interviewed a number of couples who successfully tied the knot. What were the women looking for in a spouse? What characteristics would the ideal partner i.e. the bridegroom have? I am watching a Taiwanese drama serial recently called Murphy’s Law of Love, where the protagonist spouts traits of an ideal partner with the acronym 4G. And yes, Jesus is the ultimate ideal who fulfills every need and is well-positioned to steal our hearts.

There are many examples of Jesus as the 4G man (the bridegroom). I have mentioned just a few below.

Jesus has Guts

“Let us arise, and go hence.” In John 14:31, Jesus went forth to meet his enemies. He went ahead, knowing all things that were to happen to him. Jesus knew torture and death was imminent. He knew his hour had come.

It took a lot of human effort to not flag, but to go forth.

Jesus the Giver

Jesus was generous to the people he encountered and the people received more than they hoped for. The disabled paraplegic received restored mobility and a relationship with God. The haemorrhaging woman was healed in body and restored to dignity in community.

Jesus did more than expected. When he put on a feast of fish and bread, there were seven baskets of leftovers. Why so much?

Jesus is Gentle

Even when Jesus was suffering, naked and thirsty on the cross, His precious, selfless thoughts were towards others. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).

And he sought to care and protect his mother: “he said to his disciple “Woman, this is your son’… From that moment, the disciple took her to his own home”. (John 19:26-27)

Jesus gave His Guarantee

Jesus is the Son of God and his Word is full of promise, and promises.

He says, “anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. And there is no judgment for him;, but has passed from death to life!” (John 5:24).

 

Great is thy Faithfulness

And Jesus will be there for us, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. Our bridegroom Jesus Christ is faithful to you and me.

Jesus said: “… (and) I am with you always, even to the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20)

 

Karen Roberts-Fong