Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

The notion of the bride and bridegroom in the OT is prominent, related to idea of social union, mirth, and gladness in Scripture, as well as its use as a basic image of God’s relationship to his people (as seen in the book of Song of Solomon). The concept of Israel as the bride of God begins with God’s relationship with Israel in its pitiful and neglected origins, to God’s gracious selection, courtship, and marriage; Israel’s adulterous faithlessness with idolatry and injustice, to God’s judgment and exile upon both Israel (the Northern Kingdom), and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). The return of God’s people to the land began with Cyrus’ decree and permission to reenter the land, which was carried out through Ezra, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah. God promised his people that he would make a new covenant with them, not based on their obedience and faithfulness but rather his writing his law on their hearts and giving them a new spirit. Ultimately, his people would be restored to God, and he would one day dance and rejoice over his people like a bridegroom over a bride. Clues for the hope and promise of a new covenant are included in God’s covenant with Abraham, and its prospect of Gentile inclusion. In the person of Jesus, the bride-bridegroommetaphor is extended and completed. Jesus has now become the source and life of the Church, his new bride, and John the Baptist, his forerunner, has become the friend of the bridegroom. The make-up of God’s people was revealed through the disclosure of the mystery revealed through the apostles and prophets, that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in the new covenant promise of God, and through it, are welcomed as members of God’s new humanity and Christ’s bride. All Gentiles (like Jews) are welcomed into the body and bride of Christ by faith, washed in his blood and included in God’s Church. Gentiles need not renounce their cultural identity as clarified at Jerusalem Council (cf. Acts 15), and now the heart of all apostolic ministry is preparing God’s people as a bride, whom Christ will receive at his coming, blameless in his sight. The divine romance will be consummated with the coming of the New Jerusalem from heaven, the dwelling place of God and his people, who will totally identify with Christ the bridegroom in being made like him, becoming joint-heirs with him, in his presence forever, as his co-regent.

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