In order to communicate his deep love for us, Jesus described his love in terms of a family community. He compared himself to a bridegroom who paid a steep price for his bride and then went to his Father?s house to prepare a place for her.
Jesus made this comparison especially clear during the Last Supper. Taking a cup of wine in his hands, he told his disciples, ?This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you? (Luke 22:20).
No doubt his disciples immediately recognized the imagery of a marriage proposal. And they were able to picture the depths of Jesus? love—a love so deep that Jesus made a covenant with them and was willing to give his life for them.
By using marriage imagery, Jesus said, in effect, ?I love you as my bride, so I?ll pay the bride price. I?ll give up my life for you and to go my Father?s house to prepare a place for you. And one day I will return and take you to be with me forever.?
Writing to the Corinthians, Paul used the bridegroom picture as well: ?You are not your own; you were bought at a price? (1 Cor. 6:19—20). His words reminded Jesus? believers that they were his brides-to-be, waiting for the day when he would return and take them home.
