Question: People call the church the bride of Christ, but I cannot find it explicitly in the scriptures. The church is called the body of Christ, but where is it likened to Jesus’ bride?

Answer: The church of Jesus Christ is referred to biblically as a body, flock, family, building, soldier and planting of the Lord. The church is also portrayed as the bride of Christ. Speaking to the church Paul wrote, “I promised you to one husband, to Christ, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him” (2 Cor 11:2).

As counsel to those married on earth Paul also wrote, “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church” (Eph 5:25‑27). He then concludes by saying, “I am speaking about Christ and the church” (Eph 5:32). 

Referring to Jesus, John the Baptist said, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears Him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full” (John 3:28‑30). John called himself the friend of the bridegroom, which is Jesus.

God inspired the Bible as a love letter from Him to us.

It is His very word spoken to all humanity that we would respond to His love. It is a love letter meant to be read in its entirety with faith. The Bible even declares that the things which happened to Israel in the Old Testament were given as an example to us for our instruction today.

(See 1 Cor 10:11.)

In Genesis 24 we read that the will of father Abraham was to find a bride for his son Isaac. Keeping the son with him, as Jesus is currently seated in heaven, he sent his servant, who is a picture of the Holy Spirit, to find the bride in another land.

(See John 15:26). There he found a very beautiful woman named Rebekah. When she agreed to become the bride of the father’s son, the servant gave her gifts, just as the Holy Spirit does to Christians.

Laban plays the part of Satan who encouraged Rebekah to linger in her land, just as Satan loves to keep sinners entangled in the things of this world.

The bride was faithful to endure the rugged 500‑mile journey on the back of a camel. Sometimes life here stinks and is difficult to deal with, but the real church remains faithful to Jesus.

As she cast her eyes upon Isaac, the Bible declares she dismounted. The word is naphal, which literally means to fall. She must have been overwhelmed.

So will we be when we see Jesus.

Shalom y’all.