Communion Is Marriage?

Hi Everyone-

In reading a book about prayer for Spiritual Formation, I learned something really cool (in my view) about communion and being the Bride of Christ.  In Jesus' time, a prospective groom would go to the lady's dad and ask him for her hand in marriage while offering up a bride price.  In the ancient world having sons brought money to the family, because sons did virtually all the paying jobs, so having a daughter somewhat reduced the wealth of a family.  Thus, the prospective groom would pay the dad a reverse dowry of sorts, to give money back if you will.  You could say that in a positive way the bride was "bought with a price" ... which is a phrase used to describe Jesus' dying on the cross for us, the Bride of Christ.  But, if the dad said yes, it wasn't a done deal that there'd be a marriage though.  The lady got a say.  They poured her a glass of wine, and if she drank it, then she accepted the proposal.  So, right before dying on the Cross Jesus offers His followers, who became His Bride, wine.  So, one way of understanding drinking wine (or juice) in communion is that we are saying "yes" to Jesus' proposal.  We are becoming His betrothed.

That's the connection between marriage and communion, but the connections between marriage in ancient Israel and being the Bride of Christ continue.  After, the wine was drank, the groom-to-be would go home and build a bridal chamber for his bride. ... Now, Jesus speaks of going to heaven to prepare a place for us (His Bride) ... hhmmmmm

But, the groom didn't get to decide when the chamber was done, his dad did. ... And Jesus says that no-one knows the time or the place of His return, including Himself, because only the Father knows the time and the place ...uh huh.

Once the chamber was done, the groom would go unannounced to get his bride and get the party started (i.e. get married).  But, it was a surprise.  She wouldn't know when he was coming, because he would just show up like a thief in the night. ... Jesus urges us to be ready at all times for Him, because He will come back to get us like a thief in the night ... I don't know about you, but I like it!

We took communion at church today and I smiled, with slightly glistening eyes (because I got some dust in them I think :), as I drank the "wine" ... because I think it is awesome that Jesus wants me to be His Bride and I say "YES".  And He wants you .. and you ... and you too!

What do you think?

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Grace and peace,
Lang