Home
You are in Online Reading - The Christian Faith

The Christian Faith (index)

The Times of Jesus and the Jewish Wedding

by Derek Marshall

Jesus followers had already heard the Lord teach of his impending suffering, death and resurrection. They where uncertain of the future and greatly disturb. Jesus uses this analogy from the Jewish wedding to comfort the disciples.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my fathers house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3

In the times of Jesus the Jewish wedding had several stages to it.

1) The Betrothal Stage
2) A Price to be Paid (the Mohar)
3) The Separation Stage
4) The Coming for the Bride
5) The Bridal Chamber and Celebration (The seven days of Huppah)
6) The Presentation of the Bride

In this series we will look at the plan of God past, present, and future and see how they fit into the out line of the marriage in the fist century.

1) The Betrothal Stage

The first stage in a Jewish marriage, at the time of Jesus was betrothal. This was a covenant promise agreed between to groom and the bride’s father. The bridegroom would leave his father’s house and travel to the home of his future bride. Taking initiative to set up an agreement for the marriage union.

Abrahamic covenant.

Now the Lord said to Abram: “get out of your country, from your family and your father’s house, to a land I will show you." Gen 12:1

There was only partial Obedience –

He left his country – He left his father’s house – but He didn’t leave his family, took Lot with him.

It is said in some Christian Circles that this Promise of God is Conditional on the obedience of the People, i.e. (Abram & Israel.)

If this is so then from the very first step of Abram out from his country and his father’s house this Covenant was null and void Due to the disobedience of Abram.

Let's see what the promises where made and if they have been kept by God.

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Gen.12: 2-3

A) I will make you a great nation
B) I will bless you.
C) And Make your name Great.
D) You will be a blessing.
E) I will bless those that bless you.
F) I will curse those who curse you.
G) In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Did God keep his word? YES HE DID!

And God confirmed his Promise in (Gen13: 14-17) and then reconfirmed in (15: 7-18)

Abraham was asleep when God made this covenant. He neither agreed to anything nor made any promise, so God makes his promise Unconditionally.

God had made an irrevocable promise that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through Abram.

God also made an everlasting promise to David

The Davidic Covenant

Your house and your kingdom shall endure for ever before me,
Your throne shall be established for ever. 2Sam. 7:16

Here is a 3-fold covenant
A) That from David’s family would come an everlasting line.
B) That from David would come an everlasting Kingdom
C) That from David would come an everlasting King

How was God going to keep his word?

C. Sylvester Horne put it this way in his well-known hymn
Sing we the king who is coming to reign,
Glory to Jesus the Lamb that was slain.
Life and salvation, His Empire shall bring.
Joy to the nations when Jesus is King

top

2) A Price to be Paid (the Mohar)

The Second stage in the Jewish wedding Involved the paying of the mohar a type of dowry that had to be paid by the groom. This mohar was kept as security for the bride.

The groom having left his father’s house would pay an agreed price, to purchase his bride. Once the price had been paid by the bridegroom. The marriage covenant was sealed and the couple where regarded as husband and wife. At that time the Bride was declared sanctified or set apart for her husband.

How then does this fit into the plan of God? The fall of man

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. Gen. 2:16-17 

In Gen.3: 6 we discover that Adam did eat of the tree that he was commanded not to eat of, and further down the same chapter in verse 14 we read of God’s response to the serpent that deceived them. Saying, 

“Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of you life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between you offspring and hers; he will crush you head and you will strike his heel.”

The Outcome of man’s disobedience was and still is death.

The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23. 

Death then is the purchase price that has to be paid. It is the penalty for sin set by the creator.

It must be remembered that the bible teaches that the church is the bride. Ephesians 5:22-33 See 31& 32 

“for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

This is a profound mystery – But I am talking about Christ and the church.
Paul writing to the church stated 

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him". 2Cor 11: 2

The church then is the bride that needs a bridegroom, the bible further teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is that bridegroom.

A question is asked of Jesus as to why his disciples don’t fast in reply Jesus asserts that he is the bridegroom and that his followers are his friends. Luke 5:34

Jesus answered “can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?

Revelation 19:7- 8 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

In the wedding it was the Groom that had to pay the price to buy his bride, and there by sanctify her unto himself. How then was this done?
The bridegroom leaves his father’s house.

Jesus left the Glory that is The Father’s house and came to the home of his bride. (The earth)

When the Angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Saviour to his mother Mary she asked the question “How will this be since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, 

"the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:34-35

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who left his Father’s house to come to the home of his bride. In the gospel of John 1:14 speaking of Jesus John writes, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from The Father full of grace and truth.

On Jesus first visit to the Jerusalem, After Mary and Joseph had found him in the Temple He said to them

Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house? Luke 2:49

What was the Price? Death (Rom. 6: 23)

Jesus did no sin (1Peter 2: 22)

Jesus knew no sin (2 Cor. 5: 21)

Pilate said “ I find no fault in him” (John 18:38)

A Centurion in charge of his death said, “surely this was a righteous man” (Luke 23:47)

If the wages of sin is death. Then why did Jesus die?

The scriptures Say “you see at just the right time, when we where still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 and the in vs.8 but God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we where still sinners Christ died for us.

You see just as the bride in the first century was bought with a price. So Christ paid the price for us. 1Cor. 6:19-20 …You are not your own: you were bought with a price. Therefore honour God with your body. Also in 1Peter1: 18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

The bride and groom in the first century sealed the marriage agreement by drinking from a glass of wine.

On the night that Jesus was betrayed he instituted what we call the Communion or the Lord’s supper. And announced that he would seal the new covenant in his blood. By taking the cup and telling his disciples to drink from it every one of you.

Jesus Christ the bridegroom came to earth to pay the price of death, to buy his bride the church.

The next stage in the wedding was the separation stage...

top

3) The Separation Stage

In John 14:2 Jesus told his disciples 

"In my father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."

The wedding tradition in the time of Jesus was that after the mohar (the price) had been paid.

The bridegroom would leave the brides home and return to his own father’s house where he would busy himself preparing living accommodation for himself and his new bride. The bride in the mean time would be preparing her self for married life. The length of time of the separation did vary but it was usually around a year.

Let us read Matthew 1:18-25
1. Mary and Joseph were husband and wife. Vs.19
2. There had not been intimate together vs. 18
3. They were not living together vs. 24

This is then the situation that Mary and Joseph were in at the announcement of the birth of Jesus.

This to is the present age in which we live today. The covenant has been agreed, the price paid and the bridegroom has left to prepare a place for us, his bride.

Did you notice in Revelation 19:7 that we are told that his bride has “made herself ready.”

How are we to make ourselves ready?

A) Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

1. Offer our selves exclusively to God
2. Don’t conform to this worlds standards
3. Be transformed in our minds.

B) Ephesians 4:1-3 - As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle: be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

What is a worthy life?
1. 1. A humble life
2. A gentle life
3. A patient life
4. A loving life
5. A peaceful life

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control… Galatians 5:22-23

top

4) The Coming for the Bride

In the Jewish wedding after a period of separation when the bridegroom had prepared living accommodation for his bride the next stage would be the coming for the bride.

The Father of the groom would inspect the preparation done by the bridegroom, and only when it was completely finished to his satisfaction would he allow his son to go and claim his bride.

On receiving the go ahead the bridegroom would leave his father’s house with his best man and other escorts they would proceed to the brides home. The bride did not know at what time her husband would come although of course she was expecting him at any time. As the grooms procession neared the brides home a shout would ring out, and the bride would come out to meet him.

When they met they would return to the bridegrooms house. On arrival the bride still veiled would enter the bridal chamber (huppah) with her husband and there they would consummate the marriage.

After the marriage was consummated, the groom would come out and announce the consummation. (John 3:29)

These people would pass on the news of the union to the waiting guests. The bride would remain hidden in the bridal chamber for seven days

This corresponds to what is known as the rapture of the church, which is the next great event on God’s calendar. It also has reference to the Great tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 - According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1. Leaving The Father’s house
The Lord himself will come down (v 16) it will not be another that comes it will be Jesus

Acts 1:11 …This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.

2. The time of his coming
Just as in the wedding the bride doesn’t know the time of the grooms coming so to the church doesn’t know the time of the Saviours return to the sky.

Matthew 24:36 - No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only The Father.

Only one knows about that day and hour, The Father.

In the wedding the only one that new was the grooms father. It was he who gave the OK. The bride although not knowing precisely when her husband would come for her did have some idea.

See Matthew 25: 1-13 - The parable of the ten virgins.
We to can have some idea as to the coming of our Lord for his church. Matthew 24 is all about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Verses 32-34 we read "now learn the lesson of the fig tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is right at the door. I tell you the truth this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened."

The things mentioned in this Matthew 24 are already happening. It could be that we will be the generation that sees the rapture of the church, I believe so.

3. The Taking of the bride
Just as the arrival of the bridegroom is announced by a shout so to is the coming of Christ for his bride. 1Thessaloians 4:16 A loud command with the voice of the archangel.

In Matthew 25:6 it says 

"at midnight the cry rang out: Here’s the bridegroom!. Come out and meet him!"

4. The Veiled Bride
Today the world does not recognise us the church of Jesus Christ. We are the veiled bride of Christ. And just as they failed to receive him they do not receive us.

John 1: 10 - He was in the world, and though the world was made by him, the world did not recognise him.

Luke 19:44 Because you did not recognise the time of God’s coming to you.

In the same way that the first century bride remained veiled as she was taken to her new home, the church remains veiled to.

top

5) The Bridal Chamber and Celebration (The seven days of Huppah)

There is another comparison here though.

The bride went into the bridal chamber for 7 days, and remained hidden. The church will also remain hidden for a period of 7; the church of Jesus Christ will be in heaven for 7 years. While on the earth it will be the time of God’s wrath or the Great Tribulation.

Just listen to the scriptures

Romans 1:18 - The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 5:9 - Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him.

Ephesians 2:3 - All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it’s desires and thoughts. Like the rest we were by nature objects of wrath. 4. But

1 Thessalonians 1:10 - And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead- Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 - For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

top

6) The Presentation of the Bride

The presentation stage of the Jewish wedding came at the end of the seven days of Huppah the period that the bride has been in the bridal chamber hidden from all.

The groom brings out his wife but now without her veil so that every one can see who she is.

This corresponds to the time when Jesus Christ comes back to the earth.

You will remember that at the rapture Jesus came to the air and his church are take out to meet him But now he returns to the earth not for his bride, for we have already been with him for seven years, But with his bride.

THE GLORIOUS APPEARING

1) Christ comes with his own
1Thessalonians 3:13 - May he strengthen so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Who are these holy ones?

The verse tells us! “you will be blameless and holy.” It is the church the bride of Christ.

2) He comes to the earth
Zechariah 14:4 - On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem.

He comes to earth and we come with him, the world will see the church again, this time not veiled but unveiled as the bride of Christ.

3) Every eye shall see him
Rev 1:7 - Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the world will mourn because of him.

So shall it be! Amen.

There is resurrection in this verse “even those that pierced him see him.”

Matt 24:30 - At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

For every eye to see him coming takes a lot of technology. It was unthinkable in the 19th. Century let alone in the 1st. Century. It wasn’t possible until very recently, but today it is.

3) Millennial Kingdom begins
Rev 20:1-7 - And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss, and locked it and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years were ended.

The thousand years. Will be an earthly reign of Jesus Christ when peace will reign. It will be a time of “peace and good will to men on whom his favour rests. ”Luke 2:14

What does the millennial kingdom hold in store for us?

A) A time of holiness

Micah 4:2 - Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his path.

B) A time of Peace

Micah 4:3 - They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more,

The prince of peace shall reign over an age of peace.

C) A time of Joy

Isaiah 12:3 - With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation

D) A time of good health

Isaiah 33:24 - No-one living in Zion will say I am sick…

E) A time of Security

Isaiah 32:18 - My people will live in peaceful dwelling-places, in secure homes, in undisturbed peace and rest.

There won’t be any fear of lawlessness

F) A time of Justice

Isaiah 42:1 - Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.

Home
You are in Online Reading - The Christian Faith

The Christian Faith (index)