Revelation 21:9

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

‘The Bride, the Lamb’s wife.’

Revelation 21:9

The Church, the Bride of Christ, is not called into existence simply for itself; it is called into existence for the sake of the Bridegroom. The work of the Bride of Christ: ‘Ye shall be witnesses unto Me.’ A husband and wife ought to be one in thought, in character, in work. And that is the idea, that the Church of Christ should be one in thought, in character, and in work with Jesus Christ. What is Jesus Christ’s character? That should be the character of His Church and the different parts of the Church. What is the thought of Jesus Christ? That should be the thought of the Church, the different parts of the Church.

I. The work of the Bride.—Just think of the love of Jesus Christ for the world! Can we estimate it? Can we picture it? Can we even imagine it? And yet if we are one with Him and His Bride, there ought to be in us that same spirit of love and devotion, that keenness for the work that characterised Him.

II. The position of the Bride.—When you are united to Jesus Christ in the closest of all ties as His bride, think what a claim you have upon Him, think what a claim He has upon you. If you are His bride, what has He a right to expect from you? Loyalty to Himself, nothing coming between. What have you a right to expect from Him? Everything. And yet, unfortunately, what do we see over and over again? Men and women not living up to their rank, not realising their privileges.

III. The ambition of the Bride.—Just as a wife looks up to the husband, so the Church must look up to Jesus Christ. Jesus only! That is the cry of the Church, that is the cry of the Christian. Jesus only!

—Rev. J. E. Watts-Ditchfield.