“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy.
For I have bethroned you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”
– 2 Corinthians 11:2 –
The name of “matchmaker” is popularly given to one who makes a connection between two parties, beginning and strengthening contacts that lead a couple to join their lives in marriage. In certain cultures, it is a profession, a role that is exercised upon request. Others who are bolder offer their services; that, of course, requires the consent of those involved. Matchmakers, also called “go-betweens,” cannot resist: they are constantly introducing friends.
In the case of a well-known couple, the “matchmaker” was the groom’s brother in law, who used his influence to create conditions for making a contact, arrange meetings, and develop a friendship. Thanks to God, the couple have been blessed with forty-three years of marriage and a beautiful family. They are always deeply grateful to the brother in law, who was used by God to join their lives.
Society in Paul’s day did not consider personal preferences as the basis of a marriage covenant, so the matchmaker had to analyze the family tree and keep the social and financial positions of the bride and the groom in perspective.
Paul told the church in Corinth that he was worried about it. He saw the church in Corinth as Christ’s bride. He wanted to take it and present it to Christ as pure and chaste, a virgin commited to only one husband in love and faithfulness.
Paul used several figures to refer to the church. In that case, as well as when he wrote to the Ephesians, marriage represented the union between Christ and the church through a wedding and feast.
It is the sacrifice of Christ that creates a community of saints.
“Pride transformed angels into demons, while humility,
by accepting the merrits of Christ, transforms sinners into saints”
– Augustine of Hippo –
The apostle’s services were limited, but the Groom’s services are unlimited. Christ watches over the bride, forgives her, protects her, prepares her, and helps her to be faithful and have a missionary mind. Although there are evils in the bride, “the church in these last days is to be the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by sin. The church, enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only object upon earth upon which Christ bestows His supreme regard” (The remnant Church, p. 33).
With a matchmaker like Paul,
how could we not get married to a Bridegroom like Jesus!
Now, every day, and for eternity.
Be blessed…