Within the confines of a Jewish community, a Jewish boy meets/sees/hears about a sweet Jewish girl. If both are within marrying age, and the boy really likes her, he goes first to his father. With his father's blessing, he then goes to her father. The boy states his intentions and then asks the girls father for the bride price. Now in Jewish culture (in contrast to other major cultures) the boy must pay for the girl. Girls are very special to their parents, and the boy must pay her honor by sacrificing for her. AND, this price only pays for a CHANCE at her hand. If the father deems the boy worthy of his daughter and agrees, a deal is reached and a date of communion is set. The girl is informed by her father who the young man is and of his intentions. Extended family and friends are invited over to witness the "communion" between the girl and her pursuer. NO PRESSURE!
On the day of the encounter, the nervous boy is brought into the girls home. Friends and family are waiting. Can you imagine his nerves? Nothing in this process is taken lightly...the Jewish daughter is cherished! A table is placed in the room's center, and on the table, a cup of wine. The now incredibly nervous boy is placed at one side of the table, while the girl is on the other. The cup is central. The boy then asks the girl for her hand in marriage (in front of the many witnesses). The boy drinks of the cup and then slides it to the girl. If she does not wish to marry him, she leaves the cup on the table. If she does wish to marry him, she lifts the cup to her lips and partakes of it...thus communing of the cup with the boy. A boisterous party then breaks out and the girl is no longer known by her name, but as "the one bought with a price". Of course she wasn't purchased, she was given a choice, but monetary emphasis is on her value. She's valued by her family, she's valued by the boy and he's willing to sacrifice for her.
The next twelve months are spent in preparation for both boy and girl. The couple won't see each other during this time, the "best man" will relay messages between them. During the preparation, she will be preparing for her new home, and he will be building it. The boy actually, with the help of his father will build a "mansion" for his future bride. "Mansion", translating "apartment" is usually adjacent to his parents home. Father and son build a home for the future couple and its completion is determined by the father. The young man cannot marry his bride until his father says the home is ready.
Now the girl never knows when her bride-groom will come for her....she must always be ready. Because most courtships/preparations last twelve months, she has a good idea of the time, but not an exact date. So...the girl must be ready and vigilant.
On the go ahead of the boys father, the boy and his entourage leave to get his girl. A loud and joyous procession procede the streets to the girls home. She's waiting. Most bridal processions happen at night too and the bride, her attendants and family meet them. The girl is then placed in the position of honor and brought to the home of the boy where a rabbi or Jewish leader is waiting to marry them. They are given seven days of exclusion within their new home and a feast follows.
What is amazing about this you ask? Well, I am not Jewish nor did I marry a Jewish boy. However, if you read this one more time slowly, you will note some similarities to an amazingly significant event: Christ and His love for the church (and not just those of Jewish decent, but everybody (see 2 Peter 3:9)...Christ and His love for me...for YOU.
Christ is that Jewish boy.....and YOU are His bride. Christ has placed unfathomable value on you. The union He desires in not physical, but spiritual. Jesus Christ is sitting at the table offering you the cup. He's sacrificed dearly for you, in the form of His life. You are so cherished, no amount of money could pay your bride price, it took life...His life. And not only did He die for you, but three days later God raised Him from the dead. You are cherished; Take the cup and drink: YOU....the "one bought with a price". He's alive and waiting for His Father to give the okay. He's building your mansion in heaven. He anticipates your arrival.
But first you must drink of the cup. There's nothing you can do outside of that, you must make a choice. You must ask Him into your life, ask Him to forgive your sins...to be your Lord, your Savior. You're given a choice. You don't have to. But you are loved more than you know. If you neglect the cup, you give up the groom. You give up the groom, and your eternity will be spent apart from Him.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
For God so loved the world He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, will no perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.
Jesus has paid your bride price with His life. He's offering YOU that cup. Will you take it?
