Bride of Christ (Post #2)

This is second in a series, from hand-written journal of December 16th, 2024. Previous installment is here.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Luke 1:45-55

Me: Good evening, Jesus!

Jesus: Good evening, Jon!

Me: The last time you offered insights into several things about the meaning of “the bride of Christ”, Most notably, your desire to be one with us (with me!). Would you say more?

Jesus: What would you like to know?

Me: Where does the scripture reference Your bride?

Jesus: Let’s start today with Ephesians 5:25 – 27, that I showed you before:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Have I not given Myself for you? In not the very purpose of My word your sanctification? If you continue to allow My word to change your heart you will be completely transformed. These things are true in My Spirit which is alive in you forevermore. If you allow Me, I will remove all blemishes. (John noted in the beginning of John chapter one that I Am the Word. I Am doing the washing.)

Look what exchanged between Peter and I: “No!”, said Peter, “You will never wash my feet!” I answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8)

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5: 22-24)

You must let Me serve you in this washing, Even as I told Peter, who was not exclaiming “No!” out of pride. Rather he spoke out of his (accurate) sense of his own unworthiness. I Am not blind to the nature of your sin. Yet I took it upon Myself, despising the shame that you were already bearing, because I love you and I want you to be “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing”. I Am making you holy and blameless. Nothing is too hard for Me.

I have never overruled your free will. I am not about to start doing so. It is up to you whether you will submit to the washing of the water of the word. Look back to My prayer that we be one (John 17). My word never returns void but always accomplishes that which I send it to do (Isaiah 55:11). I have sent it to make us one.

Me: Thank You Jesus! I love You!

Jesus: You are welcome! I love you!