Today we turn the page in our dusty old album and find wedding photos. The day of the first wedding, ever. Marriage is important to God because reflects a picture of God’s character to the world. Or at least it should!
One of the first things we learn about God’s character from looking at marriage is that God is love…the world should see love when they see a marriage. God is patient. They should see patience. God is long-suffering. What marriage doesn’t have its ups and down and times of suffering? But we are called to endure during these times, even if we have to “suffer long.” I could go on and on…but you understand. Marriage is a direct reflection of God to the world. That’s why God takes it seriously.
God created Adam and it was not good for him to be alone. We need a bride to have a wedding….. So, God caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam and took a rib from his side and built him a Bride.
There are many places in the New testament where Adam is contrasted with Jesus…but in this story Adam is a picture of Jesus. Adam said when he saw Eve for the first time…
“This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall and man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:23-24
This is a picture of Jesus that we can’t really fully understand without looking back from the New Testament.
Ephesians 5:30 “For we are now members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother and be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I am speak concerning Christ and the church.
This is almost a direct quote from what Adam said when he was presented with Eve leaving us no doubt it’s a picture we see in Genesis of Jesus and God’s plan for the future.
God put Adam into a deep sleep and took from his side a rib. From that rib he fashioned a woman. When she was fully complete God brought her to Adam.
Jesus was put to death and his side was pierced and by the work of the Holt Spirit a bride is being fashioned for Jesus. When the bride is finished we will also be presented to our groom.
Ephesians makes it clear when Paul says:…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that it should be holy and without blemish. ….This is the great mystery; but I speak of Christ and the Church. Ephesian 5:25-32
Adam is the perfect picture of Jesus:
Jesus left his Father’s house to gain a bride at the price of his own life.
Like Adam, Jesus was ‘put to sleep’ to purchase His bride, the Church.
Like Adam, Jesus’ side was opened, after he had fallen asleep.
The justifying blood and cleansing water spilled out.
And out of Adams’ side a bride was brought forth. And the wounded side of Jesus will bring forth for Him a Bride….the church.
Adam’s sleep that brings forth a bride exactly reflects God’s plan to bring forth a bride (the Church) from Jesus’s side and death.
Next week we will see how Adam gave his life to save his bride.
See you then!
