JESUS the Bridegroom Daniel 9:2-4 Mark 2:18-22

I ....... take you, Jesus to be my heavenly husband - to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.

JESUS the Bridegroom Daniel 9:2-4 Mark 2:18-22

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds and drives away his fear. Jesus - my shepherd, husband, friend, my prophet priest and king, my lord, my life, my way, my end - accept the praise I bring!

JESUS ‘my husband’? Ephesians 5:25-33 - the bride of Christ (also in the Song of Songs) Mark 2:18-22 - fasting without the bridegroom (& other parables about waiting for him) Revelation 21:9 - ‘the bride, the wife of the Lamb’ Daniel 9:2-4 - about fasting (but no bridegroom mentioned!)

A METAPHOR “I am the door” “I am the true vine” “You are Peter (the Rock)” ‘ - the breastplate of righteousness’ ‘All Scripture is God-breathed …’

Question: What is a BRIDEGROOM? Answer: A COMMITTED LOVER Luke 20:29 “ - for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health … till death us do part”

“I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3) HIS PROPOSAL: “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3) “You are precious and honoured in my sight … and I love you” (Isaiah 43:4) “I will betroth you to me forever …” (Hosea 2:19) ‘Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her’ (Ephesians 5:25)

Because He is a COMMITTED LOVER …. father brother friend shepherd saviour prophet priest king lord life way end ‘Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ’ (Romans 8:39)

What happens when your husband is away? Mark 2:18-22 ? What happens when your husband is away? The truth about your relationship is revealed

“It is for your good that I am going away!” What happens when Jesus is away? (Crucifixion? Ascension?) We miss him! “It is for your good that I am going away!”

What happens when Jesus is away? (Crucifixion? Ascension?) We miss him! “It is for your good that I am going away” “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever” John 14:16

“What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking … “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying!” Now you see me? Now you don’t!

How to see Jesus when he’s away … FAITH STRENGTHENERS

‘May I love you more dearly, know you more clearly and follow you more nearly, day by day ….’ AMEN Fasting … Is it essential? Is it compulsory? Is it permissible? Is it beneficial? Is it constructive? (1 Corinthians 10)

Prayer of St Richard of Chichester Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ for all the benefits You have given me, for all the pains and insults You have borne for me. Most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I see You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You more nearly, day by day Amen.