Compelling Love

In Matthew 16, Jesus (Yeshua) commends Peter for recognizing who he is –
the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God:

Matthew 16 (NKJV)
¹³ When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
¹⁴ So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

This revelation was from His Father in heaven, who is seeking covenant relationships with His people through His Son, who laid down His life for all who believe:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Salvation is only through Jesus’ death on the cross and our acceptance of His forgiveness. However, salvation is just the beginning of what should be a walk of increasing maturity and intimacy of relationship with Him.

Types of covenant relationships in the Bible include service, friendship, inheritance and betrothal/marriage:

These covenants involve progressive growth in our purification, relationship and partnership with God. Authors John Klein and Adam Spears write:

“The Lord will give us a step-by-step increase of His kingdom in our lives if we choose to walk out our faith. But we have to consciously make that commitment to move beyond basic salvation and enter into true covenant relationships with Him. When we do, He will give us the strength, the knowledge, and the stamina to move continually forward. As we show that we can be faithful with one step, He will show us the next.

“The final step in the process of restoration is in the hand of the bridegroom alone. … [Marriage] is the ultimate fulfillment of all covenants. God’s goal for us is a marriage relationship with Himself, involving complete intimacy. Marriage is the renewed relationship He desires.”

(“Rediscovering the Hebrew Roots of our Faith”, Chapter 2)

God describes Israel as His bride in Isaiah 62:

Isaiah 62 (NKJV)
¹ For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
And her salvation as a lamp that burns.
² The Gentiles shall see your righteousness,
And all kings your glory.
You shall be called by a new name,
Which the mouth of the Lord will name.
³ You shall also be a crown of glory
In the hand of the Lord,
And a royal diadem
In the hand of your God.
⁴ You shall no longer be termed Forsaken,
Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate;
But you shall be called Hephzibah[Literally My Delight Is in Her],
and your land Beulah [Literally Married];
For the Lord delights in you,
And your land shall be married.
⁵ For as a young man marries a virgin,
So shall your sons marry you;
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So shall your God rejoice over you.

Jesus exemplified the service covenant in John 13 by washing the disciples’ feet. He was obedient to the Father even unto the death on the cross.  He taught the disciples,

“And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44-45) 

He exemplified the friendship covenant in John 15, when he called his followers friends if they obey his command to love one another as he has loved them.

John 17 pictures the inheritance covenant, where Jesus prays that believers would receive the love and see the glory that he shared with the Father before the foundation of the world.

Revelation 21 returns to the New Jerusalem, calling her the Lamb’s wife, coming down out of heaven as a bride adorned for her husband:

Revelation 21 (NKJV)
¹ Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

⁹ Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, ¹¹ having the glory of God.

In Revelation 22, the Spirit and the bride call out together for Jesus to come, and to all who are thirsty to come and drink of the water of life freely. You can be as close to God as you choose to be.

Revelation 22 (NKJV)
¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”
And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

David Krause, dhkrause@neteze.com, https://compellinglove.net/, 6/22/14