Jesus Died for Her Beauty
- Message Excerpt by
- Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19 Topic: The Church
Audio Transcript
The ultimate aim of creation and redemption is guaranteed by the blood of Jesus — he calls it the blood of the covenant (Luke 22:20). At the cost of his life, Christ bought the beautification of his bride, and her beauty is her delight in him.
“At the cost of his life, Christ bought the beautification of his bride. And her beauty is her delight in him.”
We can see this in Ephesians 5:25–27. We so often read this in relationship to marriage — which it is of course — that the wonder of what it says about Christ and the church goes by a little too fast. So let’s take it as the consummation of the purpose of creation. “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her [that is, beautify her], so that he might present the church to himself in splendor.”
That’s the goal of creation. Everything was designed that the Son might purchase a bride — beautified in splendor — for himself, to the honor of his Father, in the power of the blood-bought Spirit. On behalf of his Father, Christ came to create a beautiful bride out of a hard-hearted rebel people — you and me.
This blood-bought, beautified bride will be God’s delight forever. What else does it mean when he says, “I want her to be beautiful when she comes to me”? Why? “I enjoy beauty. She’s going to be my joy forever. It’s what I’ve been about all these thousands of years.” And her splendor will be her delight in him forever.
So I close back in Deuteronomy 30:19–20: “Choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life.” That’s not too hard for you. It is only as hard as enjoying what is supremely enjoyable.
Look to him as your greatest Treasure, and he will do it.
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