Charles Spurgeon provided a gem of a thought in this morning’s (July 22) morning meditation in Morning and Evening based on Jeremiah 3:14, “I am married unto you.” First he sets forth the wondrous fulfillment of the marriage reality in the eternal union between Christ and His people.

…for in Heaven Christ and His Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials.  This affinity as it is more lasting, so is it more near than earthly wedlock.  Let the love of husband be never so pure and fervent, it is but a faint picture of the flame which burns in the heart of Jesus.

And then is glorious concluding sentence!

Passing all human union is that mystical cleaving unto the Church, for which Christ left His Father, and became one flesh with her.

What struck me as exceedingly glorious about this statement is the amazing love that drove Christ to leave His Father and cleave unto His bride and become one flesh with her.  So often it seems like the motivating purpose of Christ’s coming is divine election (rightly so!) and the way Spurgeon articulates it highlights divine affection and the union that was consummated.  It is not a better way of phrasing it, but it struck me as particularly edifying.