The Bride of Christ (Lesson 1 The Bridegroom: Sacrificial Love)

Over the course of this study, we will look at the Characteristics of the Bridegroom, the Characteristics of the Bride, and the Purpose of the Bride (Body of Christ/Church). 

I have been challenged to break this study into smaller bites and to add questions for reflection at the end of each lesson.  My prayer is that by taking smaller pieces we will have more time for reflection and introspection.    

We cannot study the Bride of Christ without first looking at the Bridegroom. 

Characteristic Number 1: The Bridegroom Demonstrates Sacrificial Love for His Bride. 

Webster 1828 dictionary defines sacrificial as: performing sacrifice; included in sacrifice; consisting in sacrifice. It defines love as to be pleased with; to regard with affection. 

Based on the definitions given above our working definition of sacrificial love is demonstrating pleasure in and affection for others at great cost/sacrifice to/of oneself.  

First, sacrificial love is a giving love.   

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

Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

Ephesians 2:4-5, But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).  

1 John 4:9-10, In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

Our relationship with Jesus is not based on our love for him but on his love for us!! 

“The extent of His love is shown by the fact that He gave His only begotten Son. God has no other Son like the Lord Jesus. It was an expression of His infinite love that He would be willing to give His unique Son for a race of rebel sinners.”i 

Secondly, sacrificial love requires intentional action. 

John 15:13, Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.   

Philippians 2:7-9, But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name, which is above every name. 

“Jesus laid down his rights, his privileges, humbled himself even to the point of death - death on a cross, so that he could make his enemies his friends.” ii 

Jesus was intentional in his decision to give his life for us!   

John 10:17-18, Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I received this command from My Father.” 

Finally, sacrificial love is serving love.  

Philippians 2:6-7, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. 

Matthew 20:28, even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. 

John 13:5, After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was wrapped. 

Jesus put the needs of others before his own needs.  He thought of others ahead of himself.   

“Jesus, the Son of God, the Most High King, Lord of Lords, never placed himself in a position above others. He led by serving, and He loved by serving. He washed feet. He fed thousands. He walked to visit and heal the sick and dead. He stopped to touch and heal a sick woman. He spent time with those no one else cared to spend time with.”iii 

Questions for reflection: 

  1. God gave his very best for me, do I give him my best? 

  1. Am I intentional in my relationship with Jesus? If not, how can I become intentional 

  1. Do I see myself as a servant or one who needs to be served?  


  3. Note: All Scripture references are from the MEV unless otherwise specified.


  5. Works Cited:

  6.  i Believer's Bible Commentary Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald.

  7. ii https://www.provroanoke.org/blog/sacrificial-love

  8. iii https://newspring.cc/articles/following-the-example-of-jesus#:~:text=In%20John%2013%3A15%2C%20Jesus,lead%20and%20serve%20one%20another.

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