Reading this today, from a perspective of the whole story, we can see the parallel of Jesus as the heavenly bridegroom. There is a very real sense in which the life of the church is meant to model something of heaven on earth. Being a disciple of Jesus is not a compliment to being British or even C of E, it is a radical new identity. Salvation is not a patching up of an old garment but to receive a royal robe of righteousness, a seamless garment of eternal glory. Salvation is the best of all wines, the bringer not of the biggest hang-over you ever had but the fullest of everlasting joy.