Read: John 3:22-36; Revelation
19:6-9; Matthew 25:1-13
After His
encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus, and His followers again cross paths with
Jesus' cousin, John the Baptizer. This was an especially significant moment for
the Gospel writer who had, until recently, been one of "the
Baptizer's" disciples. As Jesus' fame grew, others also left John to
follow Jesus. When some of the Jews with John pointed this out, John's humility
is once again on display.
The Baptizer
describes his role as that of a best man at a wedding. The best man is an
important part of the marriage ceremony. He plays a significant role in the
life of the groom. He is the primary witness to the wedding ceremony. It is an
honor to serve as someone's best man. It is not, however, the most important
role in the wedding. It doesn't even come in second. There are two people far
more important: the bride and groom. Without them, there would be no wedding.
The Gospel writer, John, will return to this analogy in his final work, the
Revelation, where he describes the church as "the bride of Christ."
An analogy he no doubt learned from his former teacher, John the Baptizer.
John the
Baptist states a simple yet profound truth: “The bride belongs to the
bridegroom.” Those of us who serve in the local church would do well to
remember that. The church does not belong to the pastor or a group of elders or
deacons. She is not the possession of a board or a presbytery or even of her
members. The church belongs to her groom, Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who has
purchased her and rescued her. It is Jesus who will cleanse her and prepare
her, and it is Jesus who must build her and lead her. “He must become greater;
I must become less.”
Our
responsibility is to be faithful attendants at the wedding. We are witnesses
for the groom and caretakers of His bride. While we play a significant role, it
is a role that would not exist without the bride and groom.
Righteous Groom,
Thank You for allowing me to serve as a witness and caretaker of Your bride. May I, like John, continue to diminish in the sight of those attending the wedding so they may see You and Your love for Your bride, the Church.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment