Reading: John 3:26-30, 26They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." 27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.
Have you ever been a groomsman in a wedding? Your job was to be near the groom, to help him with whatever he needed until the wedding was completed. You were also a witness as the groom claimed his bride.
Picture this scene. The bride is walking down the aisle with her eyes on your friend, the groom. Suddenly she trips over her dress and crashes into a chair, ripping her dress. Humiliated, she starts to cry. The groom steps toward her. Meanwhile, you rush down the aisle, pick her up, and try to fix her dress. You are so focused on the poor bride, you don't realize you are actually blocking the way for the groom to reach his bride to help her. You are in the way.
The Bible describes Jesus as a bridegroom and his church (or his followers) as the bride. When we try to influence our family or friends to follow the Lord, we also become a groomsman, a friend of the groom. Unfortunately, like in the story, our efforts to help people in need can distract them from their best source of help--Jesus. We don't mean to, but we can keep the focus on ourselves and be in the way of God.
What kind of a groomsman are you?
Do you rush in to rescue hurting people, or do you first listen for the bridegroom and wait for his directions?
REVIEW
How were you able to demonstrate your role as a groomsman today, if so, how?
How did it impact your view of the bride and the bridegroom?
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