Day 7 - Tuesday, February 28
Title: THE BRIDEGROOM’S FRIEND
Scripture: John 3:22–36
After this Jesus went into the country of Judea with his disciples and stayed there with them while the work of baptism was being carried on. John, too, was in Aenon near Salim, baptizing people because there was plenty of water in that district and they were still coming to him for baptism. (John, of course, had not yet been put in prison.)

This led to a question arising between John’s disciples and one of the Jews about the whole matter of being cleansed. They approached John and said to him, “Master, look, the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the one you testified to, is now baptizing and everybody is coming to him!”

“A man can receive nothing at all,” replied John, “unless it is given him from Heaven. You yourselves can witness that I said, ‘I am not Christ but I have been sent as his forerunner.’ It is the bridegroom who possesses the bride, yet the bridegroom’s friend who merely stands and listens to him can be overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That is why my happiness is now complete. He must grow greater and greater and I less and less.

“The one who comes from above is naturally above everybody. The one who arises from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks from the earth. The one who comes from Heaven is above all others and he bears witness to what he has seen and heard—yet no one is accepting his testimony. Yet if a man does accept it, he is acknowledging the fact that God is true. For the one whom God sent speaks the authentic words of God—and there can be no measuring of the Spirit given to him! The Father loves the Son and has put everything into his hand. The man who believes in the Son has eternal life. The man who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; he lives under the anger of God.”

Poetry & Poet:  
“The New Birth”
by Jones Very

'Tis a new life;—thoughts move not as they did
With slow uncertain steps across my mind,
In thronging haste fast pressing on they bid
The portals open to the viewless wind
That comes not save when in the dust is laid
The crown of pride that gilds each mortal brow,
And from before man's vision melting fade
The heavens and earth;—their walls are falling now.—
Fast crowding on, each thought asks utterance strong
Storm-lifted waves swift rushing to the shore,
On from the sea they send their shouts along,
Back through the cave-worn rocks their thunders roar;
And I a child of God by Christ made free
Start from death's slumbers to Eternity.

THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM

Christ’s cousin, John the Baptist and Forerunner holds a unique place in preparing for the Messiah and testifying to salvation only in Him.  The preaching of John in this passage shows his own humility and unwavering service to the Son of God.

A contention develops between some disciples of John, (who have been loyally following him in his recognized work) and others who are attracted to and receiving baptism by disciples of Jesus. Perhaps it is envy or a sense of uncertainty being displayed at the “usurping” of John’s ministry by Jesus and followers at this point in time. The Forerunner’s call to repent and be cleansed in the waters as preparation for the Messiah’s coming is, in this passage, refocused on pointing to the God-Man Jesus as the supreme source of God’s wisdom and life. The one who comes from heaven is above all and of highest contrast to the one who is of the earth and speaks of earth.

John renounces all earthly glory and reputation in order to direct those with him to acceptance and faith in Christ. John elevates and expresses the uniqueness of Jesus, as God’s authoritative Word and Giver of Life, while lowering his own standing. “He must increase, but I must decrease,” (v. 30).  The Baptizer has previously said, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)

For the people of God, the bride John celebrates Christ as their bridegroom and identifies as the friend of the bridegroom who “stands and hears him” and whose joy is fulfilled. For those who have listened to John’s voice, this is a powerful, heartfelt personal testimony, that Jesus IS the One who brings completion of John’s vital groundwork. He wants to wholly transfer, solidify, and unify their commitment to the Lord, (Homilies 29, 30: St. John Chrysostom).

The painting, Theophany, suggests the mystery and interweaving of the visible and invisible in God ‘s plan of salvation. The face of John is juxtaposed with lively, colorful abstract designs. It indicates the cosmic repercussion of the Forerunner’s baptism of Christ, who enters the waters and is acknowledged by the Father God as His beloved Son, with the Spirit descending in the likeness of a dove (Luke 3:22). Water and light at play in the painting reflect the redemptive entry of the Lord into our humanity and fallen world. The text in the painting sums up the mission of Christ––the Word made Flesh. John’s ministry as a “voice crying in the wilderness” makes possible the softening of human hearts to respond and receive the Savior to rebirth us into His Life. The loving Christ’s first coming is not to judge, but to save the world (John 12: 47). John’s face also suggests Christ’s face. The gaze is steady and engages the viewer. John must fade as Christ is brought into the focal point. Anticipation of the chosen One has spanned many hundreds of years. Jesus’ cousin, John has offered exceptional service to God in calling the people to repent and open the way to restore their relationship with God.

A costly sacrifice is John’s end as he is beheaded by the ungodly Herod and Herodias. He precedes Christ in a martyric death. John’s greatness in those days can be seen as Herod subsequently suggests the possibility that Christ, increasing in high standing, could be John, resurrected from the dead.

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.' Others said, 'He is Elijah.' And still others claimed, 'He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.' But when Herod heard this, he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!'(Mark 6:14-16)

Sadly, Herod didn’t accept the holy prophet John’s message that Christ was the Supreme One, the One to hear and follow.

What are we to learn from the “friend of the bridegroom’s” example?  His was a life of dedication to God, forsaking of the world, seeking to know God’s ways and serve Him no matter what the cost. May we have the single-minded drive to achieve clarity as John did, recognizing the Messiah who holds everything in His hands and offers Eternal Life. May the “crown of pride” be laid in the dust (line 5,6 poem), may humility open the way to yielding to Christ God and His will. How are we hindering Christ in the work He wants to accomplish?  Can our joy be in hearing the voice of the bridegroom and entering into His great plan? Let us step forward to proclaim Christ as the One of unfailing love in whom we must be saved. 

In Christ, submitted to His divine rule, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our intended purpose from the days of our creation and re-creation can be carried forth. 

Please share in this prayer which echoes John, the Baptist, as voiced in Daugherty’s song.

     I must decrease, you must increase,
             Lord , I want more of you…
             Ignite us, revive us, unite us
             ‘Cause all we want is you.

“I believe O Lord, help thou my unbelief.”
Amen.

Beth Krammes
Alumna, Cook School of Intercultural Studies
Biola University

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