"Best Man!"

When you think of brides, what is the picture that comes to mind? Do you picture a women, in all her beauty, walking down the aisle? Is it hard to picture anything more beautiful than a woman adorned in a flowing white gown, stutter-stepping toward the front of a crowded auditorium?

I’ve attended lots of weddings. I’ve been a member of the wedding party. I’ve performed many wedding ceremonies. I have watched those assembled wait in great anticipation for the point at which the bride would come through the door and begin the long walk up the aisle. I even got married once myself. I remember waiting next to my selected “best man” (and the rest of our wedding party) for the doors at the back of the auditorium to open and my bride to walk in with her arm hooked in the arm of her father. However, as my bride came down the aisle, she did not have her eyes on my friend, but she focused on me as the “best man” as I was focused on her as the best lady. She was not the bride of the witnesses. She wasn’t the bride of the ushers. She wasn’t the bride of the minister. And I wasn’t going to let my “best man” have her. She belonged to the BRIDEGROOM and we were prepared to enter into a lifelong commitment. After thirty plus years she is still the love of my life. I am her husband and she is my wife. We belong to each other.

As John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus and was told that many were going over to Him, John rejoiced. He wasn’t concerned about losing his following, because it was the Christ Who was to be exalted. ( John 3:26-28) John knew who the truly “best man” was and faithfully directed others toward Jesus.

John stated…
“(29) THE ONE WHO HAS THE BRIDE IS THE BRIDEGROOM. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. (30) HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE.” ( John 3:29-30 ESV)

Does the world see us as the church, the Bride of Christ? ( Revelation 19:7; 21:2 & 9; Ephesians 5:23 & 32) Are we conducting ourselves in a manner that draws attention to the BRIDEGROOM and our proper connection with Him? The church does not belong to the congregation. They are merely it. Neither does the church belong to the elders. They are its shepherds. The church also does not belong to the minister. His role is that of a servant to teach and help equip the church for working and maturing in Christ. The church must be seen as belonging to Christ. The relationship should be seen as one of lifelong commitment to Him; an inseparable union marked by faithfulness, joy, and steadfast love.

Paul emphasized this relationship when he focused away from himself to the connection of those he had taught and drawn to Christ.
“I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I BETROTHED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, to present you as a pure virgin TO CHRIST.” ( 2 Corinthians 11:2 ESV)

The Greek, translated “betrothed” is “harmozo” from which we get our English word “harmony”. It is also translated “espoused” (KJV) and “promised” (NLT), with the Greek word literally meaning to fit or join and as used by Paul here signifies marrying or giving in marriage.

Jesus still has His loving eye on His church. She is very precious to Him. He gave Himself for her. ( Ephesians 5:25-27) Are we being faithful to the relationship? May we continue to view Him as the “best man” -- He being the Son of man and Son of God -- acknowledging it is not “until death do us part”, but rather for a glorious eternity.

Have a great day FOCUSED ON JESUS AS THE LOVE OF OUR ENTIRE BEING!
Carl

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