The Bridegroom’s Friend (John 3:29)

 


Friday, January 3, 2025


Psalms 36; 57

Isaiah 33:1-16

John 3:22-36


The Bridegroom’s Friend (John 3:29)


St John has done such a good job of writing his gospel – if we pay attention to today’s passage, we see that he is giving us a chance to do some revision. Before we move on to the next chapter, we should take this opportunity for our souls to marinade in the heavenly truths we have learned so far.


John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said “among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater” (Matthew 11:11) has one job in life: to point people to Jesus. And this Jesus is the Great Bridegroom, come to celebrate the feast of his marriage with his church. This marriage is the promise made long ago, of which one of the symbols is the bronze serpent in the wilderness with Moses. Whoever trusts in Jesus is a guest at this feast, and the invitation is sent by none other than Holy Spirit himself.


Wrapped up in all this is a temptation, highlighted in the conversation amongst the Baptist’s disciples: everyone is leaving to go and be with Jesus instead. It is the ancient temptation, the original sin: to be jealous of God, and to want to take his place.


But not only is John the Baptist unphased by this temptation, he flips it on its head: he is actually happy that Christ is exalted over him, because it means the party can finally begin.


How willing are we to see ourselves decrease? Does it help to know that this is the way in which Christ may increase? And are we disobeying the Son, with the wrath of God remaining on us? Or are we believing in the Son, and having eternal life?


You whom God has sent, who utters the words of God, who has the Spirit without measure: show us how we may decrease, so that you may increase, for you are from above, and above all.

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