The Best Man

I was reading this familiar passage in the Gospel of John, and as often happens when we reread the Scriptures, it struck a new chord in me.

"Yochanan (John) answered..."You yourselves can confirm that I did not say I was the Messiah, but that I have been sent ahead of him. The bridegroom is the one who has the bride; but the bridegroom's friend, who stands and listens to him, is overjoyed at the sound of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine is now complete. He must become more important, while I become less important."  --John 3:28-30, Complete Jewish Bible

  I attended a wedding recently and thought about how honored people are when chosen to be the Best Man or Maid of Honor or even groomsmen or bridesmaid. It's usually (not always, I know) a demonstration of true friendship, of the special role someone has played in the life of the groom or the bride. One is so very glad to see that special friend entering into a new era of his life.  In some ways, it can also be bittersweet, however, because that friend will now have a new focus of her affection....

   As I read John's words, it struck me that we are all both Best Man and Bride to Yeshua, no matter our gender.  How privileged we are to serve in both roles. He, in turn, loves us as if we were the Only One...the one and only bride, the one Best Friend, and His focus is never turned from us.

   Some maids of honor and best men take their role very seriously. With a true servant's heart, they set about doing everything they can to lift up and honor the bride or groom, working behind the scenes to bless their friends. Their acts of service are often hidden from others. They commit themselves, not only for the events leading up to the wedding day, but also in the years to come...to be there, "come hell or high water," as the saying goes.

   Yeshua offers us all the role of Best Friend. Whether we receive the offer gladly, delighting (as John did) in the sound of His voice, is up to us. How much we foster that friendship is also up to us. He will come as close as we invite Him. He will share the deepest part of His heart if we spend significant time listening, as a true friend would. There's no other way to really get to know another to the point of intimate friendship, aside from reading his 'personal letters.' Doing all the talking won't do it. You learn very little about another by talking, unless you spend the greater amount of time listening to his response.

   Those who tend to read this blog are most likely His Friend already. May we be ever more so. May our hearts leap when we hear His voice. May we one day rejoice at His coming and gladly sit by His side at the Wedding Feast as He is honored above all others.