This past Sunday, my pastor referred to the passage in John 3:26-30 when John the Baptist called Jesus the Bridegroom.
John saw himself as merely a groomsman, ready to step aside when the groom took center stage.
God's people are called to be many things in the scriptures, including ambassadors, athletes, branches, children, disciples, evangelists, farmers, fishermen, holy nation, light, martyrs, masterpieces, overcomers, priests, runners, salt, servants, sheep, slaves, soldiers, temples, and watchmen. One that I have not thought much about is that of groomsman.
What does a groomsman do? How can that symbolize our relationship to Christ?
A Groomsman is there by invitation.
I've had the opportunity to see a few different weddings - including one in India. I've also been a Best Man and a groomsman on two different occasions. As a groomsman, I was always invited by the groom to serve in this capacity. It is an honor to be chosen for the role of groomsman.
Jesus invites his friends to serve and celebrate with him. Gratitude and humility should be our first response to his call. A sense of pride and entitlement looks bad on a follower of Jesus, as bad as lime green suit looks on a groomsman (when everybody else is wearing black).
A Groomsman is focused on the groom.
The focus of the groomsman is not on himself. There might be a minute or two in a ceremony when the onlookers listen to his toast or appreciate his attention seating them, but he always steps to background when the groom's moment has come.
Jesus should have the focus of our attention. We take our orders from Him. We are here at His pleasure. As onlookers notice that I am "fixing my eyes on Jesus" they will likely turn their eyes to the same focus.
A Groomsmen does what is asked of him.
A man, in this role, is honor-bound to look out for the interests of the friend about to be married. If I agree to be a groomsman, I do everything in my power to make the groom's day the very best it can be. As Best Man, I had a few highly respectable tasks. One was to hold the rings for the groom. Another was to keep a copy of my friend's personal vows. As a groomsman, I escorted guests to and from the ceremony. Sometimes, the tasks were more mundane. Pick up some ice. Move that table. Whether respectable or ordinary, each task is important because the groom desires it.
Jesus asks us to do certain things. Each is important, and the attitude with which we do them is critical. We are to do it and do it cheerfully. While everything Jesus says is important, it's critical to keep the emphasis right. Don't lose the ring while getting ice at the store!
Part 2 will continue exploring the idea of being a groomsman for Jesus.
John saw himself as merely a groomsman, ready to step aside when the groom took center stage.
God's people are called to be many things in the scriptures, including ambassadors, athletes, branches, children, disciples, evangelists, farmers, fishermen, holy nation, light, martyrs, masterpieces, overcomers, priests, runners, salt, servants, sheep, slaves, soldiers, temples, and watchmen. One that I have not thought much about is that of groomsman.
What does a groomsman do? How can that symbolize our relationship to Christ?
A Groomsman is there by invitation.
I've had the opportunity to see a few different weddings - including one in India. I've also been a Best Man and a groomsman on two different occasions. As a groomsman, I was always invited by the groom to serve in this capacity. It is an honor to be chosen for the role of groomsman.
Jesus invites his friends to serve and celebrate with him. Gratitude and humility should be our first response to his call. A sense of pride and entitlement looks bad on a follower of Jesus, as bad as lime green suit looks on a groomsman (when everybody else is wearing black).
A Groomsman is focused on the groom.
The focus of the groomsman is not on himself. There might be a minute or two in a ceremony when the onlookers listen to his toast or appreciate his attention seating them, but he always steps to background when the groom's moment has come.
Jesus should have the focus of our attention. We take our orders from Him. We are here at His pleasure. As onlookers notice that I am "fixing my eyes on Jesus" they will likely turn their eyes to the same focus.
A Groomsmen does what is asked of him.
A man, in this role, is honor-bound to look out for the interests of the friend about to be married. If I agree to be a groomsman, I do everything in my power to make the groom's day the very best it can be. As Best Man, I had a few highly respectable tasks. One was to hold the rings for the groom. Another was to keep a copy of my friend's personal vows. As a groomsman, I escorted guests to and from the ceremony. Sometimes, the tasks were more mundane. Pick up some ice. Move that table. Whether respectable or ordinary, each task is important because the groom desires it.
Jesus asks us to do certain things. Each is important, and the attitude with which we do them is critical. We are to do it and do it cheerfully. While everything Jesus says is important, it's critical to keep the emphasis right. Don't lose the ring while getting ice at the store!
Part 2 will continue exploring the idea of being a groomsman for Jesus.
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