The disciples saw Jesus as Conqueror of Rome.
Herod feared Him as King of Israel.
The high priests envied Him as Favorite of the People,
only John the Baptist called Him . . .
the Bridegroom.
In all the New Testament, there is only one who
names Him this . . . John, the wild prophet.
He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but
the friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly
because of the bridegroom's voice.
Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
John 3:29-30 NAS
This final prophet of Old Testament type,
served Christ, the Bridegroom, in unique understanding
of His search and desire for a worthy Bride.
John "stood" in abiding commitment ...
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The disciples saw Jesus as Conqueror of Rome.
Herod feared Him as King of Israel.
The high priests envied Him as Favorite of the People,
only John the Baptist called Him . . .
the Bridegroom.
In all the New Testament, there is only one who
names Him this . . . John, the wild prophet.
He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but
the friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly
because of the bridegroom's voice.
Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
John 3:29-30 NAS
This final prophet of Old Testament type,
served Christ, the Bridegroom, in unique understanding
of His search and desire for a worthy Bride.
John "stood" in abiding commitment to the Bridegroom.
John "heard" with deep comprehension,
the loneliness of the Bridegroom.
John "spoke" in the power of
his passion for Another's passion.
His voice and his message washed the sin-veil from the
eyes of the bride so she could see her
Bridegroom when He passed by.
And John took the selfless place as
friend of the Bridegroom.
Friend: whose entire life-joy was the
gladness of the Bridegroom,
whose goal was not his own alliance of love,
nor his own link to Jesus
but the purpose of Jesus' deepest heart,
that of gaining a Bride.
Many are those in self-centered service
for their idea of Christ's need.
Few are the friends of the Bridegroom
who by profound understanding of His purpose
want only His satisfaction
by the disregard of their own.
This then is my pleasure and joy,
and it is now complete.
John 3:29 Amplified Bible
The Love Search and the Patient Pursuit by
this Son of God for His redeemed Adam-Eve,
was John's utter experience of joy.
His personal fulfillment
rested on the Bridegroom's fulfillment.
For that John lived, and for that he died.
Copyright © 2002 Martha Kilpatrick
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