Devotionals by Dr. M. Craig Barnes
I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. --
I go to a lot of weddings. Not once have I seen the best man nudge the groom out of the way so he could take the vows instead. It's inconceivable. The best man's role is never more than to stand there, just out of the spotlight, and grin ridiculously because he is so happy for his friend, the groom. So the job title is misleading. He isn't the best man at all. The groom has that honor, and it would really mess up the wedding if anyone is unclear about that.
When the disciples of John the Baptist complained that all his followers were going to Jesus, he told them that nothing could make him happier. "After all," John said, "I'm just the friend of the groom." Then the ridiculous grin probably appeared on his face. The Messiah had finally come.
Your ability to really enjoy the ceremony called life is directly related to knowing your role in it.
You're not the star. Not even of your own life. Every time you have tried to nudge Jesus out of the way in order to make yourself the star, you've only made a mess of the whole ceremony. Right? But when you step just out of the bright spotlight, it is easier to see that our Savior is standing right next you, vowing that he is dying to love us. Now you can start grinning again.
-- Craig Barnes