White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

Chapter 5
Friend of the bridegroom
 (John 3:29)

John 3:29:
He that hath the bride is the
bridegroom: but the friend of the
bridegroom, which standeth and
heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because
of the bridegroom's voice: this may
joy therefore is fulfilled.

     "The friend of the bridegroom" was the person selected by the bridegroom to conduct the marriage negociations on his behalf. It was the friend that carried messages between the bridegroom and the bride during the time of betrothal.
     As a part of the marriage ceremony the Bridegroom would speak the words of John 14:1-4 to his bride.

John 14:1-4:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye
believe in God, believe also in me.

In my father's house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself, that where I am,
there ye may be also.

And whither I go ye know, and the
way ye know.

 

     The bridegroom would then leave for one to two weeks to prepare a room off the side of his fathers house for him and his bride. When the bridegroom was ready to return, the "friend of the bridegroom" would eagerly announce the coming of the bridegroom for his bride. John the Baptist did this very thing, "announcing Jesus Christ as the bridegroom returning for his bride, the church."
     Since the services of the "friend of the bridegroom" only occupied a short time, so John the Baptist's mission would soon be over: therefore verse 30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
     We too must learn from the example of the orientalism  and announce the return of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. He's coming back!

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