Thursday, March 17, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN: Isaiah 59-60
SCRIPTURE READING
John 3:27-30 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.”
John the Baptist was sent to prepare Israel for the coming Messiah by calling them to repentance (vs. 28). John clearly had an understanding of Jesus as the Bridegroom. The above verses are the first declaration in the New Testament of Jesus as the Bridegroom God. The context of this is when John’s disciples were concerned with issues related to purification or dedication to God (vs. 25) and the decrease of John’s ministry influence (vs. 26). Both are answered in seeing the God of burning desire. Jesus is not just a King who merely fills the function of a bridegroom. He is a bridegroom in the full essence of His personality. He feels, thinks, and acts as a bridegroom because He is a bridegroom forever. From ages past, the Father committed to give Jesus a Bride as His inheritance and Jesus was committed to purchase her on the cross.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. John said that a friend is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. How have you been doing lately when it comes to listening in prayer? Ask God to show you any barriers that may be keeping you from hearing His voice more clearly. Confess as necessary.
2. John also said, “He must become greater; I must become less”. Meditate on that verse for a moment. Ask the Lord to show you any hidden areas of pride in your life. Confess as necessary.
3. Spend some time thanking God that Jesus is both a King and a Bridegroom, that all He does is to fulfill this dual role. Ask God to give you a deeper understanding of these things.
