”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)

John the Baptist calls himself the “friend of the bridegroom,” who stands (at the door) and rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice.” John says that, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom,” and that is Jesus Christ. The friend of the bridegroom is known to us as “the best man.” The bride is the church, the Bride of Christ. What is happening is that John’s ministry prepared the way for that of Jesus. In fact, Jesus’ ministry was launched from the ministry of John. Andrew, his brother, Peter, and other disciples of Jesus were first disciples of John. To understand the significance of John’s wedding images, let’s look at the marriage as it was celebrated in first century Palestine.

There are similarities and there are differences between the wedding in Jesus’ time and our own. Last summer, I officiated at the marriage of my niece, my brother’s only child, in Charlotte, NC. It was an outdoor wedding with harps and flowers and everything was beautiful. But one thing was clear: This was the BRIDE’S big moment. She was dressed as a queen or princess and all eyes were upon her as she came down the aisle to the sound of music flowing through the garden. Now the groom, best man and I had to slip down through the bushes and be in place when the bride made her grand entrance. We were just sort of “there.” Months of preparation and many thousands of dollars went into making this moment glorious and dramatic.

A year or more had been spent in preparation for the wedding, which lasted less than an hour. By contrast, the weddings that Jesus attended lasted seven days or more. The bride, much like my niece, was dressed like a queen. Her hair was braided with as many precious stones as the family possessed or could borrow. But the groom was also dressed in much finery and precious stones. The bride and groom looked and acted like a king and queen, and they were treated as royalty for the occasion. It was designed to be the most memorable event of their lives. The bride was not “given away” by her father. The groom set out from his home to get the bride and bring her to his home. He was accompanied by the “friend.” The bride was wearing a veil.

At some point, the veil was taken off and laid on the shoulder of the bridegroom and the declaration was made:
“The government shall be upon his shoulders.” The prophet Isaiah writes: (Is. 9:6) “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
The reference here is to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. Back to our wedding:

The groom and bride and their party would set out for his home, and the way would be lit by friends carrying small oil lamps. Remember the parable of the wise and foolish virgins? They were waiting for the bridegroom. No one knew at what hour the bridegroom would come, so they would have to wait through the night. Those who had carried extra oil would have their lamps lit and go in with the party to the wedding. There was singing and music and dancing all along the way. Sometimes the bride, herself, would join in the dance. The Song of Songs speaks of this: It is called the “Dance of Two Camps,” meaning two families. The beloved says to the bride: “How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O Prince’s daughter.” The bride and groom entered under a canopy when they reached his house. This canopy is called a “Banner” in Song of Songs 2:4: “He brought me to the banqueting house. And his banner over me was love.” And the next verse speaks of the food at the banqueting house: “Sustain me with cakes of raisins. Refresh me with apples. For I am lovesick.” The wedding couple were a marvelous sight, one that would linger in memory. Jeremiah writes: “Can a virgin forget her ornaments? Or a bride her wedding dress?” Then the bride and groom would spend much time, days and days, presiding over the wedding feast.

At the wedding feast in Cana, Jesus provided 120 gallons of wine for the guests. The wine was so good that the Ruler of the Feast thought it a pity that such good wine was brought out toward the end. By this time, the guests had drunk so much, they would not appreciate the quality of the “new wine.”

Aside from having a good time eating and drinking, the main purpose of the guests was to witness that the marriage had been consummated. The job of the friend of the bridegroom was to stand at the door of the newly married couple and wait.
In time, the bridegroom would open the door and announce the joyful news that the marriage had been consummated and a new family had begun. Now we are ready to understand the words of John the Baptist: “…the friend of the bridegroom, who stands (at the door) and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. “ John is announcing that there is a new marriage between God and man, between Christ and his Church. The ministry of Jesus had begun. The ministry of Jesus would increase while that of John would decrease. John had done his work, he had accomplished his mission. He had prepared the way for Jesus. The heavenly bridegroom had come to claim his earthly bride. Apostle John writes in Rev. 19:7: ‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” And he writes: “The spirit and the bride say, ‘come.’ And let him who hears say, ‘come.’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” And Jesus, the bridegroom, answers, “Surely I am coming quickly.” “ Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Blessings in Jesus, Dr. Hammond

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