Being a Friend of the Bridegroom

This phrase “friend of the Bridegroom” has been a popular phrase throughout the house of prayer movement over the last 20+ years. The phrase comes from John the Baptist in the Gospel of John:

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. He must increase, but I must decrease. -Jn. 3:29-30 NKJV

John calls himself “the friend of the bridegroom” in context to Jesus’ ministry increasing and thus his ministry is dissolving and about to become nothing; it is here that John’s joy is greatest. To be a friend of the bridegroom is to rejoice when Jesus may use other people more than ourselves, and yes even prefer it when Jesus choses to exalt others higher than ourselves.

At times in our lives we may witness God’s hand resting uniquely on someone else’s life or on some other ministry, and it’s in these times that enemy seeks to create as spirit of competition or jealousy among brothers and sisters in the Kingdom. So we may say things in our heart like “I can’t believe that church is growing and our church isn’t” or “I can’t believe God is using that person and not me” I have seen many people treat ministry as a ladder to be climbed; being willing to disrupt the influence of another ministry or step on top of another brother if it means they get to the top. I believe God is wanting to raise up “friends of the bridegroom” who do care nothing about their own personal fame or reputation and care only about Jesus’ fame and reputation wherever and whoever He choses to move on.

Beloved, let us pursue this selfless and humble heart posture above all else in our lives. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, ESV)

-Stephen Alksne, HoPE Staff Team

(Photo by Chris Flexen on Unsplash)