The Bride of Christ

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.
John 3:29

John, the one who came to pave the way for Jesus, understood that He had to decrease when it was time for his cousin, Jesus to step up and take His position as the Lamb of God. 

We looked to the friend of the bridegroom if we needed to know where the bridegroom was or had a question for the groom.  At my daughter's wedding, I needed to tell the bridegroom something but couldn't find him, but then I saw the friend...the best man who was able to answer my question.  The bridegroom had gone off somewhere, but his friend remained as a sign that he was coming back. We knew if we saw the friend of the bridegroom, that the groom was near or that he had left his friend to stand in his place until he arrived.   So the Holy Spirit is to us; He stays with us as a guarantor, helper and confidant in place of bridegroom until His ultimate return.

Brides take many pictures with many poses, but the most beautiful poses to me are the unexpected photos that not only capture the outer beauty of a woman, but her inner beauty.  The joy that's within her can show up on a photograph.  It's those pictures that are usually near and dear to our hearts.  God desires for us to come real with Him   Not fake praise or impressive prayers, but sincere words from the depths of our hearts. We can stand real before Him; expressing those things that are deep within our soul, to a God who cares and love us.   The Bride of Christ is so beautiful to Him. 

Just as there is much preparation for a natural wedding, there should be much preparation for the spiritual wedding.  Do you  have enough oil?  Just as a natural bride try to shed a few pounds before the big day,  are you shedding the sins that tarnish your gown?  Much concern is made about the hairstyle or head dress for the natural bride, but are you keeping your head clear of negative thoughts or covered your head with salvation?  Oh my, what shoes should I wear on my feet?  Shod them with the gospel of peace.  Wedding belts are fashionable today, but the bride of Christ's waist should be wrapped with the belt of truth and as it is with the natural bride, her chest may be covered with lingerie, but the spiritual bride is covered in righteousness.

The friend of the bridegroom stands proudly next to his friend as they make final conversation that the time is finally here to behold his bride and that the bridegroom who is anxiously awaiting to see his bride is now ready.  She too is ready to to meet him at the sound of the music, which is her sign to come through the open door all adorned in beauty, to meet him. Both the bridegroom and the friend of the bridegroom smile as the bride make her way toward the groom.  The beautiful bride comes down the isle and the bridegroom steps away from His friend and into the life of the bride forever.  Jesus is coming soon...