Complete Joy

"The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:29-30

In today's text, John the Baptist identifies himself as the bridegroom's friend (groomsman) and Jesus as the bridegroom. In this way, he identifies Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and King while humbly accepting his roles as Jesus' friend and servant, rejoicing with Jesus Christ. His well-known phrase, "Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease," explains how we receive God's pure joy, when Jesus increases in our lives, our joy increases!

James, the brother of Jesus, said,

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." - James 1:2-3

We can only count trials and troubles as joy when our joy comes from rejoicing with Jesus Christ as our bridegroom.

Dear Church, let us rejoice in the Lord by fully trusting in him with our lives. May he continue to increase in your life as you experience his joy.

Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10