Getting to Know Jesus by Name #9: Bridegroom

John 3:29 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John the Baptist had done his job. He had been sent to prepare the way for and introduce the Bridegroom. The picture of a Bridegroom, of course, is of a man had just gotten married or was about to be married.*  Jesus later used this same imagery of Himself in Mark 2:

19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 

The Bridegroom has come to claim His Bride. His first coming was to propose to His Church. For those who have accepted His offer, He will come again to take us to our new home. How excite are we for Him to return?