Magnify His Name
Why did John write his account of the good news of Jesus?
...that by believing you may have life in his name.
Finding Life in Magnifying Jesus
Fulfillment is found in Magnifying Jesus!
Meaning is found in Magnifying Jesus
The friend of the bridegroom, the shoshben, had a unique place at a Jewish wedding. He acted as the liaison between the bride and the bridegroom; he arranged the wedding; he sent out the invitations; he presided at the wedding feast. He brought the bride and the bridegroom together. And he had one special duty. It was his duty to guard the bridal chamber and to let no false lover in. He would open the door only when in the dark he heard the bridegroom’s voice and recognized it. When he heard the bridegroom’s voice, he let him in and went away rejoicing, for his task was completed and the lovers were together. He did not grudge the bridegroom the bride. He knew that his only task had been to bring bride and bridegroom together. And when that task was done, he willingly and gladly faded out of the centre of the picture.
Joy in Life comes from Magnifying Jesus
Cf. the rabbinical saying attributed to R. Acha (c. 320), “The Holy Spirit, who rests on the prophets, rests (on them) only by weight לקשׁמב (= by measure)” (SBk, II, p. 431). If this view is as early as the Fourth Gospel there may be in mind a deliberate contrast between Jesus and the prophets.