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John 3:29...The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom
waits and listens for Him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice. That
joy is mine, and it is now complete. (NIV)
The "best man" in ancient times was one who assisted in planning, and arranging the wedding ceremony. It was a task that left no room for the drawing of attention to oneself, but focused purely on the needs of the future husband. John the Baptist remarked that he considered himself a "friend"( Philos...meaning to be actively fond) of Jesus, and found complete Joy in the prospect of properly uniting Christ with His church ("the Bride of Christ"). John's single passion was to make sure that nothing would compete with and be a distraction from the purposes of Gods kingdom. He pledged his life to prepare the way for Christ's coming. And His heart was such, that nothing else could fulfill this end purpose on Earth more, than to see Jesus glorified.
John 3:30..He must increase, but I must decrease.
The Apostle Paul is equally fervent when he speaks of this same calling of John's by saying..."For I am jealous over you with a Godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ". (2 Cor 11:2)
Even in the final arrangement of the New Heavens - New Earth there still seems to be this burden to sacrifice ones own self interests for the sake of Gods plan to have a people. Evangelizing the nations, Gods servants are seen making an offering to the Lord.
Isa 66:20....And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord. (NIV)
John's approach to serving Jesus was true humility. He demonstrated a genuine freedom from arrogance - a freedom that grew out of a recognition that all He had, and was, came from God. This caused a desire in his heart to give what he was back to God, for true humility does not produce pride, but gratitude.
Let your joy begin and end in God. Don't let earthly joys replace the one who is the source of all celebration. We too can be Gods "best man". We can be a friend of God, taking an active part in His work, and making His joy ours as we prepare for the greatest "feast" ever, the "MARRIAGE FEAST".