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by Sandy Shaw
We have been reading in John Chapter 2, where Jesus Christ transforms that massive quantity of water into wine, and what Jesus does here stimulates faith. The disciples believed on Him.
The wedding guests never saw the miracle as far as we know. They were generally speaking like so many today. They were unaware of what can be happening when Jesus Christ is present.
Jesus did not just doctor up the water and make it taste like wine. He transforms water into wine. I have never seen water turned into wine but I have seen beer turned into tables and chairs!
The disciples saw what had happened. They got a glimpse of the glory of God, and they put their faith in Him.
They saw more than a miracle. They saw God’s glory. That is what we should look for every time we gather together – something of God’s glory – something of God’s love – something of God’s mercy and grace – something of His power.
Today, wherever you are, see something of His glory and something that will make you place and replace your faith in Jesus Christ. Did Jesus wait until all human resources had run out? There were no solutions. The situation needed a miracle!
The risen and living Lord Jesus Christ can transform frowns into smile and sorrows into joy and sin into grace and death into life. He takes cold stone pots that are filled and transforms the contents, and provides so generously.
Some 60 years later, John remembers this day so clearly, and John calls this miracle a sign. It is a sign and it is a sign post pointing to something else. It is no use just gazing at the sign. We must move on to where the sign is pointing us, and in this instance it is to faith in Jesus Christ. It points to the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and only God can create what is not there. Only God has the power and the ability to do this. Signs are graciously given, that men might believe. Jesus never did anything or spoke a word, unless there was an eternal significance and dimension. Has this generation run out of spiritual wine and out of joy and out of looking to God for help?
Glory is revealed that men might comes and put their faith in Jesus. The hour of Christ’s power is often revealed when we are helpless. Mary shows us what to do when questions or trouble or problems arise.
Jesus took what was common and we learn how he is able to change it all, when given the opportunity. Jesus is so unconventional here. To everyone else it was just wine, but to those who could see and understand something of the truth, it was a miracle.
This sign also pointed to the new things God was doing in the world. These were washing jars – symbols of outward washing – symbols of external ceremonies, formal rites and rituals. Jesus was giving wine for the inside.
Jesus Christ was taking the cold unexciting water of ritualistic religion and He was beginning to turn it into warm rich joyful wine. Jesus cares. He is concerned and interested, even when we may think he is not interested.
We are called to see beyond the sign – from water to wine – and duty to delight – obeying rules to rejoicing that Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord and Deliverer – from doing something that you’ve got to, to doing something because you want to.
There was the invitation. People had invited Jesus. If Jesus had not been invited to the wedding, there would have been no miracle. Note, the note of intercession! Mary prays. Here we see the power of a praying mother.
John remembered Cana. John certainly saw who Jesus was. And, the Holy Spirit wanted Cana recorded for all to read.
There is a parallel on the day of Pentecost. Jesus Christ poured out the Holy Spirit and filled the disciples in such a way, that those who laughed and mocked and ridiculed suggested that they were drunk with new wine.
Some regarded these disciples of Jesus who were praying and praising and worshipping as going too far. The master of the banquet in John Chapter 2, tasted the wine. We too must taste of Christ, and get others to taste too. “O taste and see that the Lord is good”, wrote the Psalmist.
The wine of Christ – yes, it is a sign of joy – yes, it is a sign of worship – yes, it makes us overflow – but it is also a sign pointing us to His blood. Those who rejoice greatly in the love of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit also carry a heavy cross – joy and suffering – rejoicing and tearfulness.
This will continue until that day when we sit down with Jesus Christ at the banquet at the marriage supper of the Lamb – and drink the royal wine – as we worship.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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