JOHN CHAPTER 2
Read: John 2:1-12 & 20:30-31
Chapter 2 opens with Jesus’ earliest recorded miracle. John calls this “the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory” (John 2:11). As mentioned yesterday, John’s gospel contains seven such signs. The seven signs are included for two reasons: one; so readers will believe that Jesus is the Messiah; and two, that by believing this, they will have life in Him (John 20:30-31).
I have always been fascinated by Jesus' reluctance to perform this "party trick." I remember as a child hearing a Sunday school lesson based on this story. The point of the lesson was that "even Jesus obeyed his mother." I didn't like that lesson. Not because I didn't like Jesus, but because I wasn't convinced that my mother was always right. (As I've gotten older, I realize my mom was right most of the time!) While this may have been Jesus' first public miracle, Mary's confidence in His ability to fix the problem may reveal that she had already witnessed her son's "special" abilities. John admits he was selective in choosing the miracles he recorded. He says, "If every one of them were written down … even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25).
Because this first sign lacks the "pizzazz" of His latter miracles, it may be tempting to brush past it. That would be a mistake. That Jesus' first public miracle involved wine is no accident. This miracle is key to understanding the direction John's gospel will take. It beautifully foreshadows events to come. Jesus will later compare the wine the disciples drink during the Passover meal to His blood. Blood which He says will be poured out for the sins of the world. Like the grapes used to make wine, Jesus' body would be crushed. Like the fermentation process, Jesus would lie dead for a period, and like the sweet rewards of "the best wine," saved for last, Jesus would be resurrected at the end of three days.
Jesus' command to the servants to fill the empty stone jars with water is the same command He gives to each of us. As we allow His Spirit to fill us, our empty hearts of stone become the place where God's miracle of new life begins (see Ezekiel 11:19 & 36:26). Perhaps today you feel cold and empty. Jesus can perform the miracle you need, just ask His mom.
Read: John 2:1-12 & 20:30-31
Chapter 2 opens with Jesus’ earliest recorded miracle. John calls this “the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory” (John 2:11). As mentioned yesterday, John’s gospel contains seven such signs. The seven signs are included for two reasons: one; so readers will believe that Jesus is the Messiah; and two, that by believing this, they will have life in Him (John 20:30-31).
I have always been fascinated by Jesus' reluctance to perform this "party trick." I remember as a child hearing a Sunday school lesson based on this story. The point of the lesson was that "even Jesus obeyed his mother." I didn't like that lesson. Not because I didn't like Jesus, but because I wasn't convinced that my mother was always right. (As I've gotten older, I realize my mom was right most of the time!) While this may have been Jesus' first public miracle, Mary's confidence in His ability to fix the problem may reveal that she had already witnessed her son's "special" abilities. John admits he was selective in choosing the miracles he recorded. He says, "If every one of them were written down … even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25).
Because this first sign lacks the "pizzazz" of His latter miracles, it may be tempting to brush past it. That would be a mistake. That Jesus' first public miracle involved wine is no accident. This miracle is key to understanding the direction John's gospel will take. It beautifully foreshadows events to come. Jesus will later compare the wine the disciples drink during the Passover meal to His blood. Blood which He says will be poured out for the sins of the world. Like the grapes used to make wine, Jesus' body would be crushed. Like the fermentation process, Jesus would lie dead for a period, and like the sweet rewards of "the best wine," saved for last, Jesus would be resurrected at the end of three days.
Jesus' command to the servants to fill the empty stone jars with water is the same command He gives to each of us. As we allow His Spirit to fill us, our empty hearts of stone become the place where God's miracle of new life begins (see Ezekiel 11:19 & 36:26). Perhaps today you feel cold and empty. Jesus can perform the miracle you need, just ask His mom.
Jesus,
I know You are the great miracle worker. I invite You to work Your miracle in me. Fill my heart of stone with Your spirit. Renew me from within. Thank You for Your sacrifice of love and how it has the power to convert my emptiness into Your fullness.
No comments:
Post a Comment