The beginning of His miracles John 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, John 2:2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2:3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." The occasion, was a social event and joy and merriment filled the air as would at a wedding Jesus’ Mother was there , and Jesus, both having been invited. The location was somewhat remote. In Cana, a small and insignificant town in the Galilee, far from Jerusalem. This was a traditional wedding, and lasted for daysThe Wine had been consumed. Why did Jesus ‘Mother seek him in this matter? What could he do? He had shown his special abilities in some ways, but not in physical miracles. Jesus can do all things, and surely as his mother, she knew he could take care of it. So she stated her case. Would the Joyous occasion be marred by this oversight, Was this too trivial a matter for Jesus to bother with?The wine of our joy often is exhausted before its time. Sometimes we want to share our joy and just at that moment, It is gone. The world has a way of doing that. It is when such moments as these occur that our faith is tested and our best effort comes to our rescue.Q.1 Just when everything is going well you are presented with distress, is that familiar?Q.2 And when that happens, haven’t we always had someone to whom we could turn?Q.3 Can you recall a time when such was the case in your life? Q.4 Hasn’t there always been that special someone you turned to?
The significance of insignificant eventsJohn 2:4 "Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come." John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." It is pretty obvious that Jesus is surprised by this occasion, and suggests that it’s not his problem. Is Jesus demonstrating his humanness at this point. We are not given any answers as right away Jesus had not yet started his ministry, and perhaps he wanted to keep a low profile. What are our conclusions? Why is this occasion worth our examination? It seems to me that although both she and Jesus knew he was a miracle worker, they both knew this instance was a minor situation and need not have been brought to him. She knew he could fix it. as did he also know . But do we? So often we deem our own problems beneath the care of Jesus, as if our situation were not worthy of his concern. His Mother knew him well enough to know, he can fix anything. No task is too trivial, no job too small, no problem to simple, that we make a decision to abort our praying to God about it. He actually does care about the trivialities and the mundane occurrences of our lives. Are we to Judge what he can and cannot handle? Let him be the judge of it. His mother issues instruction to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you. Then he does it, He works a perfect miracle.Q.1 Are we not to be concerned with our friends distress, should we help if asked?Q.2 How does it appear to you, did Jesus want to become involved or not?Q.3 Jesus had not really started his ministry, was it too soon, what do you think? Q.4 Is this seemingly incidental event meaningful in Jesus’ Ministry? Q.5 “Do whatever he tells you.” Does it apply to us in today’s world?
Pg.2
What Jesus Does
John 2:6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
John 2:7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
John 2:8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,
John 2:9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
John 2:10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
Jesus begins with materials which are already there, he makes use of what is available. So typical of God to use even the plainest of vessels, used for ordinary purposes. He then issues his instruction. Plain words and easily accomplished, nothing magical or mysterious. Just water, something easily available. Then with no special words he issues his instruction “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
A very simple and easily accomplished task. As all of his miracles are, just ordinary words used in ordinary circumstances to accomplish extraordinary results. The key to this miracle is obvious, every one did as he was told and the results were accomplished. If only it were always that easy.
Do we understand what Jesus has done in his first miracle? Jesus has brought God to the forefront without mention of his name. He has demonstrated the power, the love, and the compassion that seems to exude from those who are Godly, who do Godly deeds and act in Godly ways. He used not a single word or prompt which made anyone aware of the power of God in this act. God is in everything that exists, all matter, all time and all events. And what has God done in Jesus? The very least of our needs he cares for.
And he will do the work of our salvation with the ease and perfection of one who is perfect And who does perfect miracles. God has saved the best for last.
Q.1 Have you seen unbelievable illusions in magic acts?
Q.2 Does there always seem to be some special effect, a trick of sorts, ?
Q.3 What special effect does Jesus use in accomplishing this miracle? Is he in control?
Q.4 Why did this miracle seem to come off without a hitch?
Q.5 Read the first phrase in verse 7. Who are the servants?
Q.6 Read the last phrase in verse 10. What is most impressive about what Jesus did?
Pg.3
The effect Jesus Has on others
John 2:11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Joh 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
Having Jesus around and being in a close relationship with him began to tell the disciples something about who he was and what he was capable of. It perhaps came as a surprise to his disciples at this the first of his miracles, and most certainly it was a surprise to the banquet master. What Jesus could do and actually did would surprise many people in the days to come, But it did not take long for his disciples and his mother to realize what he could do.
Eph 3:9 and to bring to light what is the fellowship of the mystery which from eternity has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ;
Rev 4:11 O Lord, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.
Q.1 What is there about perfection that is so appealing?
Q.2 What is there about Jesus that is so perfect?
Q.3 What is God telling us with Jesus’ miracles?
Q.4 Will we see more of his miracles? And his healings? Will they be teaching moments?
Meditation: The Six Human Needs
(1)We want to be Loved. There is a still small voice in each of us, and it tells us when we are right and when we are wrong. We then recognize immediately the thoughts that we have as cooperative, compromising, selfish, or controlling, and each stems from a desire to be loved. And each thought seeks a reaction from us.
(2)We want recognition. This is reasonable only if the recognition is offered for the righteousness we represent. We desire stimulation, acceptance and new challenges, so we may prove ourselves in to our peers. If our desire is simply self serving, we are self defeating and are devoid of any righteousness. Then the recognition is just self gratification.
(3)We want to be heard. We want to make a contribution, we need a sense of service and focus on helping, giving to, and supporting others We want to think that our opinion counts. This is reasonable, provided that our opinion is offered in the sense of serving others. If otherwise, it is self serving, and will fail.
(4)We want to be needed. To have a feeling of self worth is significant. It is a matter of great concern to society when we are deemed worthless, We all need confirmation of our place in society. If that need turns to greed, avarice, power and possessions, it is self serving and is grossly misdirected
(5)We want time to ourselves. For private thought and meditation, this aids us in our growth. Time alone to speak with God, and to consider our soul’s worth helps us to cope with our daily needs and adds to our well being. If that time is spent in self gratifying thought and effort, scheming and plotting against something or someone it is misspent and will finally destroy us.
(6)And finally we want certainty. Relief from our cares and concerns. We need the assurance that we can avoid pain and gain pleasure We desire a safe, sound, and happy, existence. No one wants a life of grief and despair, hopelessness and discontent, ill health, or remorse for our mistakes. Having a healthy respect for the laws of nature and a regard for the laws of our land will greatly aid us in this respect. But a life built around the Godly principals of the Beatitudes, and the entire Sermon on the Mount, as given to us by Jesus Christ is the guide for all of life’s needs. Jesus is that still small voice,
We need to do whatever he tells us.
Opening Prayer
Jesus our savior, and our intercessor, we pray your blessing tonight, on this study. We pray that you would put the words and their meaning into our hearts and minds, those words that you would have us learn from this study. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight, contrary to thy will, and that all here will be subject to your guiding Spirit.
We ask your blessing on all families represented here tonight and bless all those who are in the thoughts and prayers of those who seek thee tonight. These things we ask in your Holy name Jesus, AMEN
This is the fourth study in our attempt to learn from Jesus’ ministry as he lived and taught it on this earth. It is our intention to learn the intricate and minute details of each event in his life with a teaching moment in it. There is no word he spoke and no act he committed that is not of paramount import to any who seek Jesus and his teaching.
We may also learn from his Disciples and others that followed him how their lives were changed by His words, acts, and deeds. What we hope to learn from this study is how to put into practice those things which are a demonstration of his love for his fellow man, and which glorify God through the life and times of God’s Son Jesus
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, God of our salvation. It is you through your Son Jesus who has made us and not we ourselves. We sometimes become so wrapped up in our own web of concerns that we forget that it is You through your Son Jesus who really is in control of our world of concerns. We pray that your loving concern for us will be such that we will learn to be attentive to the words of Your son Jesus and that we will listen to him. We are those servants Lord to whom the mother of Jesus speaks, and we pray that her words will guide us through this life and that we will indeed “do whatever he tells us”. In the Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN
Next week:
What God will do !
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