Now there were six
stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding
twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with
water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw
some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the
master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it
came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the
feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine
first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept
the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in
Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him (John 2:6-11).
The
wedding reception was going strong but one of the most important elements of
the party had run out. We’re not told how many at the party noticed it but the
Spirit moved John to record that Jesus’ mother brought the report to Him… “They
have no wine” (John 2:3). After a short reply to His mother that
implied that solving this physical problem would not effectively accomplish any
great spiritual purpose, Jesus went right to work to create and present a
precious wedding gift to the happy couple and their guests. He ordered the
servants to fill some very special stone water jars to the brim
with water. Then he ordered the servants to take some to the master of
the feast. We’re not told when it happened. The Teacher does not reveal
if the miracle happened in the stone jars, on the way to the master of
ceremonies, or in his mouth as he tasted it, but somewhere along the way, the
water became wine. And the expert, the master of the feast, testified
that it was not ordinary wine, but it was good wine. He was
surprised that the good wine showed up later in the feast. With His
servant-like response to the need for wine at this wedding in Cana of Galilee,
Christ manifested his glory and revealed the truth that though
the sensual, material joys of this temporal life will not endure, the blessings
of life in Christ are excellent and eternal. In Christ, the best will last.
Everyone
loves a party. Everyone wants to feel good. If we could, we would make all of
life a great party. The Spirit of Truth moved David to record that this longing
we have inside us for fulfillment and joy was placed there by our loving creator
who made us to long for the fulfillment and joy that comes from fellowship with
Him… “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is
fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Although we live in a fallen world this longing for fulfillment and joy is
still there inside us. People are searching everywhere for contentment and
satisfaction. They indulge in every kind of material and emotional pursuit that
promises to meet this deep need. But it always falls short. It’s never enough
and it always runs out. Our Teacher gives truth seekers a very clear warning to
avoid seeking lasting joy and fulfillment in anything in this temporal world… “Do
not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of
the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father
but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires,
but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
When we
consider and compare the truth about Jesus that is revealed in today’s
scripture we are compelled to look away from the world and only to Him for real
lasting joy and fulfillment. The Spirit uses the pen of John to remind us here
of the truth that Jesus who transformed the water into wine is the Word
that created water from nothing… “In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was
made” (John 1:1-3). This first miracle confirmed that real life is
available in Christ… “In him was life, and the life was the light of men”
(John 1:4). Jesus later confirmed this truth… “I came that they
may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
As we grow
up into Christ we experience and want to share the lasting joy we've found
in Him because we've learned that only in Christ…
The Best Will Last.
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