October 9 Gospel Signs

John 2:1-17 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 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 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.” 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
 
JESUS’ first miracle has several images of the gospel’s message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
   First, Jesus, the son of Mary, begins his work as the Son of God. Five times in John, Jesus says, “My time has not yet come.” to affirm his work was in the Father’s will, not his. The gospel is a message of submission to the Father’s will.  
   Second, the wedding ceremony illustrates the good news of our relationship with Christ. As we are saved, we become the church, the bride of Christ. Jesus died to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:26) Marriage illustrates a holy union between himself and all saved into his church universal.
   Third, the gospel is seen in the wedding as a prolonged feast. From the beloved Psalms 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…my cup overflows. And then to Jesus’ promises the eternal feast Mark 14:25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” our eternal life is joyful celebration.
   Fourth, Jesus uses the ceremonial washing vases for the wine. To put anything but water in these would make them impure for the Jewish purification rites. But through the gospel of grace, such practices are now void. Jesus is the Living Water.
   Fifth, Jesus reveals God’s grace of forgiveness. Moses turned water into blood to reveal God’s judgment, Jesus turned water into wine to show us God’s joy! His first miracle is his grace poured out on us. Jesus is the Word who created the world. He turns water into wine each agricultural season. But now he has done so in an instant. Void to beauty, death to life with a word, God’s power has come to earth. The glory of the Lord has been revealed. The disciples, Mary and the world have their first full view of Jesus.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father for your transforming gospel. Amen.