Believe In Miracles But Trust In GodJohn 2:1-11
Do you believe in miracles? I believe in miracles. I really do. I think those who have a problem with miracles have a problem with God. If you accept what Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." You should have no problem believing in God's power to do the miraculous.
A pastor's son asked: "Daddy, do you really believe that a fish could swallow a man and keep the man alive inside for three days and three nights?" The wise father replied, "Son, if God could make a man out of absolutely nothing to begin with, and if God could create the first sea creatures from absolutely nothing, don't you think He would have the power to make a fish that could swallow a man and keep him alive for three days and nights if He wanted to?" The little boy said, "Well , if you're going to bring God into it, that's different."
I believe in miracles because I believe in God.
The four Gospels record thirty-five "miracles" of Jesus Christ. John says that he recorded particular miracles of Jesus in order to illustrate God's great salvation. He says that these miracles were written to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that believing you might have life through his name. (John 20:30-31)
The miracles which Jesus performed have a deeper meaning than meeting just a physical need. The miracles of Jesus are great illustrations of His desire and ability to meet our spiritual needs. The Lord's miracles come with a message.
Let's look at the very first miracle of Jesus.
1. JESUS CARES ABOUT YOU (v.1-2)
The scene of Jesus' first miracle was a wedding. Jesus and his disciples had been invited to attend. Mary, the mother of Jesus was there (v.1). I find interesting that John tells us who some of the quests were, but he does not tell us the identity of the bride and groom. Perhaps John did not even know their names. They lived in a small unimportant place. They were just ordinary, common people.
Think about it, Jesus was ready to begin his public ministry, yet he took the time to attend a wedding. I believe Christ's presence at this wedding reveals to us His heart. It reminds us that He truly cares about ordinary people like you and me. He is concerned about the everyday issues of our lives.
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities". Regardless of who you are or what your circumstances are, Jesus cares about you.
That's a fact.
2. JESUS IS ABLE TO MEET YOUR NEED
In Jesus' time wedding celebrations lasted as long as a week. We do not know how long this celebration had been going on, but we do know that it could have come to an embarrassing conclusion. According to verse 3, Mary, the mother of Jesus learned that some of the refreshments had run out. There was no more wine, and she comes and tells Jesus. In essence, Mary is saying to Jesus, do something about this situation.
What Jesus said, was not merely responding to what Mary said with her lips, but also what she was saying with her heart. Jesus Christ was born in a miraculous manner. Jesus was a miracle baby, he was born without an earthly father . Mary knew who Jesus Christ really was. She was anxious for Jesus Christ to do something to demonstrate to the people that He was the Son of God himself. She comes to Jesus and she says they have no wine, expecting Jesus to do something to show who he was.
Notice what Jesus says, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." (v.4) Jesus in no way is not being disrespectful here. In fact when Jesus was on the cross dying for the sins of the world he looked at his earthly mother and he said, "woman behold thy son pointing to John and then he said to John, son behold thy mother." The word "woman" was an expression of respect.
Jesus tells her, "mine hour is not yet come." Now as you go through the gospel of John you will find this phrase occurring over and over again. Several times Bible says his hour was not yet come. They sought to make him a king and yet he would not let them because his hour was not yet come. When they tried to arrest him and kill him and the Bible says they could not because his hour was not yet come. John 17, He looks up to the Father and he says , Father, the hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified. The first time he referred to the hour was to his earthly mother, the last he referred to his hour was to his heavenly Father.
When Jesus talked about his hour, he was referring to that hour when he would shed his blood for our sins. So Jesus is saying to his mother...it is not my miracles that people need to see, it is the shedding of my blood on the cross of Calvary. It is not the miracle of Cana that saves you and me. Our greatest need is the miracle of Calvary.
Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood for the sins of the world. That was the hour of all hours. Jesus must not be rushed. Jesus Christ was not operating in an earthly time zone. Eastern, Central Standard Time, Mountain, Nor Pacific. Jesus operates and lives on Eternal Standard Time.
Mary turns to the servants in verse 5 and she says, "whatsoever he saith unto you do it." I like that. She was saying to the servants we'll just leave this situation up to Jesus. Whatever Jesus wants to do about it, do it.
We would all do well to follow Mary's instructions to the servants. "Do whatever He tells you." Are you willing and ready to do whatever he says? No one knew what Jesus was going to do but Mary was content to leave everything in the Lord's hands. She was willing to trust that Jesus could meet the need however he saw fit.
Be willing to take your situation to Jesus and leave it to Him. You will find that He is able to meet your need. Look and see what Jesus does.
First Jesus tells the servants to... fill the water pots with water, and they filled them up to the brim. Then tells them to draw water out of the pots and take to the governor of the feast. Jesus transformed the water to wine.
This passage has been the standard argument for many years on the part of those who want to justify social drinking. I do not believe that Jesus was making a statement for or against drinking wine. I do know a lot of homes and families have been broken and ruined because of alcohol. Our purpose is not to teach on temperance.
In fact Jesus completely short-circuited the whole process. Jesus made this wine without even going through a grape. He went from water straight to wine. Jesus changed this water into the most delectable drink that any person will ever drink. I would love to be able to get a gallon or two of this wine!
The point is... Jesus met the need. Jesus transformed water into wine. Jesus is in the transformation business!
Illustration:
There was an infidel in a public place ridiculing the miracles of the Bible.
He said whoever heard of Jesus turning water into wine. A man known by all
of the people said, sir can I say something. He said, "Sir I don't
know much about the Bible and I don't know if Jesus turned the water into
wine or not but I'll tell you what a few weeks ago Jesus saved me and if
you will come out to my house tonight I'll show you where Jesus changed
wine into furniture and clothes and groceries."
Jesus is in the transformation business!
He can change you.