Friday, May 1, 2009

Day121 Water to wine - So what was Jesus showing us?

John 2:1-25. I smiled when I recognized that Mary, Jesus's mother, and I have something in common! Make a statement but are really asking "what are you going to do about it"? Mary draws attention to the fact that there is no more wine and that is all she says. Jesus gets all defensive and asks "what is it to do with me"? Then she says to the servants, do what he tells you to do. This interaction may have prompted Jesus to begin his ministry with miracles, he had to begin somewhere and here was an opportunity.

At this point, Jesus had been baptized by John. John's disciples and his own disciples are with him. So what is the lesson Jesus was teaching? The Jars were used for ceremonially cleansing, to wash the outside of people and utility items not for consumption. Now the wine will be drunk and be on the inside of the person.

"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory" That was the purpose, to "reveal his glory" but how did that happen? The response of the master of the banquet when he tasted the water that had been turned into wine, was that it was the "best wine" that was kept for last.

I can't help thinking that there is a connection with Numbers 18:26 "Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering. Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. The wine spoke of Jesus the perfect offering and also the "firstfruits" of the new creation.1 Corinthians 15:19-21

Romans 8:1-4 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Lets look at Exodus 7. Moses represents the old covenant, he turned water into Blood, Jesus turned water into Wine. Jesus's blood is the wine of the new covenant. Luke 22:19-21 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you...

It is significant that Jesus signaled his offering of himself at a wedding feast.
There will be a wedding feast one day and groom's glory will be totally revealed.

Rev 15:2-4...They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.Just and true are your ways,King of the ages.Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy.All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Read Rev19)
Siobhan

2 comments:

  1. I like what you pointed out "Jesus signaled his offering of himself at a wedding feast and one day we will be at his and our wedding feast.

    I look forward with longing to that time. It will be wonderful to see Jesus face to face.

    Shirley

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  2. I didn't get a chance to read yesterday's post until this morning. It was excellant.

    Shirley Fay

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