Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 2: 11-12

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

Transcript

Gregg DeMey  0:07  

Good morning and welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It is Thursday, January 8. This is Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor of the church and today we are going to keep the spotlight on Jesus with the help of the apostle John as our guide. We're reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 2, verses 11 and 12.

Gregg DeMey  0:24 

 
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. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Gregg DeMey  0:43  

John's Gospel says this is the first of the signs that point to Jesus' identity as Savior, as rescuer, as Messiah. It just occurred to me that when Jesus did this multiplication of wine miracle, he didn't use or fill up the empty wine vessels or empty wine bottles. Rather, he used something different altogether - these giant jars that were used for ritual purification. New wine in a surprising new container (or as the Gospels say later: new wine in new wine skins). And not just new wine, but an abundance of wine where there was previously a massive lack and a massive problem and potentially massive humiliation for the wedding host family. John's Gospel states that the glory of God was revealed in this way: through provision,  renewal, miracle of transformation and the new wine. The gospel doesn't promise all new things, but all things new - that is God's glory.

Gregg DeMey  1:53  

It's amazing to think and believe that Jesus is able to meet us in our weakness, lacking and deficits to provide something new, surprising, amazing and abundant. Don't expect something predictable. Jesus' way is always out of the box (or perhaps, out of the bottle!). Perhaps you're expereincing a deficit, lack or a brokenness that you can name in Jesus' presence, like Mary did at that wedding so many years ago.

Gregg DeMey  2:34  

Let's pray, Lord Jesus, like your mother and like your disciples of old, we see what you can do and we believe in you too. We put our confidence and trust in you today and now I lay this particular need before you. I wait in eager expectation for what you might do surprise us. Lord, do something new. In your strong name, we pray, amen.