Read John 2:1-12.
1. The host had run out of wine. It was essential to the event's festivities. Has the church run out of "wine"? Have you? (v. 3).
2. Tell Jesus when you run out of "wine" (v. 3). He wants to hear you tell Him what He already knows.
3. Jesus will provide the "wine", but not without your cooperation and obedience (v. 5). Fill the "pots" (v. 7).
4. Jesus' best is saved for "right now" (v. 10). The best "wine" was not served 100 years ago, or yesterday, or at Pentecost. The best wine is not reserved for a time you won't be able to enjoy it.
This could be adapted for a sermon on Pentecost Sunday.
Showing posts with label Signs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Signs. Show all posts
Friday, May 12, 2017
Thursday, May 11, 2017
No Sign For You (Mk. 8:12)
Read Mark 8:12.
Why did Jesus refuse to give a sign? Was He being stubborn? No. Was He being difficult and inflammatory? No. Perhaps this statement was His way of saying, "I am the sign. If you won't recognize that and submit to it, then no other sign will convince you."
They didn't need another sign. What they needed was to submit to the sign they already had. Jesus didn't want to complicate the clarity He established.
"If a man will not be convinced, he shall not" (Matthew Henry).
Why did Jesus refuse to give a sign? Was He being stubborn? No. Was He being difficult and inflammatory? No. Perhaps this statement was His way of saying, "I am the sign. If you won't recognize that and submit to it, then no other sign will convince you."
They didn't need another sign. What they needed was to submit to the sign they already had. Jesus didn't want to complicate the clarity He established.
"If a man will not be convinced, he shall not" (Matthew Henry).
- Mk. 6:6 > unbelief (not ignorance)
- Lu. 16:29-31 > Moses & prophets (Scripture - cf. Jn. 5:39)
- Lu. 22:67-70 > "If I tell you . . ."
- Jn. 12:37-43 > refusal to believe, not really interested in truth
Friday, March 18, 2011
Jesus' First Sign (Jn. 2_1-12)
We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 2:1-25.
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vv. 2-3. Running out of wine or food was a reproach to someone in the Middle East. Guests were honored by providing an abundance of good food and drink . The wedding feast began great. Would it end well?
v. 4. Jesus was not disrespecting Mary. The time for Jesus to publicly reveal Himself hadn't yet come.
v. 5. Great advice! Jesus wants to instruct you concerning the shortage or lack in your life. He will speak. Will you listen? "Whatever" is a loaded word. Don't set parameters on Jesus: Don't tell Him what He can do, what He can't do, when He can do it, how He can do it, etc.
vv. 6-8. The miracle started with what they did have. When you say you "need a miracle," you're looking at what you don't have. What do you have? That could be the raw material for a miracle (cf. Mt. 14:17-20).
v. 7. Don't take shortcuts. Follow what Jesus says to the extreme. Great things happen with "filled" vessels.
v. 8. Take from the fullness and share with others.
vv. 9-10. Jesus may alter your custom, tradition or preferred way of doing things. If He turned your preference upside down, would you be okay with that?
v. 11. "Sign" > evidence that Jesus is who He claimed to be. When Jesus did a sign, two things happened: (1) He displayed His glory, (2) Someone believed in Him.
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vv. 2-3. Running out of wine or food was a reproach to someone in the Middle East. Guests were honored by providing an abundance of good food and drink . The wedding feast began great. Would it end well?
v. 4. Jesus was not disrespecting Mary. The time for Jesus to publicly reveal Himself hadn't yet come.
v. 5. Great advice! Jesus wants to instruct you concerning the shortage or lack in your life. He will speak. Will you listen? "Whatever" is a loaded word. Don't set parameters on Jesus: Don't tell Him what He can do, what He can't do, when He can do it, how He can do it, etc.
vv. 6-8. The miracle started with what they did have. When you say you "need a miracle," you're looking at what you don't have. What do you have? That could be the raw material for a miracle (cf. Mt. 14:17-20).
v. 7. Don't take shortcuts. Follow what Jesus says to the extreme. Great things happen with "filled" vessels.
v. 8. Take from the fullness and share with others.
vv. 9-10. Jesus may alter your custom, tradition or preferred way of doing things. If He turned your preference upside down, would you be okay with that?
v. 11. "Sign" > evidence that Jesus is who He claimed to be. When Jesus did a sign, two things happened: (1) He displayed His glory, (2) Someone believed in Him.
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