Memorize: Outstanding miracle at Cana
Key Verses: 11, 22
Jesus liked people, genuinely liked being with people, people who knew how to celebrate. He did not separate Himself from normal life, squirreled away in some tower or cave. He spent time with ordinary, everyday people doing their ordinary, everyday activities. And today’s text has the first of many miracles recorded. They are at a wedding, a time of celebration, a time when family gets together to witness the forming of a new union, the creation of a new family intimately connected to other families. They are in the town of Cana, a town eight miles from Nazareth, Jesus home town. Both our key verses point to the reason that Jesus did miracles. He did them so that people would believe in Him, trust Him, place their faith in Him. He did not do miracles randomly. He did them to draw people to Himself.
Now some people have a problem with Jesus making really great wine, but that is exactly what Jesus did. Wine at a celebration is a good thing. Alcohol used frequently to escape pain, or life isn’t. When we are celebrating life’s important events, bring out the best. Let life be overflowing with joy. But when joy devolves into arguing, fighting, name calling, and sinful behavior, then maybe the alcohol has become the focus and not the event we are celebrating. Jesus took six large jars of water and made the best wine the Maitre d’ had available. Jesus made over 200 gallons of wine from 200 gallons of water. I’d say that’s a pretty outstanding miracle.
Remember, miracles are simply pointers, pointers to Jesus. They reveal His authority over aspects of life, like food, drink and even life and death. Keep an eye open for them. See where they point. They are there to help us believe.
REVIEW: Acrostic Theme & each chapter’s phrase, just two so far.
The Arnold Journey 