Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
At the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, everybody expected the Soviet Hockey team to win the gold medal. Everyone except the young men wearing the red, white, and blue. The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in five of the six previous Winter Olympic Games, and their team consisted primarily of professional players with significant experience in international play. By contrast, the United States’ team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, was made up exclusively of amateur players, and was the youngest team in the tournament and in U.S. national team history. In the group stage, both teams were surprisingly unbeaten, the surprise being the U.S. team with a hard fought victory over Czechoslovakia who was considered the second best in the games. Now, in a game for the ages, the host United States team faced off against the Soviets in the opening match of the medal round.
The game started fast with both teams scoring 2 goals in the opening period. After period two the Soviets held a narrow 3-2 lead. However, in the third and final period the U.S. came back with two goals to win the game. Al Michaels iconic call in the final seconds is still what resonates in the minds of many today, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!” Amazingly, the United States would go on to win the gold medal with a victory over Finland in their final game.
Do you believe in miracles? Many people today ignore, deny, or rationalize Jesus’ miracles. Even in Jesus’ day some people attributed them to God whereas others attributed them to Satan (3:2; 9:33; Matt. 12:24). However, you can’t simply explain away Christ’s miracles because there were thousands who saw and experienced them first-hand. The fact that these things took place is a matter of historical evidence, and the big question is what am I going to do about it.
One of the most famous miracles of Christ is where He turned water to wine. Jesus took ordinary water and turned it into something extraordinary, something noteworthy, something special. This miracle is not an endorsement of alcohol, the point is so much bigger than that. The point is first of all that Jesus is Lord over creation. He has the ability to change the molecular structure of water with a word. Wow! No matter what you face today, we serve a God who spoke the world into motion. He is the one and only Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. If He made Mars He can probably handle your life and mine!
Secondly, the new covenant we have in Christ is significantly greater than the old covenant of the law. The Law is merely a tutor that points us to Christ, it doesn’t save us. Jesus is so much better and greater! Salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and only His blood shed on the cross is sufficient to atone for our sins. So, the point is Christ can turn your water into wine! Our ordinary, mundane, sinful, bland lives become extraordinary in Christ! He gives us joy, peace, and a purpose worth living for. He puts the pep in our step and the joy in our journey!
Today, are you in a rut? Do you just feel bland and rundown? Give your water to the winemaker. Let Him do a fresh and new work in your heart. Don’t just keep chasing Him out of obligation, let Him give You a new sense of passion. That’s what a miracle is all about! Do you believe in miracles? Salvation is one of the greatest examples. Never cease to be amazed at the thought your own salvation.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I am so amazed that you would save a sinner like me. Jesus you have turned my water into wine. You have taken my sinful and bland life and remade it into something beautiful for your glory. Today, I entrust everything fully to you and ask you to do your miraculous work. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.