BaptistWay Bible Series for December 12: Jesus revealing his glory

BaptistWay Bible Series for December 12: Jesus revealing his glory focuses on John 2:1-11.

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Deep meaning can be given to any act of Christ, but sometimes it’s the motivation behind his actions that becomes most significant. This week, we focus on the tender mercy of Jesus even in the details of our lives.

Ordinarily, Jesus only performed miracles at the direction of his Father. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing” (John 5:19). Yet in this week’s story, Jesus responds not to his Father but to his mother.

No problem is outside the scope of Jesus’ ministry

First, a little background. Hospitality was important in the ancient Jewish culture. It was even more important at a wedding. So running short of wine was considered very bad form. Mary obviously was close to the wedding party and was concerned about the reputation of the family.

By taking the problem to Jesus, Mary reveals her own trust in his ability to solve the little problems a family often faces. This belief is reinforced by her words to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

Jesus responds by telling Mary it isn’t time for him to be revealed yet. In other words, this request isn’t from God or for his glory. Jesus knows he came to earth to save mankind from their sins, yet now he’s being asked to save a poor family’s reputation among their friends.

Is this sort of problem outside the scope of Jesus’ ministry? No. Jesus immediately turns to the servants and tells them to fill six large jars with water, then to draw some out and offer it to the master of the banquet. The wine is declared the best wine of the wedding. Instead of being shamed, the bridegroom is honored.

No problem is too small for Jesus

In prayer, we often fall into two modes of wrong thinking. First is to treat prayer as a wish list. The second is to believe God isn’t interested in the details of our lives. We refuse to pray about a situation because we feel it’s too menial to trouble God with it.


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Yet the Bible is filled with assurances of God’s loving concern for us:

•    “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).

•    “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

•    “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

•    “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin” (Matthew 6:28).

Jesus obviously is concerned about little things. He changed water to wine simply to save friends from embarrassment. He cares just as much about our daily concerns, no matter how trivial.

His compassion extends into every area of our lives

Jesus became man to save us from our sins. But he became a living, breathing man who cared deeply about family, friends and even strangers on the street. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Jesus’ desire to die on the cross for us and restore us to relationship with God is indeed miraculous. But just as miraculous are his loving concern for our feelings and his desire for our happiness. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

He does it generously

Whatever God does always is done richly, abundantly and lavishly. But we must believe he desires to bless us.

In 2 Kings, when a widow’s two boys were about to be taken from her, Elisha told her to ask her neighbors for empty jars. “Don’t ask for just a few,” he told her (2 Kings 4:3). Then he instructed her to begin filling the bowls from her small jar of olive oil.

Every bowl was filled, and more would have been filled if there were more to fill. Essentially, the oil continued to flow until the woman’s faith ran out.

Jesus desires to pour an overabundance of blessing into our laps. Paul calls it “the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). We must receive it in faith.

The condition?

God asks us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).

That alone makes us worthy of receiving every blessing God has for us. We simply need to understand he desires to bless the tiniest details of our lives. Like Mary, we need to believe. And then ask.

Food for thought

Read Psalm 23. What are the provisions the Lord has for those who love him? Is there any lack of blessing for his children?


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