Water into Wine Part 2

00:00:00 Speaker 1: He who sits on the throne said, behold, I Am making all things new Revelation twenty one five. Almighty God, this promise illuminates the dawn of a new creation, where the old order of pain, sorrow, and brokenness fades in the glory of your renewal. We are inspired by your divine power to transform, rejuvenate, and restore. With every sunrise, remind us of your continuous work in our lives and the world, replacing despair with hope, fear with faith, and weakness with strength. May we embrace the new life you offer, walking in the light of your love and truth. Lord, Let this vision of a new heaven and a new Earth guide our steps, fuel our dreams, and shape our prayers. As you make all things new, work within us, transforming our hearts and minds so we may reflect your glory in all we do. In anticipation and joy, we look forward to the fulfillment of your promise. Amen, Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Stick around for part two of Jesus' First Miracle. If this podcast is blessed, you be sure to follow along so you never have to miss an episode. 00:01:45 Speaker 2: This is my son. He's going to help with our situation. 00:01:48 Speaker 1: Do whatever he tells. 00:01:49 Speaker 2: You to do. 00:01:51 Speaker 1: She looked down at Jesus in a way only a mother could. Although he was a rabbi growing in popularity, she was still his mother. She winked at the servants. Something shone in her brown eyes, something like hope. Jesus smiled and shook his head. He stood up, kissed his mother on the head, and gestured to the servants. 00:02:18 Speaker 3: Let's go. 00:02:19 Speaker 1: They walked around the corner. Beside the group of men sat a line of clay jars, nothing fancy jars for a typical cleansing ceremony. But Jesus looked from them to the servants. He didn't sound demanding when he spoke to them. He sounded kind. 00:02:39 Speaker 3: Fill those jars with water. 00:02:41 Speaker 1: The men glanced sideways at each other, but did as they were told. The servants left to the well and trudged back. With the jars filled to the brim. They sat them down on the table in front of Jesus. Calm, cold water rippled on the surface, reflecting Jesus's face, kind eyes, long thin cheeks, surrounded by starlight and soft lamps above jesus followers noticed the commotion. They went quiet and watched as Jesus stood over them. A hush spread down the length of the table. Crickets chirped in the nearby brush. Above, the stars hung low, and bright insects snapped around their shoulders. Mary watched at a distance, leaning back in the dark shadow behind the bride and groom, with a knowing look, a look that said something extraordinary is about to happen. 00:04:00 Speaker 2: Let me ask you a question. What makes a miracle a miracle? We often consider miracles to be events that are extraordinary, improbable, or even impossible, whether it's a Christmas miracle in our favorite Hallmark movie or something miraculous that someone reports from the mission field. We see miracles as inexplicable phenomena meant to inspire When Jesus performs miracles, they may be inconceivable to us, but in reality they're the most natural events, as creation is made subject to its creator, just the way all things were meant to be in the Garden of Eden. But that doesn't make them any less extraordinary. Jesus's miracles were grand displays of his glory that proved his power, sparked curiosity and inspire faith. Though turning water into wine was Jesus' first, it certainly wouldn't be the last, as he prepared to glorify the Father through his life. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, a year story showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, your host from Pray Doti. It's great to be with you as we continue in the miracles of Jesus. Don't forget to take a second to follow the podcast and stay up to date with all these captivating stories. This week, we're continuing our look at Jesus's first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding of Cana. What could have been a disastrous day that led to years of shame for the young couple was prevented by a loving work of Jesus. Let's continue now. 00:05:27 Speaker 1: Jesus stood in front of the six heavy stone jars. The table had gone quiet with what he might do. The group of men his disciples exchanged cautious glances. Jesus took a moment breathing in the crisp night air, watching the ripples surface on the water, when something in his expression lifted. A sweet servant girl stood behind him, holding her breath, and Jesus turned to her. Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. The servant girl leaned over the jar. It was water. She didn't quite understand what was happening, but Mary instructed her to do as she was told, so, with a nervous smile, she bobbed her head once and quietly spooned a cupful of water. She poured it into the cup and began walking to the master of the feast. She walked the length of the long table to the end, where the groom and his father chatted anxiously. The servant girl delicately placed the cup in front of the groom's father, who was distracted and worried he would not be able to provide for his family. 00:06:46 Speaker 3: I just can't believe that we'd run out. 00:06:49 Speaker 1: He gripped the sides of the wood table. 00:06:51 Speaker 3: I had bought plenty, more than plenty. I had spenty ah, I had spenty fortune on all this food, this wine. 00:07:01 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, father Gersham said, slowly, trying to calm him. It isn't your fault. No one believes that The girl approached from behind and placed the cup on the table. The groom's father brought the cup to his lips, expecting water, and smiled instead, tasting the sweet grape tang of the freshest, most delightful tasting wine he had ever had. 00:07:27 Speaker 3: Ah ha ha. 00:07:30 Speaker 1: He stood boisterously and shook his finger at Mary, as though they'd played a fine joke on him. 00:07:37 Speaker 3: 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. 00:07:50 Speaker 1: The bride beamed at her father in law, and the groom raised his glass to him. The father of the groom turned to the length of the table with his cup raised in hand, and projected to the party. 00:08:03 Speaker 3: My dear family and friends. 00:08:06 Speaker 1: The table hushed and went silent. 00:08:08 Speaker 3: I heavy blessing for my son and his beloved bride. 00:08:12 Speaker 1: He smiled down at them through his beard. 00:08:15 Speaker 3: May your cup overflow and never run out. May your life together be long and filled with years, and may you experience the abundance of God's love for you tonight and every night. 00:08:32 Speaker 1: Cheering spread down the table, and the servant girl returned to the jar again, smiling at the floor, knowing full well who had done it, even though the master of the feast did not. The bride's friends, a group of girls she'd grown up with, stopped the servant girl halfway down the table and pulled her in as though she were their little sister. 00:08:55 Speaker 2: Hey, where did you find the extra wine? 00:08:57 Speaker 1: They pressed, whispering, come on, you can tell us. The servant girl shook her head. I didn't find it. 00:09:05 Speaker 2: It was him, the Rabbi Jesus. 00:09:08 Speaker 1: The girl released the grip on the servant girl and raised an eyebrow, disbelieving. But they all started laughing, we'll give us some two. Then they chattered excitedly, leaning over their delicate red dresses towards the servant girl. The girl nodded quickly and rushed off for them. She filled cup after cup full of water from the jars, and by the time it was served, like some trick of light, it had become the most delicious wine, each time a miracle. She poured a cup for the bride and to the groom, who said, it's. 00:09:50 Speaker 3: As though one cup were filling enough, like for eating a whole meal. 00:09:55 Speaker 1: Then she poured a cup for Mary. The woman looked down at the crimson liquid reflected in It was her somber face, reflecting on what would become of her son. She sipped it and nodded. It's sweet for now, but bittersweet. The girl was a little confused by that. The only one who never asked for anything for himself was the one they called Jesus, the miracle Worker. The longer the party went, the more cheerful and loud the celebrations became. But he did not. He remained the same, sipping his cup. There was a kind of warmth about him, but he never lost control of his laughter, never slammed the table with his fists like the others, never broke bread carelessly, never shouted orders at the servants as the rest of them had. And she caught herself staring at the back of his head, wondering about him, when he slowly turned around to meet her gaze with a soft look, the still motionless presence in the chaos of the celebrations. It's strange to think how one person can feel they know another person simply by a look, But the servant girl felt she knew him. This man was much more than a simple man. But the moment passed and he turned away, and the celebrations continued. All night and into the early hours of the morning, with water turned into wine again and again. The disciples were amazed at him in sheer disbelief, But the servant girl was not. She knew the power that had changed water into wine was the very heart of God, covering, caring, protecting the family and everyone here. And if this wine was possible, what other wonders could be at work too. 00:12:15 Speaker 2: When we read the Bible, we might find ourselves categorizing all of the stories into one time period distinct from ours. When we read through the magnificent moments like God speaking to Moses through a bush set of blaze that didn't burn, or attacking donkey used to stop a wicked prophet from cursing God's people, or the apostles in the early Church performing the same types of healings as Jesus, we may be left wondering why those same events aren't as prevalent today, But we have to remember that the Bible often captures these moments for the very reason that they were distinct from the day to day lives of people lived at the time. When Jesus began performing miracles, it was just as surprising to the people then as it would be for us if we saw that happening now, And if you were to condense all of those events in just a small book, it would seem like it would happen every single day. You see, the mission of Jesus during his earthly ministry was revolutionary. He was turning Jewish tradition on its head, instituting the Kingdom of God and preparing its citizens, and he was fulfilling his role as the promised Messiah from Genesis three. This task required a turning of the tides that seemed impossible, so it only makes sense that to prove his claims he would have to do the impossible. 00:13:24 Speaker 3: He would have to. 00:13:25 Speaker 2: Prove that the authority he carried came from God in heaven. In accomplishing this work. We may not see many of the same sort of miracles today, but that doesn't mean that the spirit is any less work. The miracles we see today are just as extraordinary, with God empowering minds to translate the Bible into every language, stories of families who have nothing being supported by loving communities of faith, and even times when we do see miraculous healings that could only be explained by God's abiding love in our lives. But whatever miracles we see in our lives, we should remember that miracles aren't the only defining attribute of God. We can't distill our idea of God's power down to these moments. Miracles are just catalysts used to deepen faith. But through that there's a miracle behind the miracle where we get to see that growing faith put into action as disciples press on to make more disciples. The idea that the modern Church of over two point three eight billion believers started with twelve everyday people is a miracle in and of itself. As Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, he was planting a seed in their hearts, a seed that would grow their belief to trust that every word he spoke to them was true and that they would be the ones who shared his message with the world. So what do we learn about faith through the first miracle? First, we're taught to trust in Jesus's timing. After the stone jars have been filled, Jesus tells a servant to bring a cup of the contents to the master of the feast. We're not told in scripture where exact we're not told in scriptures where exact exactly the water turned into wine. Was it immediately after the vessels were filled, the moment the cup was poured while the servants walked to deliver the drink, while the servants walked to deliver the drink, or was it mere seconds before touch the lips of the master of the feast. In a sense, it doesn't matter. The point is that Jesus came in his timing. The servants didn't need to check the water. They didn't ask Jesus when he was going to provide more wine. They had to have faith that in time it would happen in the same way. Just because we don't know God's timing or are confused about his process doesn't mean we should hesitate to listen and obey when Jesus causes us to take a step. Uncertainty in the process is distinct from certainty in God's promises. Having the former doesn't exclude the latter. God doesn't expect us to live without uncertainty. In fact, he expects it. That's why he requires faith. But over time, as we see his faithfulness, it will grow our assurance that his promises are always yes and amen. 00:15:58 Speaker 3: When we think. 00:15:59 Speaker 2: About jesus ministry as a whole. We can see a multitude of people that are healed, but that doesn't mean everyone was. It might be easy to wonder why Jesus didn't perform endless miracles, spending every second he could finding the sick, blind, lame, and healing them in an instant with a word. Every sick person could have been made well and every hungry belly could have been made full. But there was and is a greater plan that God is working out. While Jesus wanted to bless the ones he performed miracles for, his true hope was to lead people to repentance. Blanket healings would have brought physical peace to people's afflictions, but completely missed the mark of the spiritual healing that he wanted to provide. While it may seem insensitive for God to not provide all the miracles we think he should, we should trust in his good plan. Think about Adam and Eve. After they sinned, they were removed from the garden. What some may see as a punishment was actually an act of mercy. We're told in Genesis three twenty two that God removed them from the garden so that they wouldn't eat of the tree of life in livy eternally broken in their sin. You see what seems harsh or what seems like judgment, can actually be an act of mercy from God. God held off his miracle of giving them internal life to first perform the miracle of cleansing humanity from its transgressions. God is good and we can trust that He has good plans. Through the miracle in Cana, Jesus did more than just save a wedding. He was preparing the foundation for this young couple to honor God in their marriage. Rather than allowing them to start off their marriage with a bad reputation in the community that brought bitterness and hardship, He gave them the blessing of knowing how much God cared for them. He wanted to show them that He loves fruitful marriages that are founded in gratitude for the Lord and find their hope in Him. He wanted to give them more than just a good celebration. He wanted to give them a good life. Jesus wants to bless beyond the material. He wants to give us a good life full of His peace, joy and strength. And he wants it more than just physical needs being met. When we only look at God for the physical spaces, we're likely to miss how he's working in the spiritual, menace and emotional parts of our lives. God cares for us holistically. This is why he causes us to love Him with all of our hearts, soul, mind, and strength. He wants us to be integrated in our worship of Him, to not only praise Him for how He's cared for our physical well being, but also how He's cared for our hearts, minds, and souls. Miracles only address the physical, which is why Jesus didn't want people to need signs and wonders forever. The miracles were just setting the stage for his work to grow the faith of the first Disciples. And while miracles are still at work today, we can look to more than just miracles to grow our faith. We have so many things. The Disciples didn't have, the complete scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, generations of faithful men and women who have spread the Gospel message, countless testimonies of the saving, transformative power of Jesus. So yes, look for miracles in your life. Expect God to do the unexpected believe that he's going to do the impossible things in your life. But above all, remember that all of those things are meant to draw you close to him. That is the true miracle.