In John 2:1-11, we have the first recorded miracle performed by Jesus whereby He transformed 120 gallons of water into wine. At Mary’s urging, Jesus rectified the situation. When the host of the wedding was about to run out of wine, Jesus told the servants to fill the water pots with water. They did as they were told, and out came new wine.
What connection is there between filling stone pots with water and the production of wine? Was the source of this wine simply grapes?
When Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho thirteen times in six days at the command of God, what did marching around the city have to do with the subsequent falling down of the walls of the city on the seventh day? Absolutely nothing! But the Hebrews writer tells us, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30 [RSV]). It was “by faith” the walls fell because God makes the connection, not man!
Was there something magical about the waters of the Jordan River, some medicinal value they held that would cure leprosy, as happened with Naaman when he dipped in the water seven times as he had been instructed in 2 Kings 5:10? No, not all. It was his faith response which saved this Gentile Syrian commander (Luke 4:27).
What does immersion in water have to do with the forgiveness of sins? Does physical water have the power to remove spiritual sin (Acts 22:16)? No again! There is no power in the water. God makes the connection, not man.
Faith is taking God at His word. The master at the wedding feast in Cana would never have tasted the newly produced superior wine had he not acted in faith and done as Jesus had instructed him. When the Israelites conquered Jericho it was because they acted upon faith by marching around the city as commanded, and Naaman was cured of his leprosy once he dipped seven times in the Jordan River as the prophet of God had told him.
Jesus has “all authority” (Matthew 28:18), and if we are going to call Him our Lord, then we must do as He says: Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 [RSV], “Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?” Whether we accept it or not, the authority Jesus wields is over Heaven and Earth today. He does not need man’s approval! Jesus tells us in John 12:48 that in the judgment we will be judged by His words. At the Mount of Transfiguration, God demonstrated that Moses and Elijah were not on equal footing with Jesus. God’s voice declared, “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5 [RSV]) Will you not do so today?
May the Lord bless you!
What connection is there between filling stone pots with water and the production of wine? Was the source of this wine simply grapes?
When Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho thirteen times in six days at the command of God, what did marching around the city have to do with the subsequent falling down of the walls of the city on the seventh day? Absolutely nothing! But the Hebrews writer tells us, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30 [RSV]). It was “by faith” the walls fell because God makes the connection, not man!
Was there something magical about the waters of the Jordan River, some medicinal value they held that would cure leprosy, as happened with Naaman when he dipped in the water seven times as he had been instructed in 2 Kings 5:10? No, not all. It was his faith response which saved this Gentile Syrian commander (Luke 4:27).
What does immersion in water have to do with the forgiveness of sins? Does physical water have the power to remove spiritual sin (Acts 22:16)? No again! There is no power in the water. God makes the connection, not man.
Faith is taking God at His word. The master at the wedding feast in Cana would never have tasted the newly produced superior wine had he not acted in faith and done as Jesus had instructed him. When the Israelites conquered Jericho it was because they acted upon faith by marching around the city as commanded, and Naaman was cured of his leprosy once he dipped seven times in the Jordan River as the prophet of God had told him.
Jesus has “all authority” (Matthew 28:18), and if we are going to call Him our Lord, then we must do as He says: Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 [RSV], “Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?” Whether we accept it or not, the authority Jesus wields is over Heaven and Earth today. He does not need man’s approval! Jesus tells us in John 12:48 that in the judgment we will be judged by His words. At the Mount of Transfiguration, God demonstrated that Moses and Elijah were not on equal footing with Jesus. God’s voice declared, “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5 [RSV]) Will you not do so today?
May the Lord bless you!
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