John 2:1-12 Turning Daily Problems into Miracles

John 2:1-12  Turning Daily Problems into Miracles

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days. John 2:1-12

Background

The background of this passage was a wedding that could potentially face a disastrous end. The wine that was supposed to keep the guest entertained ran out. The mother of Jesus despite her son’s initial protest saw that as a divine opportunity to present Jesus as Messiah to the world. This account, in the early days of Jesus’s ministry was considered as Jesus’s first public miracle. Today’s devotion teaches us to be bold to turn daily problems into miracles. In so doing, we create opportunities so that others may experience God’s love, wisdom and power through our lives. As long as we are not self-serving, and that our intention is to help others, God’s favour is at hand to succeed.

Observation

1. By this time, Jesus has already gathered some of His disciples but have yet to begin His public ministry.

2. The mother of Jesus had her own ideas as to when Jesus should be introduced to the world. However, Jesus felt that it was not time for Him to be revealed publicly. Nevertheless, Jesus found a way to fulfil His mother’s request without exposing His divine identity and mission.

3. Jesus’s divine authority to work miracles at will is no surprise to His mother. There was indeed no hesitation on Mary’s part to commit her son to the task of solving the impossible situation. Thus, we can safely say that Mary had prior experience of her son’s ability to work miracles.

4. The revelation of Jesus as the Son of God necessitates the display of supernatural authority. The miracle at Cana strengthened the disciples’ faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Truth

It is God’s design that omnipotence be manifested through an ordinary man.

In the Old Testament, Moses was an ordinary man. Yet, God displayed His power and miracles through him in unprecedented ways. The 10 cataclysmic miracles forever etched on the minds of the younger generation of Jews inspiring them to do great exploits. God, before He works omnipotence in the world, must come in the flesh and take on human attributes.

Why is it important for God to use an ordinary person? It is God’s design and intention that divine omnipotence be manifested through a human-earthen vessel. Paul said,

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

This forms a partnership between God and man; omnipotence must find expression in the world through the cooperation of mortal human beings. The author of Hebrews said,

“What is man, that You remember him?
Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him?
“You have made him for a little while lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And have appointed him over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. Hebrews 2:6-8

The expression “What is man…?” and “made him for a little while lower than the angels” describe man’s existential condition. But yet man is crowned with glory and honour and given to to reign all things. The call to rule over all things is the divine design of every human being. The supremacy of man over all things including the angels cannot be understated; For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. While human beings are still in the flesh (earthen vessel), it is required of him to exercise divine dominion by faith. As believers increase in faith; to grow in divine wisdom and love, God entrusts a measure of authority that is appropriate to his level of faith.

Therefore, for believers to acquire greater authority (to reign over all things), he must not seek divine authority itself, but rather divine wisdom and love.

In order for the world to believe in God, they must see God’s love and supernatural power at work through ordinary men and women.

When Peter and John healed a man lamed from birth at the temple gate, there came an uproar from the people because of the miracle. As they were running towards them, Peter pointed them to the resurrected Christ who is the source of all power. Peter said, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?”… “it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:12,16. 

The revelation of God and the message of salvation must necessarily include the display of love and supernatural power. Miracles prove the existence of God that draw the penitent towards God to reconcile with Him. That said, the supernatural must be manifested through sanctified earthen vessels. Unless divine power are delivered through believers who live in divine love and wisdom, the world will not repent. People will just be drawn to the power without the conviction to live in divine love and wisdom. The purpose of evangelism is to turn all men towards God so that they may live in love and in truth. Jesus said to His disciples that they could likewise work mighty miracles and preach the gospel when He ascends to the Father. Today, God is sending all believers as ordinary people into our world to manifest His love and supernatural power.

We could work miracles without appearing religious.

Jesus’s handling of the situation in Cana showed profound wisdom. He had to commit to His mother’s request without exposing Himself prematurely as the Messiah because of the Jews. Jesus found a way to work a spectacular miracle in the most mundane fashion with absolutely no fanfare. In fact, there was no way of telling if the miracle was done by the waiters or by Himself. The miracle at Cana showed us that miracles have got nothing to do with technique or the way it is initiated. In fact, it has everything to do with the virtue of the miracle worker. In putting on the virtues of love, humility and obedience, we can work unusual miracles at will.

We could let things progress naturally under God’s guidance.

Although the success of Jesus’s mission required people to recognize Him as the Messiah. Jesus was not hasty in demonstrating His divine power in order to prove Himself; for He had no intention to turning water into wine. He walked in God’s timing, never hurried, while deferring God to establish His ministry.

Application

1.  Everyday situations can present opportunities for the working of miracles so that people may know God. Whenever a problem presents itself, always ask God how you can be a vessel for a supernatural sign. Miracles may be initiated by issuing a command in Jesus’s name. Believers must not be afraid but exercise the divine authority invested us. As long as our intention is to further God’s kingdom and to help another, God’s favour is always at hand to succeed. Healing of sicknesses, pausing the rain, and stopping a quarrel in the family etc, are miracles that can be initiated at our command. To initiate a miracle, you may say the following:

• In Jesus’s name, I command the spirit of sickness to get out of this person and I speak healing to his body.
• In Jesus’s name, I command the rain to stop for 2 minutes.
• In Jesus’s name, I cast out the spirit of conflict from this family. I send the angels to create peace and harmony within the family members.

2.  We may not have to compromise our principles whenever a difficult situation arises. Any difficult situation can be resolved in the most amazing way when we take one step at a time while trusting God to lead. And the Spirit will reveal by way of divine wisdom the solution to a problem.

3. God works miracles through those who possess a spirit of purity and humility. Many could not grow in divine authority because they harbour secret ambitions. However, that is not to say that those who are not used to exercising miracles are such. Simon, the sorcerer (See acts 8:9-24) and the sons of Sceva (See Acts 19:14) are classic examples of ambitions gone rogue. Paul taught believers to pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 14:1). Therefore, in the pursuit of divine authority and spiritual gifts, one must conceive a right spirit while being appropriately discipled.

Dear Lord, help me recognise the opportunities that could be used display God’s glory. Give me wisdom to introduce God’s love and His power into my world. Help me to recognize your promptings and walk in them. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.