_The third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee._
THE MIRACLE AT CANA
I. THE OCCASION ON WHICH THE MIRACLE WAS WROUGHT.
1. The time. The third day after the interview with Nathanael.
2. The place. Cana, about nine miles from Nazareth. Called Cans of
Galilee to distinguish it from another... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they wanted wine_
_
I._
The wine supplied was m ACCORDANCE WITH THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY. The
produce probably of their own industry in the vineyards around. Wine
in Bible lands was not an occasional luxury as with us, but a part of
the daily food of the people. A simple, natural beverage,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mother of Jesus saith unto Him they have no wine_
I.
THE MIRACLE WAS WROUGHT AT THE SUGGESTION OF A MOTHER, and was the
result of the promptings of human affection. The first influence that
reaches the senses of a child is from the mother; and whatever
miracles of blessing have been done in t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whatsoever Be saith unto you, do it_
IMPLICIT OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST
That is a remarkable claim.
It is almost startling to be told that, without leaving room for our
own opinion, whatever a certain voice says to us we are to do. That
claim can be made for no created intelligence. But it can be made... [ Continue Reading ]
_Six water-pots of stone._
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WATER-POTS
I. THE USE OF OLD MATERIAL FOR NEW PURPOSE. In the natural word
vegetable life grows out of the mould of vegetable decay. The
tabernacle was constructed of Egyptian materials and many of the laws
and customs had an Egyptian form. Prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast kept the good wine until now._
We learn
I. THAT CHRIST HAS SYMPATHY WITH HOUSEKEEPERS. The wine gave out and
Jesus came to the rescue. Don’t fret when there is a scant supply in
your household, but trust in God and do the best you can and He will
help you. Christ is the best adviser and... [ Continue Reading ]
_This beginning of miracles_
THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST
Miracles are not only a proof but a part of revelation, and carry
their own weight of truth quite independent of their testimony to the
authority of the whole.
Christ’s miracles
I. IDENTIFY THE GOD OF NATURE WITH THE CHRIST OF THE GOSPEL, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
_After this, He went down into Capernaum_
CHRIST AT CAPERNAUM
It is not needful to inquire what His errand was there, and upon what
occasion His mother and brethren went with Him; whether because Joseph
was new dead, and so He took care of His mother, or because they would
convey Him on His way, o... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem._
CHRIST’S FIRST PASSOVER
I. HIS ATTENDANCE AT THE PASSOVER, One of the three great annual
festivals which all males were required to attend. None excused but
the sick and the disabled. God made the ordinance peremptory, to teach
(1)... [ Continue Reading ]
_The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up_
_
I._
ZEAL FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THE HOUSE.
1. It is the duty of the Church to provide convenient places for the
public worship of God. Over-building is a lamentable waste of
strength; but under-building is a sin. The Church who neglects to
provide proper... [ Continue Reading ]
_What sign showest Thou?_
CHRIST AND THE RULERS
I. THE DISPUTE WHICH FOLLOWED HIS PROCEEDING IN THE TEMPLE.
1. The remonstrance addressed to Him by the Jews. The parties were the
authorities of the Temple who, by their question, espoused the cause
of the traffickers. “The Jews require a sign,” an... [ Continue Reading ]
_When He was in Jerusalem at the Passover_
THE FIRST JERUSALEM BELIEVERS
I. THE OBJECT OF THEIR FAITH: the name of Christ. The name of anything
is that by which it is known; so the name of Christ is that revelation
of the Saviour proposed for faith’s acceptance. So faith may vary in
different ages,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men._
SUPERFICIAL FAITH
I. THE DANGER OF A SUPERFICIAL FAITH. It was only such a faith that
these people had who believed in Christ on the ground of His miracles.
It did not satisfy Christ. It had no deep root and had not led to
loyal ac... [ Continue Reading ]