Wednesday, January 14, 2009
John 2:11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
EPIPHANY AT THE JORDAN . . . AT CANA . . . AND MORE
Another epiphany of Jesus as the Son of God to the people of our planet happened on the banks of a river -- the famous Jordan River where John the Baptist carried on his work of preaching and baptizing. One day when a certain carpenter's son from Nazareth drew near to be baptized, all of a sudden the heavens burst open and the Spirit of God descended on Him in the form of a dove. The voice of God the Father was heard speaking from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Not long afterward another epiphany of Jesus happened in a wedding hall in a village called Cana. When there was wine shortage during the marriage reception, He used His almighty power to transform water that had been stored in nearby pots into the finest tasting vintage wine for all guests to enjoy. It was the first in a long line of mighty deeds Jesus performed as special signs (epiphanies) to the people that He was more than the son of Mary and stepson of Joseph. He was the Son of God in whom all the fullness of the deity was living in bodily form. He performed this miracle -- and dozens more in years following -- that they might believe He truly was their Messiah, and that believing, they might enjoy a loving relationship with their God that would never be fractured. Yes, they'd be privileged even to have a spot reserved in their name as honored guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb in the world to come.
The Holy Spirit caused these miraculous signs to be written down in the Bible for us to read, ponder, and believe -- for the same glorious purpose.
Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,
And at Cana, Wedding-guest, In Thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine, Changing water into wine.
Anthems be to Thee addressed God in man made manifest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 134:2)
