John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. I. CHRIST'S SYMPATHY WITH THE RELATIONSHIPS AND GLADNESS OF MAN'S LIFE. That was a new thing in the world, the sign of a new spirit that was to pervade mankind. There is a strong tendency in human nature to associate lofty morality with rigorous sternness of life: the prophets; John the Baptist; monks. But here Christ mingles with the gladness of a wedding feast, and exerts His supernatural power to supply a festive need. This implied — 1. That earthly life was to be glorified by the heavenly. 2. That human love is not to be carnalized, but made Divine. 3. That human relationships do not clash with the love of God, but are to become powerful instruments for aiding it. 4. That no sphere is too common for Christ to sanctify. II. CHRIST BESTOWED ON COMMON THINGS A HIGHER POWER IN ORDER TO AWAKEN HUMAN GLADNESS. This signifies the elevation by Him of the natural into the Divine, of the common into the uncommon. Here again was a new thing to the world. To Christ's eye nothing was commonplace; not the lowest man nor the plainest life. His mission was to glorify the old and familiar. III. Combining these two features, we see that LIFE IN ALL ITS COMMON RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMON TOILS IS TO BE A MANIFESTATION AND SERVICE OF CHRIST. In human friendship we are to serve Christ, and in our daily work to glorify Him. Life throughout, with its joys and sorrows, is to be transformed. How is this to be done? Notice — 1. That the character of a man's deeds is determined by their inner motive, not by their outward form. 2. This sanctity is attained through the power of Christ's love. IV. THE RESULTS WHICH WOULD FLOW FROM THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS. 1. Life would become a constant manifestation of Christ. 2. Life would be a constant education for the heavenly. 3. It would give us the assurance of eternal fellowship. (E. L. Hull, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. |
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