John 2:10 And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse… I. FOR THE BELIEVER CHRIST KEEPS THE BEST WINE TILL THE LAST. 1. There are some of God's best beloved who have never known what it is to get out of the depths of poverty, affliction, profitless toil, to whom it will indeed be true, when death gives them their discharge, that Christ has kept the good wine till the last — riches, happiness, rest. 2. This will be equally true of God's favoured ones. The most highly favoured, who had been caught up to the third heaven, declared that he only saw through a glass darkly, and that there was a higher heaven yet. There are many aspects of the heavenly state, and in each of these the principle of the text holds good. 1. Here on earth the believer enters into rest by faith, and enjoys the peace which passeth all understanding. But drink of that as we may, the good wine has yet to come. The present peace is dashed by cares and doubts and disquietudes. 2. Heaven is a place of holy company. Here we have some of that wine, but our companions are compassed with infirmity. There the just are made perfect. 3. In heaven there is perfect knowledge. On earth we know much that makes us happy, but heaven is a place of complete and endless manifestations and joys. II. CHRIST'S REASONS FOR DOING THIS. 1. To make a broad distinction between His dealings and Satan's. 2. Because it is His good pleasure. 3. That He may give us an appetite for the good wine. 4. That He may be glorified by the trial of your faith. III. LESSONS: 1. Hasten towards the place where the good wine is kept. 2. If the best things are to come, let us not be discontented. 3. Why should we envy the worldling? (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. |
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