ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (AUGUST 15, 2012)

irst Impressions

John 2:1-11

"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." 

(John 2:11)

"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression," so the saying goes. If this is true, why did Jesus choose His first miracle to be one where He changed water into wine? Why not something more spectacular, such as giving sight to a blind man or raising the dead? 

But this miracle is as spectacular as any of His others. 

In the beginning, when God created the world, He made something out of nothing (Genesis 1). Since only God can create, what better way for Jesus Christ to begin His earthly ministry than by proving He is the Creator? Without grapes or grape juice, Jesus created a fine wine to be served to the wedding guests. 

Not only did this miracle affirm Jesus as Creator, its setting also pointed to His relationship with believers. Marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ. One day, the Church will be presented to Him as His perfect bride (Revelation 19:7-8). 

Jesus' first miracle revealed His glory. Today, it reminds us that He is our Creator and our Bridegroom. 

INSIGHT

What situation is causing you to doubt God's power or compassion? Rest in the assurance that your powerful Creator is also your loving Bridegroom.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Isaiah 45-46

Psalm 93

Acts 16

John 2:1-11

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Footnotes:

a. John 2:4 The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.

b. John 2:6 Or from about 75 to about 115 liters

BIG GOD ... LITTLE HEARTS [PART 2]

with Sally Lloyd-Jones

Loving God isn't a chore. It's what we were made to do and gives us more joy than we can imagine. It happens naturally for those who have a fresh daily encounter with Jesus. But how do we do that?