Refreshed

John 2:9-11 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 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.” 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. Yesterday we considered Jesus’ first miracle—turning water into wine—and focused on the Lord’s power to refresh and renew. Today let’s consider two additional points of this miracle.

• John notes, “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.” The word “glory” was originally a commercial term that referred to a pair of scales. The word meant “to be heavy” or “to have intrinsic worth.” Later, the word came to describe a person’s “weightiness” or “worthiness.” This miracle demonstrated Jesus’ significance and worthiness. He demonstrated His creative power by bypassing the natural process.
• Not coincidently, the substance of this miracle was water used for ceremonial washing. Jesus replaced the old ceremonial water with rich new wine—the old covenant water became new covenant wine. Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament laws and ceremonies with a new covenant of grace.

At the Last Supper, Jesus held up a cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” From that point on, wine became a symbol of the newness of life and the relationship we can have with the Father through the work of Jesus. Each time we participate in communion we are reminded of this covenant of grace provided by Jesus. Father, when I trust in Your Son as the only way to have a relationship with You, You promise that the old is gone; the new has come. Thank You for the new life that comes through the work of Jesus. In His name. Amen.

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This Week on The Journey: 1 and 2 Samuel