|
|
Women in the Bible
|
Lesson Thirty-two: by turtle30c
What a blessing it is when mother’s and father’s both get to be a witness of baby's first steps,
first words, and first day of school. Many tears of joy are shed at these blessed events. Then
comes first dates, graduation and hopefully one marriage. Then first grandbaby and then the
cycle begins again. There are many first in a child life, whether a parent gets to witness them all
or not. Mary the mother of Jesus got to witness his first act of public ministry. In fact she sort
of instigated. There may of been other times, but this is the one recorded in scripture. And no
doubt Mary was quite proud of who her Son was. How many mother’s can say they were the
mother of our Savior. Let’s begin and take a look at Jesus first publically recorded miracle and
Mary’s role in it.
Most people enjoy going to wedding celebrations, Jesus, his disciples and Mary were no
exception to this rule. The only problem is this wedding feast had a problem they ran out of
wine. Wine some scholars believe was not full proof. Yet it does not matter how much alcohol
was in the beverage. The point is Jesus and his friends had a problem, they ran out of wine. No
Jesus was not alcoholic, in fact wine was traditional at weddings back then just like it is today
in some circles.
John 2:1-5 KJV
(1) And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was
there:
(2) And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
(3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
(4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
(5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Jesus was thirsty and Mary told him they were out of wine to drink. I am sure he could of had
water. Yet instead Jesus reply candidly my hour has not come. I wonder if Mary fully
understood what Jesus was talking about. The wine symbolizes often in the New testament the
blood Christ would shed for you and me on the cross. Yet Jesus was a servant even in life not
just to the cross. Mary responded and told the servants at the feast to do whatever Jesus told
them to do. Mary had faith that Jesus would solve the problem. How many mother’s look at a
child’s homework problem and say it can be done, you will figure it out. Giving the child time
to fix the problem knowing somehow the child will get it done on their own. Jesus was a grown
man at this time. A man with disciples following after him. Yet instead of sending his disciples
to go buy wine, he tells the servants at the wedding feast to fill some watering jars up.
John 2:6-8 KJV
(6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the
Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
(7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
(8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they
bare it.
These water pots were for washing purposes. For purification. Christ shed blood would be a
purification for us. Yet in the instance these pots were taken and filled to the brim with water.
They contained no wine or left over wine just water. Then he tells the servants go and take a
cup to the governor. You do not see one hesitate, but they did his bidding. The governor tasted
the wine and was amazed. Most people bring out the best, but it appeared the saved the best
for last or so the governor thought.
John 2:9-12 KJV
(9) When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence
it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the
bridegroom,
(10) 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.
(11) This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory;
and his disciples believed on him.
(12) After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his
disciples: and they continued there not many days.
This being the first of many miracles he would do publicly. This seems like an odd miracle to
start with. But it would also be the last miracle he would perform as well in a physical way and
not a spiritual way. The wine is a symbol of the blood Christ shed for you and me. He would
finish his ministry at the cross when he pours out his blood for you and me. Is task set to die
for you and me and then raise again to a new life and a fulfillment of ministry to come for all
those that believe.
Christ ministry did not stop at the grave in fact it began anew when He was raised up. The
blood representing the covering we have of our sins when we believe. The blood representing
the price Christ paid for you and me. Giving us a new life in Him.
1 John 1:7 KJV
(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
We take commune at church as a symbol of faith in Christ representing the blood Christ shed
for you and me.
Matthew 26:27-29 KJV
(27) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
(28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of
sins.
(29) But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day
when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
His blood shed for you and for me.
Romans 5:7-9 KJV
(7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would
even dare to die.
(8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us.
(9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through
him.
For we have redemption through the blood.
Ephesians 1:7 KJV
(7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 KJV
(14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Purpose of reconciliation or to unite us with Him.
Colossians 1:20 KJV
(20) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things
unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Without the shedding of his blood, we could not be forgiven.
Hebrews 9:22 KJV
(22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is
no remission.
Revelation 1:5 KJV
(5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and
the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his
own blood,
That is a lot of blood verses. But it shows that without Christ dying for our sins, we could not
have eternal life. All we have to do to have eternal life is believe in Jesus. He paid our sin debt
already. It is already a done deal, all we got to do is receive his gift to us of salvation. Will you
receive Jesus today? If so just ask Him to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to come live in
your heart as Lord and Savior.
|
|
|
|
|
