The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-11
READING FOR THE DAY.
Bunday.school Lesson for April Is, 1886.
1tur Erner Mn on -InuN Il LII

Bunday-school Lesson for April Is, 1886.
The FIRST IRAcLE.-JoHN ii, ILL.
Golden Tezt--rhis beginning Of miracles did Jesus
N Cana OF GaHlee, and manifested forth bis glory;
and His disciples believed on Him.-John ii. IL.
We have q very ancient and interesting story
Of Christs childhood, and several accounts of
miracles slid to have been wrought by Jesus
when a boy. Many of them are very beautiful,
and worth being true. But all Of these are swept
away by this inspired writer. who declares that
he here gives us the beginning, the first of the
miracles, or signs, worked by Christ.
Jesus and His little company travelled from
Bethany to Cana in three days. 1t is very pos
sible that on reaching this place He found Mary,
His mother, attending the marriage feast OF a
relative in Cana, a place only about six miles
from NAZARETH; and when It was found that
Jesus and His disciples were present IN the VII
liage they were all invited to the marriage. 1t
was most important that He make II clear that
He was 1.-The son of man." His voluntary
He had with the Father" to become
man was more important as a fundamental con-
ception in the MINDS Of His disciples at this
time thar that Of His being Hthe Son of God" or
1.-THE King of Israeli Hence His readiness TO
attend the marriage-feast and to manifest Has
interest and sympathy in the things that showed
Him a man among men.
In the Jewish marriage 1t sometimes happened
that the bridegroom never saw the face OF the
bride until the day of marriage. The feast of
betrothal was held at the brides home, often,
weeks before the wedding. The marriage feast,
when the bride was brought to the home or ner
husband by his friends, was a season OF festivi-
~, lasting sometimes a whole week, when ne
was able to bear the expense. 1t was q great
strain on the purse Of the poor to provide food
and wine for the many who attended. 1t would
seem as though Jesus and His disciples made a
somewhat unexpected demand on their resources
Rt a late hour, and that they suddenly found
that they were without wine. Nothing could
be more Notifying, and Jesus kindly aids them
IN their need.
PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR DAILY LIFE.
!. It Is perfectly consistent with Christian
character to mingle with the people OF the world,
to visit their homes, and accept invitations TO
their feasts. Christ did it in a way that won
their respect and love, and made them ready to
listen to his teachings. We may be in the world
and yet not of it We may preach to men
by our spirit and life even more than by our
formal words.
2 Mine hour is not vet come. Mary would
have him do something for which he was not
ready, God delays his work in a way that
makes men impatient. But God waits for the
best time, the proper hour, when the word or
deed will do the most good. Learn to wait
Gods time.
8. Whatsoever he saith, doeth it. We can
not always see the reasons for Gods commaLds.
We must obey sometimes in the dark, but the
answer will be In the light.
a Fill them with water. That is our part
Fill your mind with truth, with good and clear
plans Of work, with great thoughts of men, and
then the power of God shall change this water
into the wine of the kingdom. So many only
half fill. and receive only half, but according to
their faith.
g. Thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Jesus keeps and gives the best at the last You
may expect things "better further on" You
heed not refer to forty years ago." but rather
10 the good of to-day and the better things in
btore. Old age should and often does illustrate
ihis truth--the best at the last.