The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-22
SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
AUGUST 20.
Lesson Text: sFirst Miracle Of
Jesus" John H., 1-11-Golden
Text: John H.. IL
Commentary.

riaCe in Cana OF Gal1tee, ana tne mother OF
Jesus was there" The number three is ono
of the most suggestive OF Bible numbers
from Genesis to Revelation. 1t stands for
solidity or fullnpss and. in connection with
the Trinity. divine fullness. The third day
is suggestive Of resurrection, as in tho
resurrection OF Isaac and Jonah and Jesus
(Gen. xii, 4 Math Kill. 40 Hos. vi. p.
This first miracle makes us think OF the
marriage OF the Lamb. which Will probably
take place on the morning OF the third day.
2. And both Jesus was called and His
disciples to the marriage" The disciples at
this time were probably Andrew, Simon,
John. James, Philip and NathanasI. and 1t
may have been. for auSht we know. the
marriage Of Nathaniel. for he belonged to
Cana John XXI, y. Some day we shall
know, II necessary. We may think OF Mary
and Jesus and the disciples finding time to
attend q marriage and glorifyine God BY
so doing. It is safe to 20 anywhere with
Jesus and serve or wait with Htm.
g. "And when they wanted wine the
mother OF Jesus saith unto Him. They have
no wine" There was then q necessity un-
supplied, which will give Jesus On opror-
tunity to work. Happy will we be If we
see in every time of need an occasion for
Jesus to manifest Himself. And are not all
needs permitted to come to the children OF
God Just TO give occasion 20 fulfill tho
promise. my God shall supply all your
need according to His riches III glory by
Christ Jesus?" (Phil. iv., 19). Wine must
be good when God makes 1t and provides
it, Tor there would surely he no leaven In II,
no evil. and yet we read, Thy love is better
than wine Is. OF Sol. j., p.
4. Jesus saith unto her Woman, what
have I to do with thee? Mine hour Is not
yet come" Whatever apparent difficulty
there may be in these words. We may be
sure that there was nothing disrespectlul
to Mary, for Jesus never said nor did a
wrong thing, nor anything out of place. AS
TO the time not being come, God IS never too
fast nor too slow in anything He does. The
year and month and day and hour and
moment are all clear and known to Him for
every event. He is never taken by sur
prise, never unprepared.
S. His mother saith unto the servants,
Whatsoever Ho saith unto you. do 1t. She
did not misunderstood Him nor take amiss
what He had said, but sure that He would
see to it. she gives this order to the servants.
How would 1t do to hand all servants over TO
Him for His management and rest IN HIS
ordering OF persons and things! Certainly
it would be we'll for US all TO take delight
in being His bond servants ready TO fill
promptly all His appointments Oh Sam.
xv., 15).
b. Anu IQ6re WPr6 SCI tucEo SiA WdlCL-
pots OF stone, after the manner OF the purt-
lying Of the Jews, containing twoo or three
firkins apiece" Vessels for purifying. How
suggestive! And six CT them, the human
number, the number OF man. and Jesus will
presently use them. How many verses come
to mind "A vessel meet for the Masters
use," "We have this treasure in earthen YES
sells and sometimes they are vessels OF
only second sort (II Tim. H.. 81: II Cor.
iv.. 7: Ez. l.. 10Y. The great thing is to be
ready to His hand and empty-ready II He
wants me. having no plans nor purposes but
His willing, il He should not require me,
in silence to wait on Him still, my heart
singing. "Thou art worthy. Lord. and L
am for Thy pleasure that Thou mayest De
magnifed."
z. "Jesus saith unto them. Fill the water
pots with water And they filled them up to
the brim." 1t was wine they wanted, but he
orders water. Again how perfect Born OF
water, a we'll OF water springing up, rivers
OF living water (John ill.,, 5; iv.. Il vii,
3S). And filled to the brim. Dear fellow be-
lever, would you be Of use TO Him in connec-
ton with His approaching marriage? Then
let the servants fill you with living water,
even His word AMI Spirit (John vi. 63).
8. And He saith unto them. Draw out
now and bear unto the governor OF the
least, and they bare it" We receive the
water not for ourselves. but for others. We
receive it only to pass It on. and unless we
pass 1t on We ure not using it aright. We are
Supposed 10 live not unto ourselves, out
unto Him who loved us and gave Himself
tor US, to the governor first. Whether WRIT
ing letter or making call. teaching a
class or preaching the Gospel. it must bs
unto Him." not us pleasing men, but God,
who trieth our heurts. studying to show our
selves approved unto God II Iness. H., + /.
II Tim. H.. 15l.
8. when the ruler OF the feast hal tasted
the water that was made wine and knew not.
whence il was, but the servants which drew
the water knew, the governor OF the feast
called the bridegroom" See how the water.
probably as it was drawn out was changed
into wine. AS wegiYe fourth the living water
it maketh glad the heart OF man. like the
wine OF the kingdom. The true bridegroom,
whose approaching marriage we greatly re-
ioice in, is Jesus Himself, and it Is we'll when
the water we bear TO others makes them 80
glad that they inquire for the bridegroom.
People say: Where do you get such good
wine? How do you find 80 much an such
precious things in the book? The servants
who draw the water know He docs 1t all.
10. "And saith unto Him. Every man ut
the beginning doth Set forth good wine. and
when men have we'll drunk then thar which
is worse, but thou hast KEEP the good wine
until now" Confning ourselves Tor mo-
nent to the actual event in Cana that day,
see how Jesus, who wrought the miracle. is
passed by and the bridegroom gets the credit.
1t requires great grace - be- the instrument
in good work and see another get the credit
of it. but His grac. is sufficient even forthat.
Let US SEE that we in all things magnify the
Lord as we hope that bridegroom did that
day, informing the governor rs to the author
of the wine. In all the feasts where the Lord
provides it is better further on. and the last
will be the best.
II. ''This beginning OF miracles did Je-
sus in Cana OF GaIiee, and manifested forth
His glory, and His disciples believed on
Him" His glory will be manifested at His
own marriage ere He shall return for the
judgment Of nations, the conversion OF
Israel and the establishment of His kingdom
under the whole heaven dan. VIII. 27).
Then Shall all our cups Of cold wates be
changed into the new wine OF the kingdom,
and all Israel shall believe on Him as they
shall look upon Him whom they have pierced
and sing blessed be He that cometh in the
name OF the Lord" This is our God. We
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