The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-14
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Jan. is, 1sss-John ii. Iii.

Arriving at Nazareth with his five lately-called
disciples, Jesus found invitation awaiting him
to attend the marriage to which His mother had
already FASTENED on. A ten-mile extra walk
across the wide and fertile plain brought the
little company to Cana. AS they entered the fes-
tive home of the bridegroom, six great iagons
beaded with moisture and their oriices crammed
with fresh leaves, greeted them in the vestibule.
The last water was drawn from these capacious
Jars to cleanse hands or feet of these late ar
rivals. The size, number and material of the
hagons is craven on Johns memory by what
afterwards transpires.
The ablutions over, Jesus and His disciples en-
tered the humble banquet There the male
guests were disposed according to their fancy on
the mats about the floor. Jesus presence was
no dash of sadness to that festal hour The rid
die guessing and story telling incident to such
occasions went right on The Master came not
to mar, but to adorn and beautify that marriage
feast. a moment later Jesus himself was re-
Ginning and perhaps for the first time the favored
disciple was reclining in His bosom The sym
posiarch continued to rule the feast. The happy
bridegroom, adorned and amounted, surrounded by
the sons of the bedchamber," was still the cen
ter OF attraction.
From the festal room, where the women con-
gregated and where the bride covered from
head TO foot in her loose and flowing veil, gar
landed with flowers and dressed in her fairest
ropes. was the observed OF all, Mary came to
whisper in her Sons ear that the store of wine
had failed an event considered peculiarly hui
initiating in an Oriental home Jesus reply to
suggestion that He should His divine power
to bridge this domestic chasm which His coming
with His disciples had helped to create. And it
was altogether appropriate that the other
guests had done, He should add provisions for the
banquet by a personal gift.
Even against maternal interference Jesus must
guard His miracleworking prerogative. In this
matter He has nothing in common with any
mortal, not even His own mother The times and
seasons indicated by the phrase mine hour'')
for the display of superhuman power were mat
ters of agreement between Father and Son. In
these matters 1t is presumption in the last degree
for mortal to interfere. Again His mother
must know her status toward Him. 1.-THE Son
hath now become the Lord, of the mother"
Divorced from tone and look, the words especial
~ in our version, seem harsh They were not
80; and even Mary's quick woman's wit d.
Vined that though Jesus did not work the miracle
at her suggestion He would still soon work it,
Not in the splendid temple but in a humble
home; not before Sanhedrm of savants but be-
fore company of humble Galileans, Jesus mani
tested His glory in His first miracle the special
purpose Of which was to confirm His disciples
faith in Him.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
First-Religious asceticsm finds rebuke here.
One purpose OF Jesus attendance upon the we'd
ding was exemplary. 1t taught that austerity
was not to characterize church and ministry
His example encourages the amenities and cour-
tesies Of social life.
Second-To magnify Jesus making of wine is
to make a mere accident the principle. The chief
design of this record is to show Savior sane
tlhCatlon of marriage and home life.