The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-01-19
The First Miracle
in Cana
Sunday School Lesson for Jan. u. 1905
Prepared by the Highway and
Byway" Preacher.


PLkCE-cana Of Gaillee. the home Of
Nathaniel
A REMAINDER. -The key text Of Johns
Gospel. and hence Of every lesson taken
therefrom. II 20:Sl John RECORDS 'hls iuCl-
dent as an eye winners IN order that We
"may believe that Jesus II the christ, the
son Of God: aud that believing ye may
have life In His name Notice how the
Divinity OF Christ is attested In each les-
SON thus far First. His existence traced
back to the beginning with GOO. SeSonu;
Johns witness based upon the audible ana
visible witness Of God. Third. the witness
of the FIRST disciples And the present les
sons adds its evidence Of the mirae"
The Lesson Outline.
THEME. Jesus glory manifested
The Occasion. vs.. 1,
Q) Al a Wedding, v
t2) Jesus Invited. '.
1.-THE Opportunity. vs.. 80
u A Need ana an Appeal, VS.
(g willing Servants. v, .
80 Empty Jars. v.
III. The Methods. W. l.
40 simple and Direct-Jesus USED "hat
fn Transforming- what they
had not
IV.-The Results. vs.. 81
tD Superior " Vine. vs. y
f1 C,ompetent Testimony. v 10
CO Convinced Disciples. v. II.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture
The occasion. Cd At a wedding
There is no occasion or eircum-
STANCE in life that may not be made
radiant with the manifested glory Oh
Jesus. II is significant that the setting
Of Jesus' first miracle should have been
a wedding. Jesus was neither an aseeiic
nor a wineblbber. the latter OF which MS
enemies accused Him Of being Matt
1919.
t2) Jesus Invited, v. 1.-Two signlh-
con, noints: 1. The desire for Jesus
presence. and 2. His willingness 70 come
/ II Jesus we're at more weddings To-Day
there would be less marriages which
prove failures and fewer divorces.
II. The Opportunity. OD A Need and
an Appeal. VS.. 3, 4.-The glory Of Jesus
always shines forth where there Is
need TO supply and a turning to Him In
faith for help. Comp. Phil 4:ls with
| Phil. 4:6. The wine Of the world Is sure
/ 20 fail sooner or later and then We must
turn 10 Jesus to obtain the wine which
/ can satisfy.
90 willing Servants. v. IA wom-
an with faith could inspire the servants
with a willing spirit TO do the Masters
will Faith wins cooperation. always.
/ And cooperation Is needed that Jesus
power and glory may be manifested.
CD Empty Jars. '. cit Is the emp
"a vessel which Jesus wants. Empty
/ that lie may an 1t. Note all through
this incident how dependent Gods pow
or is upon human agencies: The humaa
need. the appeal OF faith, the willing
servants. and then even the empty jars
{ Ill The Methods. Cd Simple and
Direct. v. Jesus began with what
/ they had Here is a wonderful lesson
I for every one who would render helpful
ministry 70 others. Il was the rod In
7 Moses hand and the sling In Davlds
hand which God was pleased to use.
Gen. AZ: ! Sam. 1870 Jesus asks Us
10 do seemingly foolish things some
times. but II We obey Il brings It's re-
ward. and its glory. In Jesus response
I 10 the appeal we have revealed the spiris
in which He had gone to the wedding
! It was that He might serve others and
I witness 10 the truth. What an example
I for us. Cor 1881. Col 3.17
90 Transforming. " s.-BeFinnlng
I with what they had, Jesus gave them
/ what they had not. Water-and yet as
! they obediently poured out aud bore %
I the governor Of the feast. the water was
transformed The commonest things OF
life when poured out In service for
Others are transformed. Self given 10
I living sacrifice to God Is transformed
into the likeness Of Christs perfect char
acter Rom. 1891 l. ?. Jesus glory Is
manifested thus.
w The Results. (D Superior Wine,
v. 9.-Permit no discussion Of the non
seuslcal question as 10 whether the vitae
was alcoholic or Eon-alcoholic Surely.
He from Whom every good and perfect
gift" comes would not supply that which
would harm or destroy. Gods Worl
cries out in no uncertain terms against
strong drink.
90 Competer, Testimony. v 10
Ignorant Of the origin Of this wine the
governor appreciates Us high quality.
This Is conclusive evidence Of the
miracle which Jesus had wrought
go Convinced Disciples. " l.-No
mention is made OF the others in attenc-
ance on the feast as 10 The effect Of this
miracle upon them. Surely. had thev
believed on Jesus. Scripture would have
so recorded. They could receive this
wine from His hand. but they could noj
receive the Christ All. how true this is
Of people to-day! Willing TO take al
that God has to give but unwilling to
believe in His only besotten Son. In
which group would you have been. with
the few disciples or the unbelieviny
guests, had you been there? Where do
you stand to-day?
The Golden Text.
Whatsoever He saith unto you, do
it"-What a different world this would
be II this injunction were obeyedl How
speedily the world would be brought 10
Christ did every Christian obey the voice
Of Jesus! Whatsoever" includes all
the range of human need and service.
do IT,. Though you understand not:
though It may bring ridicule, or perse-
cution, or suffering. OF loss. DO H."
and you will have: Peace and Joy with