The Tupelo journal., 1905-01-20
Tie First Miracle
i'm Cana
Sunday School Lesson for Jan. u. 1905
Prepared by the Highway and
Byway" Preacher.

Nathaniel.
A REMINDER.-The key text Of Johns
Gospel. and hence OF every lesson .aheh
therefrom. is 20:3l. John records this incl
dent as an eve witness in order that we
may believe that Jesus is the Chrlst, the
Son of God: and that believing We may
nave life in His name Notlce now the
Divinity of Christ is attested in each les
son thus far. First. His existence traceo
hack to the beginning with COO. Secoho,
Johns witness based upon the auoloie am
visible witness Of God. Third, the Witness
If the first disciples. And the present les
sons adds its evidence of the miracle.
The Lesson Outline.
THEME.-Jesus' glory manifested
1.-The Occasion. VS.. l. Z
~ At a Wedding, VI
t2) Jesus Invited, v. 2.
1.-THE Opportunity. VS.. 80
N A Need and an Appeal. VS.. 80
81 Willing Servants, V. b.
go Empty Jars. V, ..
n-The Methods, VS.. I. 3.
n, Simnle and D~irect-Jesus used what
they had. 49,.
had not.
TV.-The Results. VS. 9-lL
~ Superior Wine. VS.. y
-, Competent Testimony, v. III.
-, Convinced Disciples, V. IL.
comraring Scripture with scripture.
Ybe Occasion. % at a Wedolhg'
v There is no occasion OF clrcunl-
stance in life that may not be made
radiant with the manifested glory Vi
.Jesus. 1t is significant that the settlhe
of .JesUs' first miracle should nave peeA
a wedding. Jesus was neither an ascetie
nor q ~winebibbeT, the latter OF winch hls
enemies accused Him OF being. Matt,
11:19.
-, .Jesus Invited. V. 1.-Two signih-
cant points: /. The desire for Jesus
nresence. and 2, His willingness to come,
If Jesus were at more weddings to-day
there would be less marriages. winch
nrove failures and fewer divorces.
II The Opportunity. % A Need and
ar 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. 4:19 with
Phil 4:6. The wine OF the world is sure
to fail sooner or later and then we mus!
turn to Jesus to obtain the wine which
can satisfy.
(2) Willing Servants, V. 5.-A 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.
, go Empty Jars, V. cit is the emp
~ vessel which Jesus wants. Empty
that He may fill it. Note all through
his incident how dependent Gods pow
err is upon human agencies: Thehuman
need. the appeal of faith, the willing
servants. and Their even the empty jars,
Ill. The Methods. % Simple and
Direct. v. 7.-Jesus began with what
they had. Here is a wonderful lesson
for every one who would render helpful
ministry to others. 1t was the rod in
Moses hand and the sling in David's
hand which God was pleased to use.
Gen. Az; l Sam. 17:40. Jesus asks Us
to do seemingly foolish things
times. but if We obey it brings its re-
ward. and its glory. In Jesus response
to the appeal we have revealed the spirit
in which He had gone to the wedding.
1t was that He might serve others and
witness to the truth. What an example
for US. / Cor. 1871; Col. 81.
CD Transforming. V. S.-Beginning
with what they had. Jesus gave them
what they had not. Water-and yet as
they obediently poured out and bore &c
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 in
living sacrifice to God is transformed
into the likeness of Christ's perfect char
acter. Rom. 1921, 1, 2. Jesus glory is
manifested thus.
". The Results. % Superior Wine,
". 9.-Permit no discussion of the non
sensical question as to whether the wine
was alcoholic or n~on-alcoholic. Surely,
He from Whom every good and perfect
gift comes would not supply hat which
would harm or destroy. Gods Word
cries out in no uncertain terms against
strong drink.
GU Competent Testimony, v. TO-
Ignorant, of the origin of this wine. the
governor appreciates its high quality.
This is conclusive evidence of the
miracle which Jesus had wrought.
CD Convinced Disciples, v. 11.-No
mention is made Of the others in attend
ance on the feast as to 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 NOT
receive the Christ. All, how true this is
Of people to-day! Willing to take all
that God has to give. but unwilling to
believe in His only begotten Son. In
which group would you have been. with
the few disciples or the u~nbelieving
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 if this injunction were obeyed! How
speedily the world would be brought to
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. or loss. DO it,"
and you will have: Peace and joy with
in, and success and blessing without.
Self is an unsafe master. Whatsoever
self saith unto you, do it not. But
whatsoever Jesus saith to you. do 1t"
If it is true that experiments in Italy
recently demonstrated that messages