The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-01-19
1he First Miracle
i'm Cana
Sunday School Lesson Tor Jan. u. 1905
Prepared by the Highway ard
Byway" Preacher.



toned In John 2:43.
PLACE.-Cana Of Galilee, the home OF
Nathaniel.
A REMINDER The key text OF John :
Gospel, and hence OF every lesson taken
therefrom Is 20:3l John records TINS mel
dent as an eye witness In oruer tna' We
may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and 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 God. seeohu.
Johns witness based upon the audible ana
visible witness of God. Third, the witness
of the first disciples. And the present les
sons adds It's evidence Of the miracle.
The Lesson Outline.
THEME.-Jesus' glory manifested.
1.-The Occasion, vs. l. e
O) At a Wedding, v. l.
(2) Jesus Invited, " e.
II.-The Opportunity, VS. S-6,
% A Need and an Appeal, VS.. !, T.
(9 Willing Servants, v. b.
90 Empty Jars, v. 6.
III-The Methods, VS. z, g.
% Simple and Direct-Jesus used what
they had. A.
had not.
Iy.-The Results, VS.. ell
O) Superior Wine, vs.. D.
t2l Competent Testimony, " 10.
(0 Convinced Disciples, v. IL
Comparing Scripture with Scripture
I. The Occasion. (D At Wedding,
v. There is no occasion or circum-
stance In life that may not be made
radiant with the manifested glory OF
Jesus. It is significant that the setting
of Jesus first miracle should have been
n wedding. Jesus was neither an asceuo
nor a winebibber, the latter Of which his
enemies accused Him Of being. Matt
11:19.
(p) Jesus Invited, v. 1.-Two signifi-
cant points: /. The desire for Jesus
presence, and 2, His willingness to come.
II Jesus were at more weddings to-day.
there would be less marriages which
prove failures and fewer divorces.
IL. The Opportunity. O A Need and
an Appeal, VS.. 3, 4.-The glory of Jesus
always shines forth where there Is O
need to supply and turning TO Him In
faith for help. Comp. Phil. AIS With
Phil. 4:6. The wine Of the world is sure
to fail sooner or later and tten we must
turn to Jesus TO obtain the wine which
can satisfy.
(2) Willing Servants, V. ga wom-
an with faith could inspire the servants
with a willing spirit to do the Masters
will r'aith wins cooperation, always.
And cooperation is needed that Jesus
power and glory may be manifested.
(8) Empty Jars, v. Cit is the emp
ty vessel which Jesus wants. Empty
that He may fill it. Note all through
this incident how dependent Gods pow
er is upon human agencies: The human
need, the appeal of faith, the willing
servants, and then even the empty jars.
III. The Methods. % Simple and
Direct, v. 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 some
times. but If We obey 1t 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. 10:31; Col. BIT.
(2) 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 10
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. 1871, /, 2. Jesus glory is
manifested thus.
w. The Results. (1) Superior Wine,
v. 9.-Permit no discussion of the nom
sensical question as to whether the wine
was alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Surely.
He from Whom "every good and perfect
gift" comes would not supply that which
would harm or destroy. Gods Word
cries out In no uncertain terms against
strong drink.
(O 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
(0 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 thew
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 unbeieving
guests, had you been there? Where do
you stand to-day?
The Golden Text.