The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-01-17

memory verses "a - Commentary ON
the Days Lesson.
/. The marriage in Cana US. i IS.
THE third day. From the calling Of
the time John the Baptist had answered
the authorities from Jerusalem It is cal
culated that Wednesday was the dav Il
being the usual day for weddings for Jew
ish maidens. Widows were married on
Thursday A marriage, Including the
brated for several days The family was
the first divine institution among men, and
is the basis of all that has followed
2. Jesus was called Invited This
was natural, especially if His mother was
a relative. 1t was according to custom
should be invited Disciples The dis
ciples were those already mentioned-An-
drew, Simon, John. Philip, Nathaniel and
probably James. Jesus sanchhes trne
earthly JOY. We need not wonder to find
the Lord of life at that festival. for He
came to sanctify all lifeits times Of JOY
and it's times of sorrow, and all experience
tells us that it is times Of gladness which
especially need such sanctifying power.
God wants us to be happy He has given
hundred joys to every sorrow.
81. The mother Of Jesus Tvs. 35) 3.
When the vine failed" (R. VI To East
ern hospitality such mishap would be
disgraceful. The family no doubt was
poor extra guests had come and the sup
ply was limited. There has been much dis
cussion as to whether Jesus made wine that
would intoxicate. DR.. Whedon says: I'VE
see no reason for supposing that the wine
of the present occasion was of that kind
upon which Scripture places its strongest
interdict" Proy. 20:l; 23:3l; lisa. 22:l3).
No one can prove that it contained intoxi-
eating qualities, and there are many and
strong reasons for believing that it was as
pure and harmless as the juice OF the grape
fresh from the vines. Minebibbers need
not undertake to fail back on this miracle
as an excuse for the qualification Of their
perverted appetites. If Jesus were in
America to-day we know very well what
His attitude would be toward the accursed
saloon and toward wine at banquets, and
in fact toward the banquets as they are
now carried on. We nav be sure that He
never encouraged anything which would
lead. as our Intoxicating liquors do, to
degradation and ruin. Mother-saith,"
etc. She probably spoke to Him privately
Although Christ had as yet performed no
miracle, yet His mother feels sure that He
Is able to help them in the present emer-
4. Woman. This at first sounds harsh
to our ears, but it was equivalent to our
saying Lady" and was highly respect-
tui and affectionate mode of address," He
does not call her mother" because it was
necessary now, at once and forever. to
show her that He was not Jesus the Son
OF Mary, but the Christ the Son of God:
that as regarded His great work and mis-
sion, His eternal being, the significance Of
the beautiful relationship had passed away
1t could not have been done In manner
more decisive, yet more entirely tender
What have to do with thee?" What is
there IN common between u.s. He cannot
lrt1fFf rr,vl-1 l, i
derstand the influences directing His pres
ent life Mine hour" The hour for The
manifestation al His glory Jesus rejects
the worldly ambition in Mary's request.
She desires brilliant miracle, as a public
sign Of His coming. Jesus penetrates this
ambitious thought, and traces a boundary
for Mary's desires, which she should no
more attempt to cross. But this does not
prevent His understanding that along with
this there is something to be done in view
OF the present difficulty As soon as all
heshly claim to hold control over, or cain
emolnment by, His Messanic power was
TeJected-as soon as His mother retired to
her proper position-then was the last oh
stacle removed; His area of action imme-
diately opened, and the hour to manifest
forth His glory by miracle had arrived. I
O. Whatsoever-do it." Principally OBJ
serve His orders without asking questions.
Her faith in Him had not weakened. The
answer shows what she was expecting Him
TO do. Let us take her answer as the
motto Of our lives
III The miracle wrought Tvs. 6-ll). 6.
Six waterpots." A large quantity Of
water was needed at a Jewish banquet be-
cause OF the manner of purifying Of The
Jews'--the hands and feet Of the guests
must be, washed, and 1.-THE washing Of
cups and Jugs and bottles went on the
whole day. Two or three frkins' Al
firkin was about nine gallons, therefore
these waterpots held between l0S and 1872
gallons
II. "To the brirn" We do not know
that they. were entirely empty, but whaB
ever mad been drawn out was replaced
Draw out The word for draw NAV m
used in the sense of dip out Unto the
governor. The president of the banquet.
They bare it." Here faith was required
10 put water in the Jars required ODE
dience, but to draw that water out and
pass 1t to the chief guest as wine made a
strong demand on faith.
8. knew not" Knew not the rairaeu-
lous origin Of the wine. ssSeryants--
Knew. The independent witness to the
two parts of the miracle establishes Its re-
atty. The ruler of the feast declares what
the element is, the servants knew what It
was, 10. Every man." This is the com
mon custom among men. Well drunk
Men who have had enough are Indifferent
as to the quality of the wine set before
them. The ruler Of the feast is but allud-
lag to the corrupt customs and fashions
among men, and not to aucht that was
going. on before his eyes, for such the Lord
would have as little sanctioned bv His
presence as He would have helped 1t for
ward by wonder-worlx of His own. Sin
gives its best-its pleasures aud honors--
frst; its worst--its sorrow, poverty, dis
grace and ruin-follow First harlots and
Tlotous living, then swine. Christ gives
first the cross, the race, the battle; then
the crown. rest and glory.
IL, Manifested fa~th His glory" A
prophet would manifest the glory Of God.
but he His own glory. for He was God.
The miracles and wonders of Jesus were
all signs ~ Of Christ's divine nature; t2l
Of His mission as from God; go Of His
good will toward men; (4) Of the TRUTHS
that He taught 81 Of the nature and
character Of God. Disciples believed On
Him" Their faith was now confirmed
They We're now sure they had found the
Messiah. It was 400 years since the Jews
had seen q prophet who could perform
miracles The guests partook Of the wine.
the disciples had something far betterar
increase of faith. Others simply ate and
crank hese men saw God in Cheist
manhesting His glory.