Monday, September 19, 2011

2011 September 19 - Morning Manna

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:1-11)

Today's Morsel: The turning of the water into wine by Jesus, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee has confounded many people. Many see this as a reason or an opportunity (justification) for them to drink and not to change.  I think if we understood what Solomon's mother told him,  "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more" (Proverbs 31:4-7), then we would understand one of the reasons why we shouldn't take everything at face value.  What we need to do is look for the spiritual application of every event and story in the Bible, and not try to apply them simply to our natural thinking and reasoning; as the Bible is a spiritual book.  Paul said, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).  You need the Holy Ghost to understand the Bible.  The wedding represents our final gathering at the wedding supper of the Lamb.  Note, both Jesus was called and His disciples to the marriage.  Not everyone will be called to this supper.  Mary, His mother, says that they don't have any wine.  The wine is symbolic of the Holy Ghost, the new wine.  Jesus said to his mother that His hour was not yet come.  Sorry, but until I ascend to heaven, they can't have the new wine.  When Jesus tells the woman in John chapter 4, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water"(John 4:10), He was referring to the Holy Ghost.  Notice what the governor said, "You've saved the best for last."  Paul said, "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual" (1 Corinthians 15:45-46).  The Holy Ghost, which is the new wine, is always given last.  If Adam and Eve had never sinned in the garden, there would have been no need for God to robe Himself in flesh and come to the earth to save us.  You can't put new wine in an old wineskin for it will break the skins.  This is why we must repent before God will fill us with His Spirit.  When the pots were filled with water, Jesus never said a word but "Draw out and give to the governor of the feast."  And the governor said to the bridegroom, "You've kept the best for last."  Jesus is the Bridegroom and He's kept the best, the Holy Ghost, for last.  So don't be confused about it being okay to drink wine from this story.  It's all symbolic of heaven.  As Solomon said, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" Proverbs 20:1).

Sing:
1.  I thirsted in a barren land of sin and shame, and nothing satisfying there I found; But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came, Where springs of living water did abound.  (Chorus)

2. How sweet the living water from the hills of God, It makes me glad and happy all the way; Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I trod, I'm shouting Hallelujah every day.  (Chorus)

3. O sinner, won't you come today to Calvary? A fountain there is flowing deep and wide; The Saviour now invites you to the water free, Where thirsting spirits can be satisfied. (Chorus)

Chorus
Drinking at the springs of living water, Happy now am I, my soul they satisfied; Drinking at the springs of living water, O wonderful and bountiful supply.  

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