THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

PART 1 – The Best For Last

What is a miracle?

: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs, an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

Miracles are not God’s highest and best, but often what is necessary to bring us, or situations that affect us into His intended purposes and plans.

John 2:1-12

2 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. ³ The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” ⁴ “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” ⁵ But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ⁶ Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.⁷ Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, ⁸ he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. ⁹ When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ¹⁰ “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

¹¹ This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. ¹² After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

SEVEN TAKEAWAYS FROM JESUS’ FIRST MIRICLE

1. Jesus Was Invited

Revelation 3:20 (NLT) – "Look! I stand at the door and knock..."

James 4:8 (NLT) – "Come close to God, and God will come close to you."

2. There Was a Shortage

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) – And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:10 (NLT) – "Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) – "My grace is all you need..."

3. Even Jesus, In His Humanity, Needed Prodding

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) – "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV) – ^9 “Two are better than one,Because they have a good reward for their labor.¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.But woe to him who is alone when he falls,For he has no one to help him up.”

Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV) – “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,”

4. Simple Instructions Were Given

John 2:5 (NLT) – "Do whatever he tells you."

Isaiah 1:19 (NKJV) – “If you are willing and obedient,You shall eat the good of the land;”

Luke 11:28 (NLT) – "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

5. Lack Turned Into Abundance

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”

Psalm 23:5 (NLT) – "My cup overflows with blessings."

John 10:10 (NKJV) – “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

6. The Celebration Was Saved

Luke 19:10 (NLT) – "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT) – “I waited patiently for the Lord;And He inclined to me,And heard my cry.² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay,And set my feet upon a rock,And established my steps.³ He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;Many will see it and fear,And will trust in the Lord.”

Romans 5:8 (NLT) – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 10:13 (NLT) – “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

7. The Best Was Reserved for Last

John 2:10 (NLT) – "But you have kept the best until now!"

Haggai 2:9 (NLT) – "The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory..."

Job 42:12 (NLT) – "So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning."

Philippians 1:6 (NLT) – "He who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished."

Romans 8:18 (NLT) – "Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us later."