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Monday, June 27, 2011

Jesus Story: The Wedding in Cana

In the book of John chapter two we have the only account of a wedding feast attended by Jesus and His disciples. This means nothing except that John was lead to record it and the others were not. It is a wonderful picture of Christ's character to see that the first recorded event that He took the disciples to was a celebration. A wedding.
There have been many assumptions about this story by well meaning ministers and Hollywood. I would like to first address a couple of these and keep in mind that this story is about Jesus and all of the other characters in the story are extras and not meant to be scrutinized. It was not written to present doctrine. When we stray from Jesus and focus too much on others and events, we risk the danger of taking our eyes off Jesus and sinking into the deepest of error.
For example, Mary is shown in movies as being a relative of the couple. No where does it say this, although Mary seems to be overly concerned about the wine running out and making the family look bad. Either she was a relative, a busy body or just a compassionate person noticing that the "MC" was not doing his job by tending to the wine. Many have tried to prove that Mary is not so important because Jesus called her "Woman" and not Mother. Mary did give some very good advice, " What ever He says to you, do it." But again these passages are not about Mary, although "Blessed is she among all Women". This story is about Jesus.
Another example is how many use the fact of the MC calling the wine Jesus made as "good" to show that Jesus made unfermented wine and we as Christians should not drink it also. But these verses are not about the wine. Whether the unfermented wine was drank last so the people would not get drunk all through the ceremony or the fermented wine was served first. Who knows and really, "Who cares?" This story is about Jesus.
Some have tried to use numerology to set some kind of mystic meaning to the number of pots used and how much they held. But in truth all it shows is that a lot of water was used. This story is about Jesus and not a bunch of pots.
Now to the point, when I read this story about Jesus I saw the finger of God all over it. A story no earthly man could have conceived. You see the story, which is a fact, is also a prophecy as to the way Christ's ministry on earth will end. As it states, " in three days." We remember the stories of Jonah and Lazarus and how these stories point to the Resurrection of Jesus. This event is the same. It points to Jesus rising again on the third day to complete the task giving Him, as in the deliverance of Jonah from the great fish and Lazarus from the grave. We see in this picture that the pots used in the obedience of the law, were used to produce wine by Jesus. We know that wine is symbolic of His blood being shed
for our transgressions. Out of the pots that were set aside, consecrated and used only for the purification ritual, came grace. Showing that law became grace and that's when the party got into full swing. The celebration really started then. Only the Lord could have set this up to show us He had a plan from the beginning. NO man could have done this. The Bible truly is a remarkable book and inspired by God.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Seeking the Kingdom

Our Pastor, Bro. Robert, has been teaching us on prayer. The other day he
mentioned Luke 12:32 and the three aspects of God seen in this one verse.
"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you
the kingdom."
1st God is a Shephard. Jesus the Good Shepard always cares for the sheep. See
the 23rd Psalms
2nd God is a Father. A real father always wants to bless His children.
3rd God is a King. Jesus is the King of Kings. And it is His pleasure to give it
to us. Not to give us control of it, but to set it up for us to live in.

In full control of His reign.
These are three really good marks of the Lord. Those who say He is venageful and
hatful just don't know Him like I do.And in knowing this I have no problem
seeking the Kingdom First (Luke 12:31)

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Just Read: Rescue by John Bevere & Mark Olsen

My wife, Stephanna, just read a book and gave it to me about three days ago with
the challenge to get it read by Sunday. I started it that day and finished it in
two days.

The book was, "Rescue" by John Bevere and Mark Olsen. I do not believe I have
ever read any of John or Marks books before. I am familiar with Mark's
"Hadassah: One Night With The King". This book was written in 2006 and published by Bethany House.

I found it to be a very good work of fiction with a lot of Biblical truth and
teaching, mixed in with a little suspense. I believe Steph wanted me to read it
before Sunday because it dealt a lot with Church, the Gospel, marriage, divorce
and just plain relationships without being sentimental worldview dribble. A good
look at how what looks like a great church on the outside can be deceiving. But
we want beat that dead horse.
I really recommend that everyone from Pastor down get a hold of this book and
read it.
Caution through, it might mess up some of your theology.