Sun,
Jan 12
1. THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY
a. Where did Jesus begin His ministry on earth? John 2:1, 2.
“Jesus did not begin His ministry by some great work before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. At a household gathering in a little Galilean village His power was put forth to add to the joy of a wedding feast. Thus He showed His sympathy with men, and His desire to minister to their happiness. In the wilderness of temptation He Himself had drunk the cup of woe. He came forth to give to men the cup of blessing, by His benediction to hallow the relations of human life.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 144.
b. What happened long before the end of the wedding feast? John 2:3.
“[Mary] longed to have [Jesus] prove to the company that He was really the Honored of God. She hoped there might be opportunity for Him to work a miracle before them.
“It was the custom of the times for marriage festivities to continue several days. On this occasion, before the feast ended it was found that the supply of wine had failed. This discovery caused much perplexity and regret. It was unusual to dispense with wine on festive occasions, and its absence would seem to indicate a want of hospitality.”—Ibid., pp. 145, 146.
Mon,
Jan 13
2. CHRIST AND HIS MOTHER
a. What did Christ’s mother say, and what was His answer? John 2:3, 4.
“[John 2:4 quoted.] This answer, abrupt as it seems to us, expressed no coldness or discourtesy. The Saviour’s form of address to His mother was in accordance with Oriental custom. It was used toward persons to whom it was desired to show respect. Every act of Christ’s earthly life was in harmony with the precept He Himself had given, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother.’ Exodus 20:12. On the cross, in His last act of tenderness toward His mother, Jesus again addressed her in the same way, as He committed her to the care of His best-loved disciple. Both at the marriage feast and upon the cross, the love expressed in tone and look and manner interpreted His words.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 146.
b. What did Christ’s mother say to the servants—and how do these words likewise apply to us today? John 2:5.
“[Christ’s] followers are to become more and more a power in the proclamation of the truth as they draw nearer to the perfection of faith and of love for their brethren. God has provided divine assistance for all emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts. He means that sufficient facilities shall be provided for the working out of his plans. I bid you seek counsel from God. Seek Him with the whole heart, and ‘whatsoever He saith unto you, do.’ John 2:5.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 414, 415.
c. What did Jesus tell the servant at the wedding to do? John 2:6–8.
“Beside the doorway stood six large stone water jars, and Jesus bade the servants fill these with water. It was done. Then as the wine was wanted for immediate use, He said, ‘Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.’ Instead of the water with which the vessels had been filled, there flowed forth wine.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 148.
Tue,
Jan 14
3. THE WINE OF CHRIST
a. When the wine was served, how did the governor of the feast respond? John 2:9, 10.
“Neither the ruler of the feast nor the guests generally were aware that the supply of wine had failed. Upon tasting that which the servants brought, the ruler found it superior to any he had ever before drunk, and very different from that served at the beginning of the feast.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 148.
b. What type of wine did Christ provide? Isaiah 65:8.
“The wine which Christ provided for the feast, and that which He gave to the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape. To this the prophet Isaiah refers when he speaks of the new wine ‘in the cluster,’ and says, ‘Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it.’ Isaiah 65:8. . . .
“The unfermented wine which He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink. Its effect was to bring the taste into harmony with a healthful appetite.”—Ibid., p. 149.
c. What does Scripture say about fermented wine? Proverbs 20:1; 23:29–35.
“It was Christ who in the Old Testament gave the warning to Israel, ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ Proverbs 20:1. And He Himself provided no such beverage. Satan tempts men to indulgence that will becloud reason and benumb the spiritual perceptions, but Christ teaches us to bring the lower nature into subjection. His whole life was an example of self-denial. In order to break the power of appetite, He suffered in our behalf the severest test that humanity could endure. It was Christ who directed that John the Baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink. It was He who enjoined similar abstinence upon the wife of Manoah. And He pronounced a curse upon the man who should put the bottle to his neighbor’s lips. Christ did not contradict His own teaching.”—Ibid.
Wed,
Jan 15
4. CHRIST’S EXAMPLE AT SOCIAL GATHERINGS
a. What objectives were achieved both through Christ’s presence and His miracle at the wedding feast, even for us today? John 2:11.
“Christ knew all things; He looked down the ages to our own time, and saw what would be the condition of society in the close of the world’s history. He saw thousands upon thousands perishing in the use of wine and strong drink. The world would gradually come into the same state as it was in the days before the flood. But heaven has lifted a danger signal, that men may take warning, and cooperate with God for their own self-preservation. He has given us examples of absolute abstinence, and provided instruction that, if followed, will result in the creation and preservation of the vigor, skill, and excellency of our children.”—The Signs of the Times, April 16, 1896.
b. Describe the refreshing type of attitude that Christ exemplified throughout His ministry. Matthew 11:29.
“Jesus began the work of reformation by coming into close sympathy with humanity. While He showed the greatest reverence for the law of God, He rebuked the pretentious piety of the Pharisees, and tried to free the people from the senseless rules that bound them. He was seeking to break down the barriers which separated the different classes of society, that He might bring men together as children of one family. His attendance at the marriage feast was designed to be a step toward effecting this.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 150.
“Jesus reproved self-indulgence in all its forms, yet He was social in His nature. He accepted the hospitality of all classes, visiting the homes of the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, and seeking to elevate their thoughts from questions of commonplace life to those things that are spiritual and eternal. He gave no license to dissipation, and no shadow of worldly levity marred His conduct; yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness, and by His presence sanctioned the social gathering. A Jewish marriage was an impressive occasion, and its joy was not displeasing to the Son of man. By attending this feast, Jesus honored marriage as a divine institution.”— Ibid., pp. 150, 151.
Thu,
Jan 16
5. HEALTHY SOCIAL INTERACTION
a. What should we learn from the example of Christ that distinguished Him in contrast to the religious rulers of His day? Proverbs 18:24.
“The ministry of Christ was in marked contrast to that of the Jewish elders. Their regard for tradition and formalism had destroyed all real freedom of thought or action. They lived in continual dread of defilement. To avoid contact with the ‘unclean,’ they kept aloof, not only from the Gentiles, but from the majority of their own people, seeking neither to benefit them nor to win their friendship. By dwelling constantly on these matters, they had dwarfed their minds and narrowed the orbit of their lives. Their example encouraged egotism and intolerance among all classes of the people.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 150.
b. What should be our aim in all social interactions? Proverbs 11:30.
“We can manifest a thousand little attentions in friendly words and pleasant looks, which will be reflected upon us again. Thoughtless Christians manifest by their neglect of others that they are not in union with Christ. It is impossible to be in union with Christ and yet be unkind to others and forgetful of their rights.
“We should all become witnesses for Jesus. Social power, sanctified by the grace of Christ, must be improved in winning souls to the Saviour. Let the world see that we are not selfishly absorbed in our own interests, but that we desire others to share our blessings and privileges. Let them see that our religion does not make us unsympathetic or exacting. Let all who profess to have found Christ minister as He did for the benefit of men. We should never give to the world the false impression that Christians are a gloomy, unhappy people.”—The Adventist Home, p. 428.
Fri,
Jan 17
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe the spiritual fruits borne by the miracle of Christ in Cana.
2. Describe the relationship between Christ and His mother.
3. Why did the governor of the feast show surprise?
4. What kind of wine appropriately symbolizes the blood of Christ?
5. At social gatherings, what should we recall from the example of Jesus?