Miracles and Gifts

 Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5  • Psalm 36:5-10  •  1 Corinthians 12:1-11  •  John 2:1-11

John says that Jesus did "many miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples." He also says that he doesn't include most of them in his gospel. The first "sign" was at a wedding at Cana in Galilee, about nine miles northwest of Jesus's hometown of Nazareth. To the embarrassment of the host, the wedding wine ran dry. With his mother Mary and his disciples present, Jesus filled six stone pots used by Jews for ritual washings with water (they had been empty), and then turned the water into wine. On this second Sunday of Epiphany, why do you suppose that we study Jesus performing his first miracle at Cana? See Dan Clendenin's "Turning Water Into Wine: God's Excess and Extravagance."

Jesus' miracles were performed and meant to have those who hear him, then and now to exercise faith in him. His signs, wonders, works and healings forced a decision one way or another: "Believe the miracles, that you may learn and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father… Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves." 

 With the first of his "many miraculous signs," Jesus revealed the character of an extravagantly generous God.

Paul gives a lesson, with love, to Corinthians (and us), who thought their gifts were better than others and claiming rank and privilege. A lesson we need to take to heart today. Read Debie Thomas' "Many Gifts, One Spirit."