Dear Supporters, Prayer Partners and Friends

What does the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) have to do with Christmas? The miracle where Jesus turned water into wine was Jesus’ first sign which showed his glory so his disciples believed in him. So what did the disciples see? They saw Jesus turn 500+ litres of water into good wine. They saw him do this unannounced, and quietly, without ceremony or effort and they saw the guests enjoying the results without knowing where it came from. They saw the MC congratulating the groom who apparently took credit for it. And perhaps we can speculate that if most of the wine was left over then they saw the new couple getting a financial bonanza.

What does this teach us about who Jesus is and how does it show his glory? In John ch 1, Jesus is called the Word because he makes the invisible God known to us. He is also described as eternal and co-creator with his Father. Also mysteriously he is called the Life and Light who enlightens every person who comes into the world. And yet the world did not know him. I believe Jesus is being described here as the giver of all God’s good gifts to all mankind (what is sometimes called common grace) and this is made clear by the sign in Cana. Thus, every good thing anyone has ever received from the time of Adam to the present day has been a gift from the Son of God: all the happy family times, the marriages, the joyful children, the good food, the beauty of the world, the comforts we enjoy, safety, peace, health, the light of conscience, the good aspects of human society, etc come to all men, unannounced and unrecognised from the Light and Life of Men.

Further, those who believe in him receive the greatest gift of all, namely the right and privilege to be children of God (v12) with all the blessings that right procures (the best is served last!).

Now if the gifts of the Son of God are so great how much better is the Giver who is now incarnate? John and other disciples saw his glory in all Jesus did, his power and grace (v14). And believers receive this grace today. “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” v16. Jesus is as full of grace as those stone water pots were full of wine. We hope you can also see his glory afresh and say ‘wow’, then your Christmas will be really happy while you also enjoy his good gifts.

 Thank you for walking with us this year. 

love in our gracious Lord, from Rod and Glenda