LHM Daily Devotions March 2, 2020 - SIGNS

"SIGNS"

Mar. 2, 2020

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee ... When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." ... Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." ... When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, (he said) "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.

— John 2:1a, 3, 7a, 9a, 10b, 11 (ESV)

When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, He gave him the ability to do three signs so people would know God had sent him. Moses' stick could turn into a snake; his hand could turn leprous, and he could turn water into blood.

I don't know about you, but I am infinitely grateful that Jesus' first sign was a happy one!

I suppose it makes sense if you think about it. Moses was coming to speak to a king who refused to let his slaves go, in spite of plague after plague, disaster after disaster. It makes sense that the opening "signs" Moses gave would be ominous, scary, threatening. They were a foretaste of the things to come.

Jesus' first sign is also a foretaste of the things to come—both for Him and for us. The wine He made for this village wedding foreshadows the wine of the heavenly banquet in the kingdom of God. It is a sign of celebration to come.

But it is more than that. We can hardly avoid being reminded of the Communion wine—of Jesus' blood, shed for us on the cross. And so this sign reminds us of the price Jesus paid to free us from death and evil—and of the joy we have with Him as we share His resurrected, eternal life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please bring many more people to celebrate with You at the heavenly banquet. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you like parties? Why or why not?
2. Have you ever had to deal with a crisis at a celebration or party you planned?
3. If God had told you to choose Jesus' first miracle, what would it have been, and why?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you like parties? Why or why not?