First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, June 12, 2022) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “The Best is Yet to Come!” John 2:1-11 As we study the New Testament narrative of the life of Jesus, we come across a number of places that Jesus visited during His earthly life; places like Cana of Galilee, Nazareth, Capernaum, Bethany, Bethesda, Mount of Olives, Jericho, Samaria, Caesarea Philippi and many more places. In those places, Jesus performed miracles, restored, hope, gave peace, brought wholeness, and showed God’s mercy and grace like no other Rabbi. During this summer, I will be preaching on some of those key places that Jesus visited, reflect on the events took place there, and draw some lessons we can learn from them for our walk with the Lord today. In doing so, I hope we will get a fresh glimpse of the awesomeness and greatness of our God. This morning we start this summer sermon series by looking at Jesus at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. John tells us that the miracle of changing water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee is the first of many “signs” that Jesus did! As you may know, John’s gospel never used the word “miracle” in describing the miraculous acts of God through Jesus of Nazareth. Rather, he always uses “signs”. The thing about a “sign” is that it always points to something beyond itself. When Jesus does a miracle, there’s something more going on than just a power display. They point us to what Christ was going to bring about. John was intentional about picking some of those signs, some of those miracles that Jesus did and what they mean for us today. The story of the wedding at Cana is more than providing us with a glimpse of the marriage customs of the first century Israel/Palestine. Rather, I truly believe the story makes at least two profound statements: First: We All Need Jesus The first lesson we can draw from this sign is that we all need Jesus. Often times, people today think that they need Jesus when life gets tough; when there is grief, loss, loneliness, sickness, or uncertainty. The sign of the wedding at Cana reminds us that we need Jesus always. In our best we need Jesus! The “sign” took place in a wedding setting! We all know how long it takes to plan for a wedding. We spend hours and hours planning hoping that everything will be just right! In the same manner we plan for weddings, we also plan for our future. Yet, no matter how smart and precise and thorough we are, surprises come all the time. The bridegroom and his family never expected that they would run out of wine. This is one of the most embarrassing situations anyone could ever face especially on a wedding day. Where do we go when our supplies run dry? Where do we go when no energy whatsoever is left in us? What do we do when we feel that all doors are closed around us? What do we do when we feel the weight of our circumstances? Do we give up? Do we quit? Absolutely not. John would tell us to seek Jesus and ask for help. He got your back. Second: Jesus Offers us the Best Not only that Jesus gives us what we need, but He gives us the best. After performing this sign, in John 2:8-10, Jesus said to them: “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” What John is saying here is a simple yet a profound truth: the best is yet to come. When we’re younger, we look ahead, wanting to grow up because we believe the best days of our life are in front of us. But once we’ve grown older, we yearn for the past, wanting to be young again. But when we walk with God, whatever our age, the best is yet to come! Often times, Scriptures provide much assurance regarding that. Writing to the believers in Corinth who were so fascinated by the culture and civilization around them, Paul wrote, the Lord got something better for us. In 2 Corinthians 2:9-10, he says, “As it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him — these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” We haven’t seen all that God has in store for us; the best indeed is yet to come… Even though we may be facing hardships or trying time in our life, we can take pleasure in knowing that one day in this life or the life to come with our Lord in heaven, we will get to know the best was yet to come. Friends, in Cana of Galilee, we get to remember that we need Christ. In our best we need Jesus. When everything seems to be just fine, it’s great to have Jesus on board. In Cana of Galilee, we also get to remember that when we ask Jesus to intervene, He gives us the best. Cana represents both humanity’s greatest need and God’s generosity and abundance. So, if and when you find yourself in Cana, remember not to throw away your confidence, because it will be richly rewarded. Friends, Christ continues to change water into wine. He continues to transform ordinary people to extraordinary followers. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit! Amen!
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