ODJ: miraculous joy
This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him (v.11).
READ: John 2:1-11
Something strange happened last fall in the village of Milano, Italy. Residents turned on their home water taps and white wine flowed out! No, this was not a modern-day miracle—merely a mix-up.
A local worker accidentally connected a line flowing with the fermented grape juice to a water main, instead of to a public fountain in the town square. You see, each year Milano celebrates a festival that includes having vino gush forth from the fountain—allowing the cheerful citizens to fill their glasses. This year, they simply turned on the tap to taste a local vineyard’s finest.
It’s interesting that Jesus did turn water into wine at another joyous celebration—a wedding (John 2:1). He brought a blessing to the master of the wedding banquet, the bridegroom, and—ultimately—all of the wedding party and guests (v.9).
Jesus’ miracle brought unexpected joy to the people, even as it revealed His glory for the “first time” (v.11). His instant wine recipe had the necessary ingredients for filling the disciples with “first” faith. For after He performed this supernatural act, the “disciples believed in Him” (v.11). John wrote later that all of Jesus’ miraculous signs, including turning water into wine, were done so that we would “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name” (20:31).
For 2,000 years, Jesus has been filling people with faith, eternal life, and joy—not converting water into wine, but sinners into believers (Ephesians 1:18-19). Unlike the bitter water of the legalist or sour drink of the doubter, Jesus’ “new wine” flows into hearts and makes them bubble over. By faith, you can “trust Him; and . . . rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Celebrate the miracle of your changed heart by drinking deep of His joy today. —Tom Felten
What has robbed you of joy lately? As you think of the miracle of your changed heart in Jesus, how does that bring you joy?
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Loading ...ODB: the importance of theology
August 26, 2009
READ: 1 Kings 11:4-13
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. —2 Corinthians 6:14
When looking for a new car, potential buyers look at more than the exterior styling. They check out the inner workings that make it run smoothly and efficiently.
When choosing a spouse, however, some are not so careful. They discover too late that a beautiful body is camouflaging a defective mind and soul. Men and women both make this mistake, but author Carolyn Custis James was specifically concerned about men when she wrote: “[A] woman’s interest in theology ought to be the first thing to catch a man’s eye. . . . [Her] theology suddenly matters when a man is facing a crisis and she is the only one around to offer encouragement.”
Solomon should have known this. He was, after all, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 3:12; 4:29-34). But Solomon followed his own desires rather than God’s command and married women whose allegiance was not to God (11:1-2). The results were disastrous. Solomon’s wives turned his heart toward other gods (vv.3-4), and God became angry with him (v.9). The kingdom of Israel was eventually divided and defeated (vv.11-13).
Good theology is important for everyone. And it is difficult to make good decisions if our allegiance is to someone who does not know and love God. — Julie Ackerman Link
Faulty beliefs about God lead to faulty decisions about people.
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