From Heaven With Love

Mary's Faith Is Rewarded

Though Mary had not a right concept of Christ's mission, she trusted Him implicitly. To this faith He responded. To honor her trust and to strengthen the faith of His disciples, the first miracle was performed. To the disciples the prophecies had made it clear beyond all controversy that Jesus was the Messiah, but they were bitterly disappointed by the unbelief, deep-seated prejudice, and enmity to Jesus displayed by the priests and rabbis. The Saviour's early miracles strengthened the disciples to stand against opposition. HLv 92.2

Mary said to those serving at table, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” HLv 92.3

Beside the doorway stood six large stone water jars. Jesus told the servants to fill these with water. Then He said, “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.” Instead of water there flowed forth wine. HLv 92.4

Upon tasting that which the servants brought, the ruler of the feast found it superior to any he had ever before drunk. Turning to the bridegroom, he said, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” RSV. HLv 92.5

The gifts the world offers may please the eye and fascinate the senses, but they prove unsatisfying. The “wine” turns to bitterness, the gaiety to gloom. That which was begun with songs and mirth ends in weariness and disgust. But the gifts of Jesus are ever fresh and new. The feast that He provides never fails to give satisfaction and joy. There can be no failure of supply. If you abide in Him, a rich gift today ensures the reception of a richer gift tomorrow. HLv 92.6

The gift of Christ to the marriage feast was a symbol. The water to fill the jars was brought by human hands, but the word of Christ alone could impart to it life-giving virtue. The word of Christ supplied ample provision for the feast. So abundant is His grace to blot out iniquity and to renew and sustain the soul. The wine Christ provided for the feast, and which He gave the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape. To this Isaiah refers when he speaks of the new wine “in the cluster,” and says, “Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it.” Isaiah 65:8. HLv 93.1

Christ in the Old Testament gave the warning, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1. He Himself provided no such beverage. Satan tempts men to indulgence that will becloud reason and benumb the spiritual perceptions, but Christ teaches us to bring the lower nature into subjection. It was Christ who directed that John the Baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink. He enjoined similar abstinence on the wife of Manoah. And He pronounced a curse on the man who should put the bottle to his neighbor's lips. See Habakkuk 2:15. Christ did not contradict His own teaching. The unfermented wine which He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink. HLv 93.2

As the guests remarked upon the wine, inquiries were made that drew from the servants an account of the miracle. When at length the company looked for Jesus, He had withdrawn quietly. HLv 93.3

Attention now turned to the disciples, who had opportunity to acknowledge their faith in Jesus. They told what they had seen and heard at the Jordan. News of the miracle spread and was carried to Jerusalem. With new interest the priests and elders searched the prophecies pointing to Christ's coming. HLv 93.4