Understanding Divine Timing and Christ's Mission

 

Summary

In the midst of a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, the story of the marriage feast at Cana offers profound insights into our relationship with God and the nature of Christ's mission. This incident, where Jesus turns water into wine, is not just a miraculous event but a lesson in understanding the divine timing and purpose of God. As we gather in times of crisis, many look to the church and to God, questioning why He does not intervene in the ways we expect. This narrative challenges us to reconsider our approach to God, urging us to recognize His sovereignty and divine plan.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, presents a common human error: presuming upon our relationship with God and expecting Him to act according to our desires and timing. Her initial approach to Jesus, expecting Him to solve the problem of the wine shortage, mirrors our own demands on God in times of crisis. Jesus' response to Mary, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come," is a gentle yet firm reminder of His divine mission and timing. It underscores the necessity of recognizing Jesus not just as a historical figure or a miracle worker, but as the Son of God with a specific purpose.

This incident teaches us that God's plans are not subject to human demands. Jesus came into the world with a mission to reconcile humanity to God, a mission that culminates in His death and resurrection. This is the "hour" He refers to, the pivotal moment in history that addresses the root of human suffering—sin. The world’s troubles, including war and strife, are symptoms of a deeper spiritual ailment that only Christ's sacrifice can heal.

As believers, we are called to approach God with humility, acknowledging His divine authority and timing. We must repent, believe in the Gospel, and trust in His ultimate plan for redemption and peace. The promise of Christ's return assures us that while His hour has not yet come, it will come, bringing with it the fulfillment of God's kingdom—a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Timing and Purpose: Jesus' response to Mary at the wedding feast highlights the importance of divine timing. God's plans are not dictated by human urgency but by His perfect will and purpose. Understanding this helps us trust in His timing, even when it seems delayed. [19:43]

- Approaching God with Humility: The narrative teaches us to approach God not with demands but with humility and reverence. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and our Savior is crucial to experiencing His blessings and understanding His mission. [25:38]

- The Root of Human Suffering: Jesus' mission addresses the root cause of human suffering—sin. His coming into the world was not to meet every immediate need but to offer a solution to the deeper problem of sin, which is the source of all strife and turmoil. [41:01]

- The Promise of Christ's Return: While the world remains in turmoil, the promise of Christ's return assures us of a future where peace and righteousness will reign. This hope encourages us to live in anticipation of His coming kingdom. [44:46]

- Call to Repentance and Faith: The call to repentance and faith is central to experiencing the benefits of Christ's mission. By acknowledging our sin and believing in the Gospel, we align ourselves with God's redemptive plan and prepare for His coming kingdom. [48:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Marriage Feast at Cana
- [01:08] - The World in Crisis
- [03:07] - Turning to God in Times of Trouble
- [05:21] - The Question of God's Intervention
- [07:06] - The Situation at the Wedding
- [09:53] - The Problem of the Wine Shortage
- [11:10] - Mary's Mistake
- [13:06] - Mary's Expectation of Jesus
- [16:03] - The Error of Presumption
- [19:12] - Jesus' Response to Mary
- [22:13] - Understanding Jesus' Divine Nature
- [25:38] - The Modern World's Misunderstanding
- [31:58] - The Significance of "Mine Hour"
- [41:01] - The Purpose of Christ's Mission
- [44:46] - The Promise of Christ's Return
- [48:11] - Call to Repentance and Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Marriage Feast at Cana

Bible Reading:
- John 2:1-5

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the initial problem at the wedding feast in Cana, and how did Mary respond to it? ([00:30])

2. How did Jesus address Mary when she informed Him about the wine shortage, and what was His response? ([00:46])

3. What does Jesus' statement, "Mine hour is not yet come," suggest about His mission and timing? ([19:43])

4. How does the sermon describe the world's reaction to crises and their expectations of God and the church? ([04:40])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Jesus' response to Mary reveal about His understanding of His mission and divine timing? How does this contrast with human expectations? ([19:43])

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Mary's approach to Jesus reflects common human attitudes towards God during times of crisis? ([11:10])

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' "hour" and its relation to His mission on earth? ([31:58])

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of recognizing Jesus' divine nature and authority in our relationship with Him? ([25:38])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you expected God to act according to your timing. How did you respond when His timing was different? How can you cultivate trust in His divine timing? ([19:43])

2. The sermon emphasizes approaching God with humility. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate humility in your prayer life and relationship with God? ([25:38])

3. Consider the root causes of personal or societal issues you face. How can you address these deeper spiritual problems rather than just the symptoms? ([41:01])

4. The promise of Christ's return is a source of hope. How can you live in anticipation of His coming kingdom in your daily life? ([44:46])

5. The sermon calls for repentance and faith. What steps can you take to align your life with God's redemptive plan and prepare for His coming kingdom? ([48:11])

6. How can you encourage others to see Jesus not just as a historical figure or miracle worker, but as the Son of God with a specific purpose? ([22:13])

7. In what ways can you support your church community in times of crisis, reflecting the lessons learned from the marriage feast at Cana? ([03:07])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in Divine Timing
In the story of the marriage feast at Cana, Jesus' response to Mary highlights the importance of divine timing. When Mary approached Jesus about the wine shortage, His reply, "Mine hour is not yet come," serves as a reminder that God's plans are not dictated by human urgency but by His perfect will and purpose. This teaches us to trust in God's timing, even when it seems delayed. In our lives, we often want immediate solutions to our problems, but this narrative encourages us to have faith in God's overarching plan, knowing that His timing is always perfect. [19:43]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you actively practice patience and faith in His perfect plan today?


Day 2: Approaching God with Humility
The narrative of the wedding at Cana teaches us to approach God not with demands but with humility and reverence. Mary’s initial expectation of Jesus to solve the wine shortage mirrors our own demands on God in times of crisis. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and our Savior is crucial to experiencing His blessings and understanding His mission. This story invites us to come before God with a humble heart, acknowledging His divine authority and seeking His will above our own desires. [25:38]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.'" (Isaiah 66:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you approach God with more humility in your daily prayers and actions? How might this change your relationship with Him?


Day 3: Addressing the Root of Human Suffering
Jesus' mission addresses the root cause of human suffering—sin. His coming into the world was not to meet every immediate need but to offer a solution to the deeper problem of sin, which is the source of all strife and turmoil. The miracle at Cana is a sign pointing to the greater work of Christ in reconciling humanity to God. This understanding shifts our focus from temporary solutions to eternal redemption, reminding us that true peace and healing come through Christ's sacrifice. [41:01]

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking temporary solutions instead of addressing the deeper issue of sin? How can you invite Jesus into this area for true healing?


Day 4: Living in Hope of Christ's Return
While the world remains in turmoil, the promise of Christ's return assures us of a future where peace and righteousness will reign. This hope encourages us to live in anticipation of His coming kingdom, where God's perfect justice and love will be fully realized. The story of Cana reminds us that while His hour has not yet come, it will come, bringing with it the fulfillment of God's kingdom—a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells. [44:46]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence the way you live your life today? What changes can you make to live more fully in anticipation of His coming kingdom?


Day 5: The Call to Repentance and Faith
The call to repentance and faith is central to experiencing the benefits of Christ's mission. By acknowledging our sin and believing in the Gospel, we align ourselves with God's redemptive plan and prepare for His coming kingdom. The miracle at Cana is a reminder of the transformative power of Jesus, who turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. As believers, we are invited to repent, believe, and trust in His ultimate plan for redemption and peace. [48:11]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific sin you need to repent of today? How can you take a step of faith to align yourself more closely with God's redemptive plan?

Quotes


In this house of God at a time of very great and very grave crisis the news in a sense cannot be very much worse than it is while we are meeting here quietly there are thousands perhaps even more of people whose all countries in a state of turmoil there are terrible things happening there are men and women being killed at this very moment probably and the whole future seems to be shrouded in uncertainty. [00:01:42]

Every time of Crisis and of trouble in the world causes a number of people to look in the direction of the Christian church when everything else has failed people remember God there were many stories about that whether or not during the war many men were honest enough to confess and to admit that though they hadn't prayed since they were children when their boat was torpedo during the war and they'd spent a number of days in a little boat or on a raft and everything seemed to be lost they be and to pray to God. [00:03:25]

There are many who always ask that kind of question why does God allow War why does God allow these things to happen now I'm not concerned tonight to deal with those statements in detail and to show their inconsistencies with themselves and even on their own suppositions I'm rather concerned to look at the whole thing in a more General manner as it is dealt with in this particular incident. [00:05:15]

Mary becomes aware of that whether it was that she was in general superintendence because she was a relative I don't know but somehow or another they told her now then you see where the parallel comes in there they are in this marriage Feast suddenly confronted by a problem here are you and I in life confronted by the tremendous problem that is facing ing us this evening now then what's the next step what's going to happen. [00:10:30]

She obviously is in a certain amount of confusion in her mind she looks at him and she looks at him as her son Jesus the one who was born of her she seems to say to herself he is Jesus my son and yet at the same time it's perfectly clear isn't it that she obviously is expecting something unusual from him because she turns to him and by her very statement to him she is making the suggestion that she believes that he has it in him he has the power and the ability and the capacity to solve the problem. [00:11:37]

The first error she falls into is that that she presumes on the fact that he is her son he's Jesus he is the child that was born of her womb he's the one who was once a little babe that she funded in her arms and whom she fed he's the little boy that she'd clothed and taught he's the young man Jesus her own child she presumes upon it and she presumes upon it as I say to the extent even of triing him and of speaking almost harshly to him. [00:16:00]

He is saying to her Mary in effect you've got to look at me and approach me from this moment in a new and in a in an entirely different manner I've been obedient to you I've always done everything you told me to do I've been a beautiful son you've said Jesus do this and I've always ran to do it and I've never failed you nor disobeyed you the end of that has come I am now entered into the office I've been anointed as the Messiah of God. [00:24:47]

While that is your approach to God and to Christ you will will never get a reply never that approach is absolutely fatal as long as you are in the position of thinking that you can come to God and present your orders and say now the world is in trouble why don't you God will not hear you as long as you think Christianity will give you benefits but you come to it demanding and standing upon your dignity and standing as an equal and ordering practically and insisting and commanding nothing will happen nothing whatsoever. [00:25:51]

He hasn't come from Heaven into this world at our request he came though no man had asked him to come he's come in spite of it he has not come simply to do what we want God and the Lord Jesus Christ Are Not Mere agencies to which we can apply when we want help and then forget them no no he has a plan and a purpose as I'm going to show you he's come because he's sent he's the Lord and until you and I and all others realize that he's to be approached in one way and one way only I say we shall never know his bettering. [00:27:11]

He has come into this world to carry out a specific program you read through this Gospel According to St John and you'll find that he goes on saying it everywhere he says I came not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me the works that I do I do not of myself the words that I speak I speak not of myself those are his words whatsoever the father has shown me that I do the words that I speak have been given to me I speak the words that my father has spoken first my father worketh hi to and I work he's always saying it. [00:32:10]

He has come to Bear the sins of men he has come to die he came into the world to taste death for every man that is why he said in that prayer that he wasn't going to ask God to deliver him out of that hour he said he could command 12 Legions of angels and Escape it but how then he says should all righteousness be fulfilled no no this is the program this is God's plan not this or that or the other he's come to do this why well because this is the only way whereby any one of us can ever be reconciled to God and have our sins forgiven. [00:40:03]

Repent recognize that the world is as it is because it's turned its back upon God recognize that you are what you are because you've done the same get down acknowledge your sin confess your iniquity don't defend yourself because you know there's no defense expose your heart to him let him search you go to him repent and believe the gospel believe that though we have so sinned in the whole world in our Folly and in our shame that he nevertheless came into the world in order to rescue us and to deliver us out of it. [00:47:36]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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