Page 21 - A Call to Stand Apart (2002)

Jesus’ Ministry Begins with a Party 17
wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but
you have kept the good wine until now.” John 2:10.22
The “wine” of the partying that you and I do ultimately turns
sour. But the gifts of Jesus are always fresh. What He provides for us
always satisfies and brings us happiness. Each new gift we receive
increases our capacity to receive more and enjoy more from Him.
He gives grace and still more grace and, unlike the wine at Cana, His
supply of blessings never runs short and is never exhausted. Actually,
the gift of Jesus to the marriage party is a wonderful symbol. The
water in the jars represents His “baptism into death,” and the wine
represents His blood spilled for us to cleanse us from sin. At this first
feast with His disciples, Jesus gave them a cup of wine to symbolize
His work for their salvation. And at the Last Supper He gave it to
them again and invited them to drink it in this symbolic way until
He returns.23 [22]