Water into wine John 2:1-12

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One of the miracles Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee was water turned into wine. I often think about this incident mentioned in the Bible.(John 2:1 -12) One thing I noticed in that passage was Jesus and his disciples has also been invited for the wedding. I think that was the wisest thing the bridegroom ever done in his life.

Listen, when the wine was gone, there was Jesus to help him. Jesus saved him from a humiliating situation. If Jesus had not been invited for the wedding, He would have been preaching somewhere else, may be in Jerusalem or Samaria or some other place in Palestine. In such case, it would have been very difficult for the bridegroom to find Jesus in his hour of need. Situation could have been turned into an ugly incident.

I am so glad that the bridegroom had invited Jesus well in advance. There was presence of Jesus in the wedding. That is what we lack in our life. We often forget to invite Jesus in our functions. We forget to invite Jesus into our life. When we run out of wine, we started to look for Jesus. But it would be too late to find Jesus. Jesus would be busy in somewhere else.

Before you start your business, invite Jesus into your business, then Jesus would be there in your hour of need. Jesus would be present in you business. He will take care of every need of your business. Invite Jesus before you start your functions. That is the best way to make sure that everything goes well with you till the end.

We start without Jesus and when the need comes, we started to pry. Jesus come and help me! Jesus Come and help me! But You won't find him at the hour of your need.

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That is why we need to start everything with Jesus. Start your day with Jesus. First you invite Jesus in to your business. Invite Jesus into your day. As the day progress, you will need Him to save you from embarrassing situations. In the time of trouble, He will be there to save you. Then your journey would be pleasant and happy. So invite Jesus in your studies. Invite Jesus in your family life. Invite Jesus into your social and personal life. Invite Jesus wherever you go.

But you need to keep in your mind one thing. Jesus is a holy and just God. He cannot accompany you when you go to unwanted, ugly places. He cannot tolerate your evil deeds. He is a just and Holy God. Holy spirit will guide you as long as you lead a holy life. The moment you turn from the path, He will leave you. Holy God needs a holy man to live with. 1 Peter 1:14-16 says "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” God is looking for that holiness in you. When you turn to filthy things, when you entertain evil thoughts and evil deeds, he cannot tolerate with you. To lead a better life with God, you need to mend your ways.

Often we think we can go on with our business without God. You may be boasting about the money you have. You may be trusting in your health or wealth for continuing your business. Your money will not be useful when you run out of wine. You have money, but the need of the hour is wine. Your money will not turned into wine instantly.

When you run out of wine, you have to stop serving wine and go out to buy wine. You may or may not get wine with your money. The wine shop many not be open when you need wine. Then what will you do with your money? Money or health or wealth in which you trust will not save you in the hour of your need.

As a human being we may fell ill at any moment. In such moments, our money cannot save us. Only God can make a turnaround in such situations. Our dear and near ones will not be able to help us in the deepest darkness of our life. Only Jesus can help you and turn the situation to your favor.

You may have medical insurance. You may have good vehicles. You may have good contacts with able doctors. But all these things would not work well in the hour of your need if Jesus is not near you.

That is where the importance of inviting Jesus into your life well in advance. If Jesus is with you, you don't have to worry about anything. He is there to take care of everything. He will do the needful to rescue you. He will save you from embarrassing moments.

The second thing I noticed in that parable is that, Jesus performed a miracle when it was needed the most. It was not like that Jesus came to the wedding and there was no need of anything. Still he performed a miracle!. No, It is not like that. When there was a need comes up, Jesus come into action. Performed the miracle. Inviting Jesus does not mean that He will perform miracles instantly on his arrival. You may be inviting Jesus into your life but not seeing any miracles instantly. When the time comes, Jesus will perform miracles. He is waiting for an opportunity to perform miracles in your life.

When things go out of control, he will perform. When your might or strength goes out, he will perform. When your money or position in which you trust will not be in a position to help you, when you are helpless and badly in need of His help, turn to Him. He will not turn his face against you. He will be there to help you.

What is idolatry?

An Idol could be a physical one as well as a mental one.  Mentally we create images or things which we love more than our God.  Catholic as well as some protestant Churches use images of saints and angels as well as Apostles in their church and many tempt to pray to such images.  As per the ten commandment give to Moses: The first command (some view it as the second command) it says " I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."

Again it says: "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments."

For Church, the urgent need of the hour is to remove all the Idol's from its buildings and clean them from all Idol's, just like Jesus did at His time on earth.

I don't know how the pop and other priests in the catholic churches preach the Ten commandments and at the same time keep many idols in their churches. 

Either they should remove all the idols from the church or preach the first and second commandments are wrong.  By their actions they are silently preaching that the commandments God given to Moses are wrong by making and keeping idols in the church.  They proclaim that they are the representatives of God yet they deny the commandments of God.  Very strange???

Either they are least concerned about the commandments of God or they are ignorant of the truth.  This is the time to know the truth, so that the truth will set you free.

Bible clearly tell us what is an idol all about.  In Psalms 115: 4-8 "But their idols are silver and gold,  made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them."

It is true with Christianity an with all other religions.  We are trying to make God!!!  We are trying to create the creator!  What a strange thing to do!!!  No one has ever seen God.  Then how can a man make God.  Worshiping men in the place of God is also wrong.  Good peoples and saints lead a good life.  They are an example for us to follow.  But not to be worshiped as God. 

People worship sun, moon and stars.  That too are done out of ignorant.  Because it was said that "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."

Again Bible says that Isiah 40:18-23  With whom, then, will you compare God?   To what image will you liken him?  As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,   and a goldsmith overlays it with gold  and fashions silver chains for it.  A person too poor to present such an offering   selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.  Do you not know?  Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?  Have you not understood since the earth was founded?  He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught  and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing."


Again Bible condemn the logic and foolishness of making an idol.  Isiah 44: 8-23 says "Is there any God besides me?  No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind;  they are ignorant, to their own shame.  Who shapes a god and casts an idol,  which can profit nothing?  People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame.

The blacksmith takes a tool  and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength;  he drinks no water and grows faint.  The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form,   human form in all its glory,  that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself,  he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.  Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says,   “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”  From the rest he makes a god, his idol;  he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says,   “Save me! You are my god!”

They know nothing, they understand nothing;  their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,  and their minds closed so they cannot understand.  No one stops to think,  no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals,   I roasted meat and I ate.  Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?  Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”  Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;  he cannot save himself, or say,  “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” 

“Remember these things, Jacob,   for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant;    Israel, I will not forget you.  I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,   your sins like the morning mist. Return to me,  for I have redeemed you.”   Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this;   shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you  mountains,  you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,   he displays his glory in Israel.


Again Prophet Isaiah says: "All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; they will go off into disgrace together." “Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save."  "their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary."

The act of church is written in the bible:  "Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols."

There is warning against those who worship idols and they will be punished by God.  "I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin, because they have defiled my land with the lifeless forms of their vile images and have filled my inheritance with their detestable idols.”

Idolatry or Idol worship

Idolatry or idol worship is still prevalent even in this modern age.  Idolatry means people worshiping images created by men in the form of man or birds or animals.  Some worship the tools they work with.  Every day in the morning people silently pray to the tools they use in their work.  I often found people worship the machines they operate.  They do it for a good day of work without much interruption.    Have you ever thought of the foolishness in such worship.

Machines or tools or images created in the form of man or women or animals will not save us.  They are material things which does not have ear or eyes to listen.  They do not have power to grand our wishes.  Then why people worship such images.

There is a deep routed belief in the worship of image in the mind of human beings.  Even though they do not have any power to perform any miracles, people offer fruits, milk, honey, flowers and worship such images.  They cannot eat.  They cannot smell the fragrance of the flowers.  They are metal or wood which does not has mouth to eat or nose to smell just like me and you have.  Then what is the point in offering such things to idols

In the bible where God given Ten commandments to Moses God specially instructed that they should not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  Then God Continued saying "You shall not bow down to them or worship them."

It's a clear and specific instruction to the children of God.  No images means no images.  Whether it is animal or saints or mighty men of God, you should not make an image of it and worship it.

The foolishness of idol worship is clearly mentioned in the bible.  If you read the book of Isiah Chapter 44 you'll understand what is a idol all about.

The blacksmith takes a tool  and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength;  he drinks no water and grows faint. 

The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form,   human form in all its glory,  that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself,  he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.  Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says,   “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”  From the rest he makes a god, his idol;  he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says,   “Save me! You are my god!”

True value of money

True value of money

JUST DO IT!

Ever heard someone say: "Just Do It"?

It sounds like a great idea.

Hard to argue with - seems positive, empowering - yeah!

JUST DO IT!

But - has "Just Do it" worked for you?

Well?

Have you ever tried to:

Just... stop procrastinating

Just... be confident

Just... quit your job and follow your bliss

Just... attract a passionate romance

Just... make more money

Just... quit smoking

Just... eat healthier

Just... exercise more

Just... stop worrying...be happy...let go of the
past...stop being depressed...

Think for a moment - what would make YOU happier,
richer, healthier?

Are you doing it?

If not - why not?

How come when we try to "just do it" it in some 
areas of our life - it seems so stinking hard?

How many New Years resolutions have to suffer a 
quick, anonymous death...

How many diets need to fail... How many goals have 
to be set and not come true...

How many dreams have to DIE unrealized...

Until the struggle ENDS and the joy and abundance 
and passion for life begins?

What does it TAKE for "Just do it" to become...

"I DID IT!"

About Melchizedek king of Salem

About Melchizedek king of Salem
 
1. Genesis 14:17-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).   Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,  and he blessed Abram, saying,    “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,   Creator of heaven and earth.  And praise be to God Most High,  who delivered your enemies into your hand.”  Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.


   2. Psalm 110:3-5  Your troops will be willing   on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor,    your young men will come to you    like dew from the morning’s womb.   The LORD has sworn    and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever,    in the order of Melchizedek.”   The Lord is at your right hand;    he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.   The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

   3. Hebrews 5:5-10 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,    “You are my Son;    today I have become your Father.”   And he says in another place,   “You are a priest forever,  in the order of Melchizedek.”   During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered  and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him  and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
 
   4. Hebrews 6:13 - 20   When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,  saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”  And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.   People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.  Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,  where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.


   5. Hebrews 7:1-28  This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,  and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”  Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!  Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.  This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.  And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater.  In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.  One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,  because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?  For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.  He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.  For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.  And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,  one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.  For it is declared:

   “You are a priest forever,
   in the order of Melchizedek.”

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless  (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.   And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,  but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

   “The Lord has sworn
   and will not change his mind:
   ‘You are a priest forever.’”

Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;  but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.  Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Words of wisdom

What a person desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.


The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
how much more do their friends avoid them!


Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.


Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.


Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.


Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!


A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the LORD.



A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will not go free.


Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.


The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.


A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will perish.


It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!


A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.


A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.


A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.


Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.


Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless go hungry.


Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.


Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward them for what they have done.


Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to their death.

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
rescue them, and you will have to do it again.


Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.


Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.


The fear of the LORD leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.


A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!


Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.


Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother
is a child who brings shame and disgrace.


Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.


A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.


Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.