“On the third day
there was a wedding…”
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The third day is
the Day of Eternity, on which the dead are raised for the marriage feast that
has no end. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the
Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9) The third day at Cana in Galilee points to the Third
Day of Eternity. The wedding at Cana in Galilee points to the wedding of Christ
and his bride, the Church.
“‘Do whatever he tells
you.’ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of
purification."
Mary’s words are for anyone with ears to hear: Do
whatever Jesus tells you. The six stone water jars are representative of
the six days of creation. That is, they represent life in this world, which is
for man's purification. Those who are purified will enter the Seventh Day of rest
with God (which is no different from the Third Day of resurrection with Jesus).
"‘Fill the jars with
water.’ And they filled them to the brim.”
Jesus commands a life of repentance. To fill the six jars
with water is to engage in a lifelong (all six days of creation!) pursuit of
purification. It is to be filled with the Spirit of God, who drowns sin and is
Himself the Water springing up to everlasting life. (John 7:38-39) Those who
are filled “to the brim” with Him are those who turn from sin completely and
receive Him wholly.
“And
he said to them, ‘Now
draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So they took it.”
Another command from Jesus, and another
instance of unquestioned obedience. The Master is God the Father, and the
servants of Christ are to offer their repentance to the Father.
“When
the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know
where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the
master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine
first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept
the good wine until now.’”
In Christ, the water of repentance becomes
the wine of new life. Sorrow for sin becomes joy in the Lord. God the Father
finds this unusual, since everyone else tries to find joy by avoiding sorrow,
life by avoiding death, righteousness by avoiding confession. Christ Jesus, the
Bridegroom, has reversed the order. More accurately, He has demonstrated the
right order.
“This,
the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.
And his disciples believed in him.”
It is the nature of signs to signify
something. This particular sign – water made into wine, repentance made into
new life – signifies the divinity of Christ. It points to his glory. Only God
has true glory. Jesus is God. He has true glory.
If a sign is trustworthy, there are two things one should do with it: (1) trust it, and (2) follow it. The disciples trusted in and followed Christ
Jesus, the Lord of glory.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
A (Very) Brief Quiz for Keeping Things in Proper Perspective
What matters most to the Lord – and the basis on which He
will eternally judge me – is:
A. My achievements
B. How other people treat me
C. My trust in Jesus
D. How I treat others
Answer: C and D
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another just as He has commanded us.” – 1 John 3:23
A. My achievements
B. How other people treat me
C. My trust in Jesus
D. How I treat others
Answer: C and D
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another just as He has commanded us.” – 1 John 3:23
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Reflections on Epiphany
“We saw his star when it rose…” – Matthew 2:2
While the Jewish shepherds had received the testimony of angels, the Gentile magi were responding to the testimony of the star. The former knew the Scriptures and thus they were disposed to hear the voice of angels; the latter knew not the Scriptures and therefore needed another medium. Hence it was not the Scriptures but the created world that pointed the magi to the Christ.
These wise men were observant of the world in which they lived. Their observations, enlightened with the light of faith, led them to the Lord. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) This is the One through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together. This Child is the Reason – the Logos – of the created world.
By faith, the magi see this. He is their Creator; they have come to worship Him.
“Opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled. The nations have come to the Light of Israel (Isaiah 60:3), bringing gifts of gold and frankincense (Isaiah 60:6). But what do these gifts mean?
Gold is for kings, and this Child is King of the Jews. That is to say, this Child is King of all God’s people, including these magi, for one is a Jew inwardly and circumcision is a matter of the heart. (Romans 2:28-29) By bringing gold, the magi acknowledge Jesus as their King. Their gold is symbolic of the best they have to offer. They are presenting to Jesus not just gifts, but themselves. A true King deserves obedience from his people, and that is precisely what the magi are here offering.
Frankincense is for priests, and this Child is the High Priest. He is the Mediator between God and man, the Sacrifice acceptable to God, the Incense that rises up to the Lord as the one true Prayer of the saints. The magi bring frankincense as an acknowledgment, and also a symbol, of the priestly office of Jesus. They are coming to Him prayerfully, seeking reconciliation with God.
Lastly there is myrrh, an oil for anointing both the place of worship and also the priests who serve there (Exodus 30:22-33). This Child is himself the Tabernacle in whom God dwells. He is also the Priest who offers the one true Sacrifice of himself.
Additionally, myrrh is used for embalming the dead (John 19:39), and thus this final gift of the magi is prophetic: This Child is the One who will die for the sins of many. The magi are coming to Him repentantly, offering Him the mortification of their flesh. They want to “share his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
Wise Men Still Seek Him
Those who are truly observant of the world can be led by God to the Christ, through whom all things were made. The creation points to her Creator. Those who are attentive to life and enlightened by the Light of faith will come to acknowledge Jesus. He is their King to whom obedience is due, their Priest to whom they pray, their Sacrifice whom they join in death to sin.
This is true wisdom, given freely to anyone who would have it. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
While the Jewish shepherds had received the testimony of angels, the Gentile magi were responding to the testimony of the star. The former knew the Scriptures and thus they were disposed to hear the voice of angels; the latter knew not the Scriptures and therefore needed another medium. Hence it was not the Scriptures but the created world that pointed the magi to the Christ.
These wise men were observant of the world in which they lived. Their observations, enlightened with the light of faith, led them to the Lord. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) This is the One through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together. This Child is the Reason – the Logos – of the created world.
By faith, the magi see this. He is their Creator; they have come to worship Him.
“Opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled. The nations have come to the Light of Israel (Isaiah 60:3), bringing gifts of gold and frankincense (Isaiah 60:6). But what do these gifts mean?
Gold is for kings, and this Child is King of the Jews. That is to say, this Child is King of all God’s people, including these magi, for one is a Jew inwardly and circumcision is a matter of the heart. (Romans 2:28-29) By bringing gold, the magi acknowledge Jesus as their King. Their gold is symbolic of the best they have to offer. They are presenting to Jesus not just gifts, but themselves. A true King deserves obedience from his people, and that is precisely what the magi are here offering.
Frankincense is for priests, and this Child is the High Priest. He is the Mediator between God and man, the Sacrifice acceptable to God, the Incense that rises up to the Lord as the one true Prayer of the saints. The magi bring frankincense as an acknowledgment, and also a symbol, of the priestly office of Jesus. They are coming to Him prayerfully, seeking reconciliation with God.
Lastly there is myrrh, an oil for anointing both the place of worship and also the priests who serve there (Exodus 30:22-33). This Child is himself the Tabernacle in whom God dwells. He is also the Priest who offers the one true Sacrifice of himself.
Additionally, myrrh is used for embalming the dead (John 19:39), and thus this final gift of the magi is prophetic: This Child is the One who will die for the sins of many. The magi are coming to Him repentantly, offering Him the mortification of their flesh. They want to “share his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
Wise Men Still Seek Him
Those who are truly observant of the world can be led by God to the Christ, through whom all things were made. The creation points to her Creator. Those who are attentive to life and enlightened by the Light of faith will come to acknowledge Jesus. He is their King to whom obedience is due, their Priest to whom they pray, their Sacrifice whom they join in death to sin.
This is true wisdom, given freely to anyone who would have it. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
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