the desire of ages-第31章
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clear beyond all controversy that Jesus was the Messiah。 They looked for the religious leaders to receive Him with confidence even greater than their own。 They declared among the people the wonderful works of Christ and their own confidence in His mission； but they were amazed and bitterly disappointed by the unbelief； the deep…seated prejudice； and the enmity to Jesus； displayed by the priests and rabbis。 The Saviour's early miracles strengthened the disciples to stand against this opposition。
In nowise disconcerted by the words of Jesus； Mary said to those serving at table； 〃Whatsoever He saith unto you； do it。〃 Thus she did what she could to prepare the way for the work of Christ。
Beside the doorway stood six large stone water jars； and Jesus bade the servants fill these with water。 It was done。 Then as the wine was wanted for immediate use； He said； 〃Draw out now； and bear unto the governor of the feast。〃 Instead of the water with which the vessels had been filled； there flowed forth wine。 Neither the ruler of the feast nor the guests generally were aware that the supply of wine had failed。 Upon tasting that which the servants brought； the ruler found it superior to any he had ever before drunk； and very different from that served at the beginning of the feast。 Turning to the bridegroom； he said； 〃Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine； and when men have well drunk； then that which is worse： but thou hast kept the good wine until now。〃
As men set forth the best wine first； then afterward that which is worse； so does the world with its gifts。 That which it offers may please the eye and fascinate the senses； but it proves to be 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 for the soul never fails to give satisfaction and joy。 Each new gift increases the capacity of the receiver to appreciate and enjoy the blessings of the Lord。 He gives grace for grace。 There can be no failure of supply。 If you abide in Him； the fact that you receive a rich gift today insures the reception of a richer gift tomorrow。 The words of Jesus to Nathanael express the law of God's dealing with the children of faith。 With every fresh revelation of His love； He declares to the receptive heart； 〃Believest thou？ thou shalt see greater things than these。〃 John 1：50。
The gift of Christ to the marriage feast was a symbol。 The water represented baptism into His death； the wine； the shedding of His blood
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for the sins of the world。 The water to fill the jars was brought by human hands； but the word of Christ alone could impart to it life…giving virtue。 So with the rites which point to the Saviour's death。 It is only by the power of Christ； working through faith； that they have efficacy to nourish the soul。
The word of Christ supplied ample provision for the feast。 So abundant is the provision of His grace to blot out the iniquities of men； and to renew and sustain the soul。
At the first feast He attended with His disciples； Jesus gave them the cup that symbolized His work for their salvation。 At the last supper He gave it again； in the institution of that sacred rite by which His death was to be shown forth 〃till He come。〃 1 Cor。 11：26。 And the sorrow of the disciples at parting from their Lord was comforted with the promise of reunion； as He said； 〃I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine； until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom。〃 Matt。 26：29。
The wine which Christ provided for the feast； and that which He gave to the disciples as a symbol of His own blood； was the pure juice of the grape。 To this the prophet Isaiah refers when he speaks of the new wine 〃in the cluster；〃 and says； 〃Destroy it not； for a blessing is in it。〃 Isa。 65：8。
It was Christ who in the Old Testament gave the warning to Israel； 〃Wine is a mocker； strong drink is raging： and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise。〃 Prov。 20：1。 And 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。 His whole life was an example of self…denial。 In order to break the power of appetite； He suffered in our behalf the severest test that humanity could endure。 It was Christ who directed that John the Baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink。 It was He who enjoined similar abstinence upon the wife of Manoah。 And He pronounced a curse upon the man who should put the bottle to his neighbor's lips。 Christ did not contradict His own teaching。 The unfermented wine which He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink。 Its effect was to bring the taste into harmony with a healthful appetite。
As the guests at the feast remarked upon the quality of the wine； inquiries were made that drew from the servants an account of the
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miracle。 The company were for a time too much amazed to think of Him who had performed the wonderful work。 When at length they looked for Him； it was found that He had withdrawn so quietly as to be unnoticed even by His disciples。
The attention of the company was now turned to the disciples。 For the first time they had the opportunity of acknowledging their faith in Jesus。 They told what they had seen and heard at the Jordan； and there was kindled in many hearts the hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people。 The news of the miracle spread through all that region； and was carried to Jerusalem。 With new interest the priests and elders searched the prophecies pointing to Christ's coming。 There was eager desire to learn the mission of this new teacher； who appeared among the people in so unassuming a manner。
The ministry of Christ was in marked contrast to that of the Jewish elders。 Their regard for tradition and formalism had destroyed all real freedom of thought or action。 They lived in continual dread of defilement。 To avoid contact with the 〃unclean；〃 they kept aloof； not only from the Gentiles； but from the majority of their own people； seeking neither to benefit them nor to win their friendship。 By dwelling constantly on these matters； they had dwarfed their minds and narrowed the orbit of their lives。 Their example encouraged egotism and intolerance among all classes of the people。
Jesus began the work of reformation by coming into close sympathy with humanity。 While He showed the greatest reverence for the law of God； He rebuked the pretentious piety of the Pharisees； and tried to free the people from the senseless rules that bound them。 He was seeking to break down the barriers which separated the different classes of society； that He might bring men together as children of one family。 His attendance at the marriage feast was designed to be a step toward effecting this。
God had directed John the Baptist to dwell in the wilderness； that he might be shielded from the influence of the priests and rabbis； and be prepared for a special mission。 But the austerity and isolation of his life were not an example for the people。 John himself had not directed his hearers to forsake their former duties。 He bade them give evidence of their repentance by faithfulness to God in the place where He had called them。
Jesus reproved self…indulgence in all its forms； yet He was social in His nature。 He accepted the hospitality of all classes； visiting the homes
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of the rich and the poor； the learned and the ignorant； and seeking to elevate their thoughts from questions of commonplace life to those things that are spiritual and eternal。 He gave no license to dissipation； and no shadow of worldly levity marred His conduct； yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness； and by His presence sanctioned the social gathering。 A Jewish marriage was an impressive occasion； and its joy was not displeasing to the Son of man。 By attending this feast； Jesus honored marriage as a divine institution。
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