Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage is found in the second chapter of this New Testament book. “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come? His mother saith unto the servant, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus with unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, 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. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him” (John 2:1-11). “After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when he had made a courage of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remember that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:12-17). “Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he has risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (John 2:18-25). When you come to the second chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will encounter the first of the miracles which Jesus would do. If there is one thing I find absolutely and incredibly intriguing when reading the words presented in this passage of Scripture it’s whether or not the text suggests that this was the first of the miracles which Jesus began to do in general or whether or not this was the first of the miracles which He began to do in Cana of Galilee. In the eleventh verse of this second chapter you will find the apostle John writing and describing how “this beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee.” What’s more is that in this same verse you will find the apostle John going on to describing how not only would this beginning of miracles did Jesus do in Cana of Galilee but it would also mark the beginning of the manifestation of his glory—and not only the manifestation of his glory but His disciples beginning to believe on Him. In all reality if you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find the Lord Jesus beginning to do His miracles at this particular point of time in Cana of Galilee. Not only this but if you take the time to read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you will find that this beginning of miracles Jesus did would take place at a wedding. I am absolutely convinced that in order for us to truly understand and appreciate the words and language presented in this passage of Scripture there is a great need for us to consider the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness. The gospel narrative which was written by the beloved physician Luke gives perhaps the best description of the days leading up and even the days after Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the reality surrounding Jesus’ temptation for within His temptation we find the tempter coming unto Him with a very specific temptation. We know that there in the wilderness the tempter would show Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment’s of time and then offer them unto Him if He would but bow down and worship Him. It would be in direct response to this the Lord Jesus would resist the temptation and the tempter by quoting Scripture and declaring how it was commanded by the living God that man ought to worship the living God and Him alone. There in the wilderness the tempter would also take Jesus to the city of Jerusalem and set Him on a pinnacle of the Temple and tempt Him to cast Himself down for it was written in the word that He would give His angels charge over Him lest His foot dash against a stone. It would be in response to this temptation the Lord Jesus would emphatically declare that one ought not to tempt the Lord God. Both of these temptations are indeed necessary to think about and consider for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful and incredible truth surrounding Jesus’ resistance of the temptation(s) which were brought against Him. With this being said there is the additional temptation described by both the apostle Matthew and the beloved physician Luke where the tempter would come to Jesus and tempt Him to turn and transform stones into bread. The tempter would indeed come unto Jesus after He had fasted forty days and forty nights and was hungered and made his first temptation that of turning and transforming the stones into bread. If you read the words which are found in the opening verses of the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke you will find him describing how Jesus wears full of the Holy Ghost having returned from the Jordan. It would be in the first and opening verses of the fourth chapter the beloved physician Luke not only describes how Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost upon returning from Jordan but also how He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He would be tempted forty days of the tempter in the midst thereof. What I so absolutely love about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture is not only that Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost but so also would Jesus return from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. You cannot read the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke and not encounter the tremendous presence and power of the Holy Spirit within the life of the Lord Jesus. This chapter would indeed begin with the declaration that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit having come from the Jordan when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the bodily form as a dove and rested upon Him. In the opening verse of the fourth chapter we find Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost having come from the Jordan River and how it would be that same Spirit who would lead Him into the wilderness where He would be tempted of the tempter forty days. With this being said it’s absolutely necessary for us to recognize and understand that when we come to the fourteenth verse of this chapter we find that after the temptation in the wilderness Jesus would return in the power of the Spirit into Galilee and how there would go out a fame of Him through all the region round about. In addition to this it would be in the synagogue in Nazareth Jesus would read the words which were written in the prophet Isaiah concerning the Spirit of the LORD being upon Him and having anointed Him to preach the gospel to the poor and sent Him to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind and to set at liberty those which were bruised. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to recognize and understand the words and language which surrounds the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness for within those temptations we find one which I am convinced is intrinsically linked to the miracle which the Lord Jesus would perform in Cana of Galilee at a wedding of which He, his mother Mary and His disciples were invited to. What a truly wonderful and powerful passage of Scripture this is for within it we find Jesus and His disciples being invited into a place of covenant, ceremony and commitment. It would be Jesus who was indeed invited into a place of intimacy and fellowship as He would celebrate the junior of a man and a woman in covenant before and in the presence of the holy God. It would be here in Cana of Galilee the Lord Jesus would indeed be invited into a place of covenant and commitment and it would be in that place of celebration Jesus would begin to demonstrate and manifest His glory and where his disciples would begin to believe on Him. Keeping this in mind I find it absolutely necessary to also call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the four gospel narratives concerning the feeding of both the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand. It is within these two passages of Scripture we encounter and are brought face to face with the tremendous truth surrounding Jesus’ willingness to engage Himself in the giving of His own self and His own nature that the needs of others might be met. It would be through the feeding of both the five thousand and the four thousand we find the Lord Jesus taking bread, blessing and breaking the bread, giving thanks for the bread before and in the presence of the living and eternal God and then breaking it and giving it to His disciples that they might in turn give it unto the crowds which were set down on the grass in both of these areas. It is at this point I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives written by John Mark, the apostle Matthew and the beloved physician Luke concerning the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness for it sets the tone and stage for the beginning of His miracles which would be done in Cana of Galilee: “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth Jesus into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him” (Mark 1:9-13). “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbid him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17). “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward and hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him” (Matthew 4:1-11). “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22). “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungred, and the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it bear made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season” (Luke 4:1-13). I am absolutely convinced we must needs pay attention to the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness—and specifically the temptation to turn and transform stones into bread. It is through this temptation the Lord Jesus would be tempted to take stones which were present in the wilderness and use His divine power to turn and transform them into bread. In all reality I would dare say that this temptation had two distinct parts to it—both which the Lord Jesus needed to overcome. On the one hand I believe this temptation was designed to tempt Jesus to use his divine authority and power to demonstrate that He was the Son of the living God. This temptation was designed to have Jesus demonstrate that He was the Son of God by taking stones and turning and transforming them into bread. I have read that a better translation and rendering of the words the tempter spoke unto Jesus is not “If thou be the Son of God” but rather “Since thou be the Son of God.” This temptation to turn and transform stones into bread had at the very heart and core of it the temptation to use His divine power to take stones and transform them into bread which would indeed show and demonstrate that He was indeed the Son of the living God. Jesus had already heard at the Jordan River the voice of the Father emphatically declare that He was his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased and now the tempter comes unto Him tempting Him along those lines of identity. This first temptation was one which had at the very heart and center of it the tempter waiting to see if Jesus would turn stones into bread to demonstrate and show Himself as the Son of the living God. Undoubtedly the tempter knew that Jesus was indeed the Son of the living God and this temptation was designed and intended on inviting Him to show forth and demonstrate the truth that He was the Son of the living God by turning and transforming stones into bread. With this being said I would dare say this temptation had a second part to it which wasn’t merely the temptation to demonstrate that He was the Son of the living God by turning stones into bread. There is a second side and phase to this temptation in addition to this which was Jesus using His own divine power to turn and transform stones into bread to sustain Himself. This first temptation was designed to see whether or not the Lord Jesus would indeed use His own divine power to turn stones into bread to satisfy His own needs. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the truly wonderful and powerful reality of this temptation and how it was designed to truly test whether or not Jesus would use the divine power and authority that was present within Him and which the person and presence of the Holy Spirit had indeed bestowed upon Him to satisfy His own needs and demonstrate that He was indeed the Son of the living God. Remember in the second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John how he wrote that the miracle of the transforming of the water into wine was the beginning of the miracles which Jesus did in Cana of Galilee as He would show forth and demonstrate His glory that His disciples might believe on Him. Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly unique and captivating about this when we take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness and how the Lord Jesus would indeed be tempted to use His divine power and authority—not only to demonstrate and prove that He was the Son of the living God but also to satisfy and meet His own needs. There is absolutely no denying the incredible truth that is found within this passage of Scripture and how the Lord Jesus would indeed need to overcome this temptation to demonstrate and somehow prove that He was the Son of the living God by turning and transforming stones into bread. If there is one thing which makes the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness so incredibly unique when you take the time to think about it it’s that it would be there in the wilderness where Jesus would be tempted to use His own divine power and authority as the Son of God to demonstrate that He was indeed the Son of the living God. The tempter would come unto the Lord Jesus tempting Him to turn and transform stones into bread thinking and hoping that by doing so Jesus would demonstrate and show forth that He was indeed the Son of the living God. This is something we must not ignore and/or neglect when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and His ability to resist the temptation which the tempter had hurled against Him. It would be there in the wilderness the Lord Jesus would be tempted of the devil to not only demonstrate and show forth that He was the Son of the living God by turning and transforming stones into bread but also through the transformation of stones into bread he would satisfy His own hunger. Stop and consider what Jesus would and could have done with stones which He had turned and transformed into bread there in the wilderness. We already know that Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights and was afterward hungry and it is based on this alone we must needs conclude that if Jesus had indeed turned and transformed stones into bread there might have been the additional temptation to partake of that bread which He had just made. Imagine Jesus there in the wilderness having turned and transformed stones into bread and then encountering a second temptation directly linked to this which would indeed be whether or not He should eat and partake of the bread which was now present before Him. OH this actually leads me to an incredibly and important truth which is simply that there are times when we give into one of the temptations of the devil within our lives and the giving in to those temptations open the door to further temptation which we must then contend with. One thing we must needs recognize and understand concerning temptation is that it does not occur in a vacuum and it is not an isolated incident within our hearts and lives. I am absolutely and completely convinced that should the tempter come to us and tempt us with whatever temptations he does indeed bring against us we must not only recognize that we can and will have to contend with t hat temptation but we will also have to contend with the temptations which come after that. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need for us to pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it we find Jesus being tempted of the devil to turn and transform stones into bread—not only to demonstrate that He was indeed the Son of the living God but also that he might feed Himself and satisfy His own needs and hunger in the flesh. This temptation was designed to appeal to the earthly and human side of the Lord Jesus for we know that He did indeed take upon Himself the form of human flesh and blood. We know that Jesus did indeed come in the flesh and was tempted in all ways as we are, as we have been and as we will be. It would be there in the wilderness the Lord Jesus would be tempted of the devil to demonstrate that He was the Son of the living God by turning stones into bread—and not only turning and transforming stones into bread but also to satisfy and fulfill His own needs and hunger. Oh this is something we have a great need of recognizing and understanding for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the Lord Jesus overcoming the temptation of the devil—not only to demonstrate that He was indeed the Son of the living God but also overcoming the temptation to turn stones into bread that He might satisfy His own hunger and needs. Had the Lord Jesus turned and transformed stones into bread he would have had to face the added temptation of whether or not He would take the bread which He had just created and partake of it that He might satisfy His own needs within the flesh. It is with all of this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which the four gospel authors present within each of their gospel accounts concerning Jesus’ miracle of feeding the multitudes. There would be two gospel authors who would present both the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand while there would be two who would present only one of these miracles. What we must needs recognize and understand concerning this particular truth is that the temptation in the wilderness to turn and transform stones into bread was indeed intrinsically linked and connected to the miracle which Jesus would do when He would take bread and after looking up to heaven and giving thanks for it and blessing the Father He would begin breaking it and giving it unto the disciples that they might in turn give it unto the multitudes. The Lord Jesus would not turn and transform stones into bread in the wilderness to demonstrate that He was the Son of the living God and He would not turn and transform stones into bread in the wilderness to satisfy His own earthly needs and hunger yet what He would do was take loaves of bread and give thanks and bless and break it that the multitudes and crowds might be fulfilled.l It would be in the feeding of the five thousand as well as in the feeding of the four thousand Jesus would demonstrate and show forth His glory as He would multiply loaves of bread and fish that men and women might not only be fed but also fed to the full.. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for in the feeding of the five thousand as well as in the feeding of the four thousand we find the Lord Jesus taking physical loaves of bread and blessing and breaking it that the needs of others might be met. Oh what a truly awesome and wonderful truth this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible and wonderful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus manifesting and demonstrating His authority and divine power that the needs of others might be met. As I sit here today I can’t help but think about and feel the incredible need to call and draw your attention to the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand for they help set the tone and stage for what we find in the second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. IN the wilderness Jesus would not transform stones into bread to demonstrate His glory and to satisfy His own needs and yet at a wedding in Cana of Galilee Jesus would transform water into wine as He would demonstrate His glory and show forth the truth that He was indeed the Son of the living God. Oh how absolutely incredible it is to read the words which are found in the second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for he would be the only author who would present the miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding of Cana in Galilee that he might demonstrate His glory and that the disciples would indeed believe on Him. Jesus would not turn and transform stones into bread in the wilderness as a sign and demonstration that tHe was indeed the Son of the living God anymore than He would heed to the scribes and the Pharisees who would demand of Him sign. In fact it is in the second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John the Jews would come unto Jesus asking of Him what sign he would give and show unto them that would prove and demonstrate He had the divine authority and power to turn and enter into the Temple and overturn the tables of money, drive out the money changers and cast out all those which bought and sold. Oh dear brother and sister I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the four New Testament gospel narratives for they present the wonderful and powerful pictures of Jesus taking physical loaves of bread and after giving thanks in the sight and presence of the Father blessing and breaking them that he might make distribution unto the disciples to in turn give it to the multitudes and the crowds. Jesus would indeed demonstrate His glory in the multiplying of the loaves of bread and the fishes as He would meet the physical and earthly needs of the multitudes and crowds which were before Him. It is having said this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the tremendous and wonderful truth surrounding the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand as well as the feeding of the four thousand for they bring us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the demonstration of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in the meeting of the needs of others who were present before Him. With this in mind I now invite you to consider the following words which are found in each of the New Testament gospel narratives concerning the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand as Jesus would indeed demonstrate and show forth His glory and that the disciples and others might believe on Him and upon His name. Consider if you will the following words which are found in each of these New Testament gospels beginning with the gospel which was written by the apostle Matthew: “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his s disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 14:13-21). “Then Jesus called His disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest thy faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 15:32-38). It is in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew we encounter and come face to face with both the feeding of the five thousand as well as the feeding of the four thousand. In each of these instances the Lord Jesus would show forth and demonstrate His glory as He would not only be moved with compassion for the multitude but would also satisfy their hunger and meet their needs. The Lord Jesus was not willing to allow the multitude and crowds of people to depart from the wilderness and the desolate places hungry that they might both fast and faint along the way. Jesus would and could not allow the multitudes to depart from those wilderness and solitary places fasting and fainting and would instead instruct the disciples to have them make the people to lie down upon the grass in various different companies. There in the midst of those solitary, desolate and even wilderness places the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God would feed them—and not only feed them but fill them to the full. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by John Mark: “And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men” (Mark 6:32-44). “IN those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away” (Mark 8:1-9). Both the apostle Matthew and John Mark presented the truth surrounding Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand—and not only the feeding of the five thousand but also the feeding of the four thousand. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it would be the beloved physician Luke and the apostle John who would choose to only record the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand within their gospel accounts . I am absolutely convinced we must needs also consider these two gospel narratives for they call and draw our attention to the incredible truth that is found within each of these gospels and how these two authors also saw fit to present the feeding of the five thousand during the public life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative which was written by the beloved physician Luke beginning with the tenth verse: “And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received him, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them to sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets” (Luke 9:10-17). It is here in this passage of Scripture we find the beloved physician Luke presenting his audience and readers with the account of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand and how it would be there in the solitary and wilderness place Jesus would have the people sit down in companies of fifties. In that very place Jesus would declare unto the disciples that the multitudes and crowds did not need to go away because they were hungry, because they would wear away and because they were in need of physical nourishment and sustenance. Oh there is a great temptation to think that when men and women are in a place of physical need and when and as they begin to wear away that they need to be sent away that they might care for and tend unto themselves. The truth of the matter, however, is that when we read the words which are found in these passages of Scripture we must needs be brought to the point where we recognize that more often than not it is in those places when the crowds and multitudes are in their most vulnerable and weakened states we have been called to care for and minister unto them. Jesus was unwilling to send the crowds and multitude away fasting lest they faint along the way and would indeed feed them with and from five loaves of bread and two fishes. What’s more is that this miracle of the feeding of the five thousand would be one of those miracles which Jesus would perform which would be recorded in all four gospels. The apostle John would himself write of and include this miracle within his own gospel narrative and it would be written and found in the sixth chapter. It would be within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find and encounter the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the fourth account of the of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand Oh consider if you will the following words which are found in the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John beginning to read with and from the first verse: “After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberius. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath give barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” (John 6:1-14). I am absolutely convinced we must needs consider the narratives which are found in the four gospels concerning Jesus’ feeding of the multitudes for the apostle Matthew and John Mark would each include in their gospel both the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish as well as the feeding of the four thousand with seven loaves and a few fish. It would be the beloved physician Luke and the apostle John who would only include the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand in their gospels and it would be this miracle of the feeding of the five thousand which would be perhaps the only miracle that would be recorded in each of the four gospels. What makes the inclusion of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John so incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about it is when you consider that the very first miracle which would be recorded in the gospel would be a miracle of water and wine. What’s more is that in the second chapter of this New Testament gospel you will not only find a miracle of water and wine but you will find a miracle of water being turned into wine. While it was indeed true the wine which had been previously prepared for the wedding had run out Jesus would use that which would have undoubtedly been in abundance there in that place. It would be Jesus who would instruct the servants to fill the six water pots of stone which were present there and used after the manner of purification. There in that place there would be six large water pots made of stone which Jesus would command the servants to fill with water. Oh this is something I find absolutely incredible when you take the time to truly think about it for I can’t help but wonder what it was like for Mary the mother of Jesus to instruct these servants to do whatsoever Jesus commanded and instructed them to do. It would be here at the wedding of Cana of Galilee when the wine which had previously been prepared for the bride and the bridegroom as well as the guests and the governor of the feast would run out. There in that place the wine which had previously been prepared would have run out and I can’t help but wonder what would and could have happened in that moment. At one point was it realized that the wine had indeed run out and who was it that first alerted others that there was no more wine? There is a tremendous truth that is found in this passage of Scripture for within it we not only find the wine running out but we find Mary the mother of Jesus being informed of the lack and absence of the wine. Oh I have to wonder why they would have gone and come unto the mother of Jesus when the wine ran out and what they supposed or expected her to be able to do. Is it possible that they came unto Mary the mother of Jesus in the absence of wine because they thought and felt there was something she could do? The text seems to suggest that this was the first of the miracles which Jesus did in Cana of Galilee which would show forth and demonstrate His glory. If this was indeed the first miracle which Jesus would do there would have been no context or framework for those at the wedding to expect Jesus to be able to do anything. Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder how and why the mother of Jesus would have been the one to have been alerted to the absence of wine. What was it about the mother of Jesus that would make her the one they would go to when the wine would run out and when they would be in want of wine? When they came unto Mary the mother of Jesus what was their expectation and what did they think would and could have happened once she was told and informed of the dilemma? I read the words which are found in this passage of scripture and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the absence of wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee and how when the wine ran out and they began to be in want of wine they would come unto Mary the mother of Jesus. At this particular time the Lord Jesus had not done nor had He performed a single miracle so there is a great cause for wonder and bewilderment in my heart and mind when I think about what they might have expected the mother of Jesus to do. What we find about this passage is that when Mary heard that there was no more wine at the wedding she would speak unto her Son and declare unto her that they had no more wine. Upon hearing this Jesus would respond by declaring, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” Undeterred by the words of Jesus her son mary would speak unto the servants who attended unto the guests of the wedding and instruct them to do whatsoever He commanded them to do. Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of this for at the very heart of this miracle at the wedding of Cana of Galilee is the command of Jesus and the obedience of the servants. It would be Mary the mother of Jesus who would declare unto the servants and instruct them to do whatsoever Jesus commanded them—and not only do whatsoever Jesus commanded them but also do so without any questioning, doubt or anything of the sort. Within this passage of Scripture we find two distinct commands spoken by the Lord Jesus unto the servants of the wedding—the first of which was the command to fill the six water pots of stone with water while the second was to draw water out of one of the water pots made of stone and bring it unto the governor of the feast. Oh we dare not and must not and miss sight of this for there is something truly captivating and astonishing about the words and language we find here as they call and draw our attention to the command of Jesus and the obedience of the servants which were present at the wedding. Here at this wedding in Cana of Galilee we find the wine running out and those who were present to be in want of wine. Scripture doesn’t reveal who would come unto Mary the mother of Jesus concerning the absence and lack of wine and what we find her doing is essentially two different and two distinct actions. Upon hearing that there was no more wine Mary would first speak unto her Son Jesus and declare unto them how they had no more wine. Despite the response and words which Jesus would give her Mary would then speak unto the servants who attended unto the guests of the wedding instructing them to do whatsoever Jesus commanded and spoke unto them. What we find as we continue reading the words found in this passage of Scripture is how Jesus would issue two distinct commands to the servants who attended the guests of the wedding. Prior to Jesus getting involved in the absence of wine these servants would attend to the guests of the wedding and would potentially report to the governor of the feast and now in the absence of the wine Jesus would become the captain and governor of the feast. Although there was indeed an initial and original governor of the wedding and feast on this particular occasion it would be the Lord Jesus who would become the captain and governor of the feast in the absence of wine. Oh we must not miss and lose sight of this for it would be in the absence of wine that Jesus would indeed be called upon to demonstrate and show forth His glory as He would perform the first of his miracles at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. This is something we dare not and must not ignore for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that in the absence of wine when men would be in want of wine Jesus would indeed be the one who would give command and instruction unto the servants of the feast. It would be the servants of the feast who would not only be commanded and instructed by the Lord Jesus but would also be expected to do exactly and precisely what Jesus had commanded and spoken unto them to do. THE COMMAND OF JESUS AND THE OBEDIENCE OF THE SERVANTS! THE COMMAND OF JESUS AND THE INSTRUCTION UNTO SERVANTS! If there is one thing I absolutely love about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture it’s that when Mary the mother of Jesus was made aware of the lack of wine she immediately turned to her Son Jesus. Scripture is unclean as to what Mary expected or even hoped Jesus would do in that hour at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, however even with the response and words He spoke unto her she would instruct the servants of the wedding to do whatsoever Jesus commanded them. If there is one thing Mary knew and understood it’s the need for obedience from the servants to that which her Son had instructed and commanded them. Perhaps one of the most overlooked realities of this miracle of the transforming of water into wine is the obedience of the servants for the servants had to obey that which Jesus commanded. What’s more is that these servants had absolutely no clue what Jesus was going to command and instruct them to do nor did they have any framework for that which Jesus would or could do. The apostle John makes it perfectly clear at the end of this chapter that this beginning of miracles which Jesus did would be done in Cana of Galilee which suggests that this would have not only been the beginning of the miracles which Jesus would do but also the beginning of the demonstration of His glory in the midst of the earth. When the servants of the wedding feast heard the words which were spoken by Mary the mother of Jesus they would indeed find themselves needing to choose whether or not they would hear and obey whatsoever Jesus commanded them not knowing that which He would command and instruct them. These servants were required to listen to that which the Lord Jesus commanded and instructed them and then do exactly and precisely what He had commanded and instructed them. I find it incredibly captivating when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture that Mary would instruct the servants of the wedding to do whatsoever thing(s) Jesus commanded them and they would have absolutely no idea what that would entail. This is something which we must needs recognize and understand for we ourselves are given the instruction to do whatsoever Jesus speaks and commands unto us. Even when we don’t know what Jesus can and will command and speak unto us and even when what He commands us seems to make no sense to our natural and logical mind there is a great need for us to recognize His voice speaking unto us and His commanding us to walk in obedience to Him. These servants of the feast would be instructed by Mary the mother of Jesus to do whatsoever Jesus had commanded and instructed them and there would essentially be two different commands which were given and spoken unto them. The first command spoken unto them would be to fill six water pots made of stone with water and to do so without asking any questions—simply obeying that which Jesus had spoken and commanded them to do. The second command spoken unto them would be to draw water out of the water pots which they had just filled with water. What’s more is that not only were they to draw water out of the water pot but they were also instructed to bring that which they had drawn out of the water pot unto the governor of the feast. What a truly wonderful and powerful truth this truly is when you take the time to think about it for I can’t help but wonder at what point the water was turned and transformed into wine. We know the servants were to draw forth water out of the water pots and bring them unto the governor, however, Scripture does not describe whether or not the water was transformed into wine in the water pots, if the water was turned into wine as they were bringing it unto the governor or if the water was turned into wine when the master of the feast tasted it upon his lips. I have previously written concerning this miracle and how the power of transformation more often than not comes in the place of obedience. Jesus instructed and commanded these servants to fill the water pots with water and to draw forth water from them that they might bring it unto the feast. Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if these servants continued to draw forth water out of these water pots and bring them unto more than simply the governor of the feast. The apostle John only describes Jesus instructing these servants to draw water from one of the water pots and bring it unto the governor of the feast and yet I would dare say that what would begin simply and solely with drawing water out of one of the water pots and bringing it unto the governor of the feast would continue with perhaps pitchers being used to draw water out of the water pots and bring them unto the guests of the wedding. I do not believe for one moment Jesus would turn and transform water into wine solely for the governor of the feast to taste of the water that was turned into wine. Scripture indicates that it was the governor of the feast who first tasted of the water which was turned into wine despite the fact that he did not know where it came from. The only thing the governor of the feast knew was that in midst weddings and feasts the best wine would be used at the beginning of the feasts and once the guests had drunk their full and were perhaps inebriated they would bring out the lesser wine. What the governor of the feast proclaimed in this particular wedding and feast was that the best wine had been saved for last. The more I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding Jesus’ turning of water into wine and how what Scripture speaks of and reveals as simply Jesus instructing the servants to draw water and bring it unto the governor of the feast would continue with these servants drawing water out of these water pots over and over again. I would imagine these servants would begin using pitchers and perhaps even wine skins and drawing water out of these water pots having realized what had taken place. It was the apostle John who revealed that the governor of the feast tasted the water which was made wine and had absolutely no clue that what he was tasting was previously water which had been transformed into wine. Scripture reveals how the governor of the feast did not even know where the wine had come from—this despite the servants of the feast knowing that it had come from six water pots which they had personally filled with water. Oh what makes this miracle all the more intriguing is when you consider the role the servants played for not only would they be used to fill these water pots with water but they would also be used to draw out that which they had previously filled them with. These servants would originally fill these six water pots with water and yet when the time came for them to draw the water out of these water pots they would experience that water being transformed into wine. This is something truly astonishing and remarkable when you take the time to think about it for these servants would be used to fill these six water pots with water and who knows how long it took them and how many trips it would take to fill them to the brim. Once—and only when—these water pots were filled with water would Jesus then give the command to the servants to draw water out of one of them and bring it unto the feast. What’s more is that when Jesus instructed them to take water out of one o f these water pots He offered no explanation as to what was going to take place. Jesus did not tell them they would draw water out of the water pots and that water would be turned into wine. Jesus did not give these servants any clue that when they drew forth the water out of these water pots that it would be turned into wine. If there is one thing I so absolutely love about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture it’s that it would be in the process of obedience that transformation would take place. What’s more is that up until this point in time water had never been turned nor had it been transformed into wine. Throughout the countless generations and centuries which had passed since the beginning of time it had never been reported that water had been—or even could be turned into wine. What we find here in this passage of Scripture, however, is a wonderful and powerful testimony of this water being turned into wine—something which the servants had absolutely no idea could even take place. I find it incredibly unique when reading the words presented in this passage of Scripture to consider how these servants would fill the water pots made of stone with water not knowing what Jesus would command them to do next nor even what would come as a result of it. The only thing these servants knew was that they were taking something which perhaps was in abundance at the feast and that Jesus had instructed them to fill these six water pots which had previously been used for purification with it. Here at this wedding these servants would fill the water pots with water and Scripture doesn’t reveal how long or how many trips it took them to finally fill all six water pots. Moreover scripture doesn’t reveal how many servants there were who were indeed part of this particular miracle Jesus had performed at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. The only thing we know is that there was more than one servant who was given the instruction to fill six water pots with water before receiving additional instruction from the Lord Jesus Christ. I am sitting here today thinking about the incredible truth that is found at the very heart of this miracle and I am brought face to face with the fact that what would have began with these servants drawing water out of one of the water pots—perhaps with a ladle or a spoon of some sort—would have continued with pitchers and maybe even wine skins being used. I do not believe that the governor of the feast was the only one to taste of the water which was made wine for that would have been too small in within this passage of Scripture. I find it absolutely necessary to present to you that Jesus’ turning of water into wine would indeed be that of causing everyone at the banquet and feast to partake of this water which had been turned into wine. Imagine what it would have done within the hearts, within the minds and within the souls of these servants who continued to draw forth water from these water pots and with each time they presented the wine unto the guests of the wedding it would be turned into wine. I can’t help but think about the reward for the obedience of these servants would indeed be witnessing firsthand the manifestation of the glory of God—and not only the manifestation of the glory of God but also the miracle of water being turned into wine. These servants would be participants in something that up until that time had never happened nor would ever happen again in the course of history. I have never known there to have been any similar miracle performed in the course of history when water was indeed turned into wine that others might partake of it. These servants would witness and experience this miracle of water being turned into wine firsthand and undoubtedly they themselves would believe on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. These servants would not only be active participants in the miracle of the transformation of water into wine but they would also be those who would be used of Jesus to cause the guests of the wedding to partake of this wine. That which is found in this passage of Scripture is incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about how Jesus would take that which had never been changed or transformed before and would cause it to be changed at a wedding of all places. Jesus would take that which had never been changed or transformed and through the obedience of the servants to his command would cause water to be changed into wine. What’s more is when you begin to think about how wine is made and how it comes from a completely different source which is a grape—and not only comes from a grape but also is pressed that the juice contained within the grape is made available to be used to make wine. What’s more is that when you think of how wine is made you must realize that it is not only made through pressure and pressing but it is also made through time. Two of the greatest components for the making of wine is time and pressure and that which Jesus did on this particular occasion is take that which had never been transformed before and that which in and of itself could not be turned or made into wine and would perform it at this wedding. In turning water into wine—not only would Jesus take that which had never been transformed into wine before and make it so but Jesus would produce something without the pressure and time it would take to make and produce the wine. What’s more is that the wine Jesus would produce and transform on this particular day would indeed be that which the governor of the feast had not tasted prior to this particular day. How absolutely incredible it is that when water would be turned into wine for the very first and last time ever in recorded history it would be perceived as the best wine that was brought forth at this wedding. It would be here at this wedding this water which had no unique capabilities or attributes in and of itself would experience change and transformation in the presence of the Lord Jesus. What’s more is that Jesus would offer these servants the ability to be a part of the manifestation of His glory and through their obedience they would draw out water and in the process of bringing it to another the transformation would indeed take place. As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to draw your attention to the incredible truth that on this particular occasion Jesus would take that which had never experienced transformation before and that which men perhaps didn’t even think could or would experience transformation and would make it a reality in the presence of many. I am absolutely convinced that what we have in this particular passage of Scripture is a truly wonderful picture about the power within the person and presence of Jesus to take that which perhaps has never experienced transformation before and bring transformation and change in it in such a way that causes others to marvel. The governor of the feast did not know where the wine he tasted came from nor did he even know that it was water which had been turned into wine which he partook of. With this being said we must needs recognize that what the governor of the feast experienced was the power of transformation which he himself perceived and exclaimed as being the best which was saved for the last. We must needs recognize and understand that when Jesus performs transformation—particularly and especially in that which previously hadn’t experienced transformation—He performs the transformation in such a way that it causes others to not only marvel but also wonder at the work which had been performed. How absolutely beautiful it is to think about the fact that Jesus can take that person or that situation which perhaps has never been changed or transformed and so completely and utterly transform it that it causes others to marvel and causes faith to be increased and grow within themselves. There is a great need to pay attention to the words which we find in this passage of Scripture for not only does Jesus have the ability to transform that which otherwise hasn’t and wouldn’t be transformed but he also has the ability to take that which is transformed and make it better than the original product. The water which experienced the transformation of Jesus and made into wine would be perceived as being even better than the original product and that which had been pressed and fermented. I absolutely love the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it we find the transformation which the Lord Jesus would perform producing something that was of a vastly superior quality than that which had been tasted and drunk previously. The governor of the feast had perhaps tasted countless different wines throughout the feast and now he was tasting something that was vastly superior to that which he had previously tasted and drank. What a truly wonderful and powerful testimony and witness this is to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ who can take that which otherwise wouldn’t and couldn’t be transformed and so transform it that it produces a product that is vastly superior to anything that has come before it. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that when Jesus brings forth a change and transformation within our lives—particularly in areas which have not experienced transformation before—that transformation is so thorough and complete that it produces something which is vastly better than anything that has come before it. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly beautiful about the change and transformation the Lord Jesus Christ creates and transforms. Oh what we find within this passage is not Jesus creating something new from nothing but Jesus taking something that already had a particular makeup and substance to it and so radically transforming it into something it could and would never otherwise be. We know that the apostle Paul wrote how any man who is in Christ is a new creation as old things are passed away and all things have become new, however, what we must needs recognize and understand concerning this is the sheer and utter power of transformation that is found at the very heart and center of it and how the Lord Jesus takes that which originally had one nature and so radically altered and transformed that nature into something that could be consumed by others. Oh perhaps the single greatest question we can and must needs ask ourselves is whether or not Jesus is transforming and has transformed our lives with our nature and our makeup into something that is so vastly superior to anything that has come before it. Are we living testaments, testimonies and witnesses of the change and transformation which the Lord Jesus can indeed produce as a direct manifestation of His glory?