At our Christmas Eve service, the Newcomer (played by Mr. Anderson), asked an important question in regard to Jesus. But how can I be sure Jesus is the one God promised? It was a hotly debated question at the time of Jesus and is still a question that needs to be answered today. How can we be sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that he is the one that we are to trust in for our salvation. This is an important question for daily assurance and for eternal security. After all, if we are putting our trust in the wrong person or in the wrong thing for salvation . . . if we are wrong, we are going to hell!

But how can I be sure Jesus is the one God promised? Well, how did I answer the Newcomer on Christmas Eve? Member: God sent prophets to tell the people what the Savior would be like so they would recognize Him. Everything they said points to Jesus. When Jesus came into the world, those who were looking for the promised Savior would compare what he did and said with what the prophecies in the Old Testament had said that the Savior would do and say. Every time Jesus fulfilled one of those prophecies, he revealed a little bit more of who he is-that he is the Savior of the World.

We are entering the Epiphany season of the Church year. "A revelatory manifestation especially of that of a divine being." During this time we focus on how Jesus revealed that he is indeed the Savior promised to save us from our sins.

One of the many revelations was the fact that the Savior would be able to perform miraculous signs. He would do what no man could do by his own power to show that he was divine-true God. 

The book of John records seven such miraculous signs. John tells us near the end of his gospel the purpose of those signs. John 20:30ff.
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may_ believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The first sign that John records is the one given here in our text. Let's look closer at this miracle so that we can see how Jesus' miracles brought his disciples to faith.

The Epiphany of Our Lord.

1. He Revealed His Glory.
2. His Disciples Put Their Faith in Him.

Context: John tells us that Jesus and his disciples had been invited to a wedding in Cana. Just as today, a wedding was an important event in the life of a person. We are well aware of the many customs associated with weddings in America today. Weddings in Israel were somewhat different. We know little about what religious ceremonies were associated with the wedding itself. What we do know is that after the marriage, the bride and bridegroom would reside as king and queen over a feast which would often last for a whole week. During this time the guests would eat meat (which was not a part of their regular diet), drink wine, and amuse themselves with gossiping, trying to solve riddles, and watching entertainment. It was a great embarrassment for the host to run out of food and drink.

And yet, that is the potential problem that faced this couple. When Mary became aware of it, she went to Jesus and told him that they had run out of wine. It seems as though she expected Jesus to perform a miracle in order to help them out. 

Application: Mary did what any faithful Christian would do in time of trouble. She accepted the invitation to "Call upon me in the day of trouble." and trusted God's promise, "I will deliver you." We have troubles in our lives. It may be an illness, a sudden accident, a loss due to fire or theft, a conflict of views. It may be trying to keep up with rising costs or falling assets. And so in times of trouble we take it to the Lord in prayer and ask him to help either us or those others for whom we pray.

But note Jesus' answer: He politely defers and states that his time had not yet come. "My time has not yet come" is a common expression in the book of John. In this context it means that Jesus' time of revealing his glory as true God had not quite come yet. And that he would not change the plan given to him by his father, God, even at the request of his mother, Mary.

Sometimes Jesus mildly reminds us, "His time has not yet come." We must realize as the psalmist did that "My times are in your hands, O Lord." Certainly we will come to God with our prayers for help. But we must realize that God's answer will not be dictated by us and will come at the time appointed by him and that our prayers will be answered according to his will. Therefore, we can pray to God continually in confidence and trust that all of our prayers will be answered in a time and way that God knows is best for us.

Mary accepts this answer, and yet she holds up confidence that Jesus will act soon because she addressed the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

John then records this first miraculous sign of Jesus. He told them to fill six large stone jars used for ceremonial washing to the brim with water. Draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. When they followed Jesus' instructions, we find out that the water was changed into wine (fine wine). In fact the master of the banquet noted its quality when he said, to the bridegroom: 
"Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Aside: This does not necessarily mean that the guests had too much to drink at this feast or that Jesus was contributing to drunkenness. It is a general principle which is still followed today. You give the best first, and then when the senses have been dulled, you can get away with giving the lesser quality product.

This miracle of Jesus had several effects.
1. He showed his compassion for the wedding couple by saving them from embarrassment.
2. The quality of Jesus' work is superb.
3. He revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him.

Let us focus on the last one. The Newcomer at our Christmas Eve service had asked, "How can I be sure that Jesus is the one God promised?" It was a question that the people living in Israel at the time of Jesus also asked with great reverence. They really were looking forward to a Savior. Sure they had problems with the weather, health issues, political situation, economy, getting along with others, travel, and even providing the basic necessities such as food and clothing and a clean drinking water supply. They had the same if not more immediate concerns that we will ever have. And yet, they knew what was more important. Many knew that the biggest issue in life was the need for a Savior from sin who would rescue them from their spiritual enemies. Last week we heard how Zechariah praised God that he was putting his plan of salvation into effect.

And so when a man came teaching spiritual truths and preaching the word of God, the question would arise (as it did with John the Baptist), "Is this the Christ, the anointed one, sent by God?"

Jesus later would direct the people to his miracles such as this one. John 10 
37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." 

The disciples saw the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. As a result they put their faith in him-a faith that would continue to be strengthened for years to come.

Application: At the wedding of Cana, I'm sure the biggest concern for those in the know was the fact that the wine was running out. Sometimes we think that such really petty things are the biggest issues that we face today too. Take the Christmas Eve service for example. What might happen that would impact the "success" of the worship service? 
Run out of bulletins?
Not enough places to sit? All the good seats have been taken.
Ushers don't show up?
Not enough candy in the Christmas bags?
I can't find my shoes? My socks don't match? I might not say my piece at the right time?
Or like the Newcomer's first concern: Am I going to get a present?
But what was the biggest issue in the worship service? Whether or not the Newcomer (and us) realize that Jesus is the Greatest Gift whom God sent from heaven above to be our Savior from sin. How can we be sure that Jesus is the Savior? Again the words of John read earlier: 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus probably isn't going to come to your family gathering and perform another miracle. I seriously doubt he is going to appear in our church and perform a miracle. The next time he comes will be to judge the living and the dead. But through the signs recorded in the Bible we can see his glory and put our faith in him.

We had our annual meeting on Wednesday night. I was somewhat surprised about the passion with which our Minister of Education implored the voters to be involved in Bible study. I agree with him. We really do need to redirect ourselves to that which is most important. Not just the voters of our congregation who were there last night but every member of our congregation. By God's grace we are offered the opportunities to read what has been written about what Jesus has done to reveal his glory. Only through reading the Gospel and believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, will you have life in his name. Amen.