Trusting Jesus to Meet Needs

February 8

What do you think?

• What kinds of things can you learn about a person from their business or calling card?

Today we look at a miracle performed by Jesus that served

as His calling cardWe start to see a revelation

about who He is

Listen for what sounds like a disagreement between Jesus and His mother.

John 2:1-5 (NIV) On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, [2] and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. [3] When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." [4] "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." [5] His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Expect Jesus to Provide

• What was the setting of this conversation?• Note Jewish wedding events• Bride prepared through ritual of bathing, adorning

Expect Jesus to Provide

• Jewish Wedding Events• Bride carried in a procession from her father’s

house to groom’s house

Expect Jesus to Provide

• Jewish Wedding Events• Groom receives bride, accompanies her inside

Expect Jesus to Provide

• Jewish Wedding Events• Wedding feast lasts 7 days

Expect Jesus to Provide

• Jewish Wedding Events• Expense of food and wine for entire time was the

groom’s responsibility

Expect Jesus to Provide

• Mary comes to Jesus with the problem of running out of wine. What reasons might Mary have had for wanting Jesus to miraculously provide the wine?

• What was Jesus’ response to His mother? • What do you find curious about His response? This suggests that Jesus is guided by his

heavenly Father • not by the agenda of any human beings

Expect Jesus to Provide

• How did Jesus’ mother respond to His reply? • What are some different ways we could

interpret or understand her response to His reluctance?

• Mary wanted her Son to solve a problem, meet a need. What problems or needs exists in our lives that Jesus could take care of?

We should expect Jesus to act … just

like Mary did.

Listen for how people respond to Jesus’ instructions.

John 2:6-8 (NIV) Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. [7] Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. [8] Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,

Obey Jesus when He Asks

• What are the specifics of the containers mentioned?

• Let’s note the commands Jesus gave and the responses.

• What would be physically difficult about obeying Jesus’ commands? Why?

• What would be physically difficult about obeying Jesus’ commands? Why?

Commands Responses

Obey Jesus when He Asks

• What benefits did the servants receive from following Jesus’ command?

• What commands does Jesus give us that seem difficult? What are benefits of obeying these commands?

Commands Benefits

Listen for the results of changing of water to wine.

John 2:9-11 (NIV) and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside [10] and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first

Listen for the results of changing of water to wine.

and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." [11] This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

Celebrate Jesus’ Provisions

• How did the master of the banquet respond when he tasted what the servants brought?

• What were the different understandings of who was responsible for the wine?

• According to the passage, what were the results of this miracle?

Celebrate Jesus’ Provisions

• Why do you think Jesus did not correct the MC and the bridegroom and let it be known that He had done it?

• The disciples believed. What things has Jesus done that have caused you to have faith in Him?

• How should we respond to these revelations of God’s glory?

Application

• Expect Jesus to act, just as Mary did.• Trust Him to act in His way• Trust Him to act in His time• Watch for His provision, anticipate it

Application

• What things might God be calling you to do?• Witness to a neighbor• Volunteer for a church ministry• Go on a missions trip

Know that as you obey, God will provide what it takes.

Application

• Recognize that it is God who is at work in your life every day• Look for “sightings” of God’s workings this week• Each time, thank Him for His power and authority

at work• Share with someone else what you experienced

God doing

Trusting Jesus to Meet Needs

February 8