26/04/2020 | Longing For Hope | Needing A Miracle | Andy Mackie | Online Service
Riverside Church, Birmingham, UK
Title: Needing A Miracle
By: Andy Mackie
Bible Reading: Book of John (Chapter 2, verses 1-11)
Recorded: Sunday 26/04/2020 (Online Service)
Longing For Hope: Needing A Miracle
If ever we needed a miracle, it is now. And so, it’s valuable to spend some time exploring the first miracle, the first ‘sign’, in John’s gospel. Verse 11 spells out that Jesus’ miracles are never just blunt displays of power. No, they point to something - to who Jesus really is. Therefore, this beautiful miracle has some really important pointers for us today, in a time when we are desperate for a miracle.
The first, and obvious, point is that Jesus is the real master of the banquet. His mother knows it (v5 – mums always know best!), and everyone else is about to discover it. Even though everyone has their role to play, Jesus is actually the only one who really is in control. Secondly, Jesus is the real master of the banquet. It is no coincidence that Jesus’ first recorded miracle was about a party. He is interested in our joy and community (wedding feasts were much more significant community events in those days). In the middle of this pandemic, don’t we need to know that Jesus is in control and really cares about our wellbeing?
OK, that’s all well and good. But what hope does that actually give us today? Well, this is where the context of this miracle is so refreshing, because we are given a number of amazing signposts. There is a mixture of: our need for cleansing from sin and the emptiness & powerlessness of religious duty to do so (ceremonial jars in v6); the very real eternal hope that Jesus offers (his ‘hour’ had not yet come, but through his death & resurrection the promises of Isaiah 25:6-8 are delivered); and Jesus is the great bridegroom who commits himself to us, which is better than any temporary and fleeting comfort (v9-10). That brings hope!
For full videos of our livestream services please visit our YouTube Channel - http://bit.ly/RiversideChurchOnline
What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together physically on a Sunday morning is still true of us online. We exist to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers. Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community.
To find out more about Riverside Church and to find our social media account infomration please visit: https://riverside-church.org.uk/
Note: While this talk is based on the above listed sections of the Bible, the actual bible readings used during our services may sometimes change.
By: Andy Mackie
Bible Reading: Book of John (Chapter 2, verses 1-11)
Recorded: Sunday 26/04/2020 (Online Service)
Longing For Hope: Needing A Miracle
If ever we needed a miracle, it is now. And so, it’s valuable to spend some time exploring the first miracle, the first ‘sign’, in John’s gospel. Verse 11 spells out that Jesus’ miracles are never just blunt displays of power. No, they point to something - to who Jesus really is. Therefore, this beautiful miracle has some really important pointers for us today, in a time when we are desperate for a miracle.
The first, and obvious, point is that Jesus is the real master of the banquet. His mother knows it (v5 – mums always know best!), and everyone else is about to discover it. Even though everyone has their role to play, Jesus is actually the only one who really is in control. Secondly, Jesus is the real master of the banquet. It is no coincidence that Jesus’ first recorded miracle was about a party. He is interested in our joy and community (wedding feasts were much more significant community events in those days). In the middle of this pandemic, don’t we need to know that Jesus is in control and really cares about our wellbeing?
OK, that’s all well and good. But what hope does that actually give us today? Well, this is where the context of this miracle is so refreshing, because we are given a number of amazing signposts. There is a mixture of: our need for cleansing from sin and the emptiness & powerlessness of religious duty to do so (ceremonial jars in v6); the very real eternal hope that Jesus offers (his ‘hour’ had not yet come, but through his death & resurrection the promises of Isaiah 25:6-8 are delivered); and Jesus is the great bridegroom who commits himself to us, which is better than any temporary and fleeting comfort (v9-10). That brings hope!
For full videos of our livestream services please visit our YouTube Channel - http://bit.ly/RiversideChurchOnline
What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together physically on a Sunday morning is still true of us online. We exist to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers. Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community.
To find out more about Riverside Church and to find our social media account infomration please visit: https://riverside-church.org.uk/
Note: While this talk is based on the above listed sections of the Bible, the actual bible readings used during our services may sometimes change.
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