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CLASS V.

MISCELLANEOUS MIRACLES.

DISCOURSES XXI-XXVIII.

DISCOURSE XXI.

THE CONVERSION OF WATER INTO WINE.

JOHN II. 11.

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

We now enter upon the fifth part of our classification, which comprises THE MISCELLANEOUS MIRACLES of our Lord. The first of these, and indeed of the whole series which he publicly performed, is the conversion of water into wine on the occasion of a marriage feast at Cana of Galilee, as is detailed in the foregoing context.

For many years, even after he had attained to manhood, our blessed Saviour continued to live in comparative privacy and retirement. We know nothing indeed with certainty concerning his history, during the time which elapsed between his memorable interview with the doctors in the temple at Jerusalem, when he was twelve years old, and his baptism by John, which took place when he had attained, or was

on the point of attaining, the age of thirty. Shortly after the latter event, he commenced his public ministrations, and confirmed his doctrine from time to time by the most indisputable evidences of his Divine character and mission.

In directing our attention to that particular manifestation of his power which is presented to us in the narrative of which our text is the concluding portion, let us notice,

I. THE OCCASION ON WHICH THE MIRACLE WAS PERFORMED:

II. THE

CIRCUMSTANTIAL

MIRACLE ITSELF and

ACCOUNT OF THE

III. THE IMPORTANT RESULT WHICH FOLLOWED.

I. We notice, in the first place, THE OCCASION ON

WHICH THE MIRACLE WAS PERFORMED.

"And the third day," says the Evangelist,—that is, the third day after our Lord had come into Galilee, and conversed with Nathanael, as is recorded in the concluding part of the foregoing chapter,"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."

The ceremonies attendant upon the solemnization of marriage among the Jews, were distinguished by a liberal hospitality; more or less extensive, indeed, according to the rank and circumstances of the contracting parties. The near relatives and friends of the bride and bridegroom were invited to share in

the festivities of the joyous season, which were usually protracted to a period of seven days. An opportunity was thus afforded them of indicating their approval of the union, no less than of enjoying the pleasure and benefit of social intercourse at so suitable a time. It is probable also that other guests, besides those who were directly invited, were sometimes admitted to a share of the bridal feast, and considerably increased the assembled concourse.

Of such a description was the occasion to which our attention is here directed, as that on which our Lord saw fit to "manifest forth his glory," at the very commencement of his public life." There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee,"—a place so called to distinguish it from some other Cana, which we must suppose to have been at least as well known at that time, as the one of which the Evangelist is speaking.

"And the mother of Jesus was there." Hence it has been conjectured that the marriage was that of a near relative of Mary, who seems not only to have been present without any special invitation, but also to have taken a prominent part in the arrangements of the feast." And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage." It is evident from the sequel, that our Lord accepted the invitation, and graced the solemnity with his valuable presence. Hence we are assured that he gave his direct approbation to that holy estate of matrimony' which he thus adorned and beautified,'-honouring it as the institution of God, and regarding it, when enterprised or taken in hand' in accordance with that

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