New Years Week – Saturday

And Jesus manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him. – John 2:11.

After Jesus had been baptized by John, had been tempted by the devil, and had gathered His first disciples, He returned with them to Galilee.  “And 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 had no right to tell Him how or when He should manifest His divine glory.]  His mother saith unto the servants: ‘Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.’  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.  Jesus saith unto them: ‘Fill the waterpots with water.’  And they filled them up to the brim.  And He saith unto them: ‘Draw out now, and bear it to the ruler of the feast.’  And they bare it.  And when the ruler of the feast 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 they have well drunk, then that which is worse, but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”  This was Jesus’ first miracle.  Thus did He manifest forth His divine glory which hitherto had been hidden.  And His disciples believed on Him the more firmly (John 2:1-11).  Dear Christian, you believe in your Savior and you are His disciple.  Blessed are you!  But to remain in this saving faith, and to grow ever more firm and ever more deeply rooted and grounded within it, so as to overcome all temptation and lastly to be saved, continue to read, study, and digest the living, powerful Word of God (Hebrews 4:12), and see how there His glory is revealed, the glory of the Only-Begotten Son of the Father, who is your willing Savior, who paid the full “ransom” (I Timothy 2:6) price to God to set you and all sinners free from the “condemnation” (Romans 8:1) deserved for every single sin.  “Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57)!

PRAYER – O God, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth, who glorifies Christ within the hearts of all believers, create, I beg Thee, continue to work within me a mind that gladly reads, ponders, and gladly receives Thy Word, beholding there the glory of my Savior, and clinging more and more to Him in ever stronger faith.  Keep me Thy dear child and heir until I join Thee in the glory of heaven through Jesus Christ, my only “Way” (John 14:6) to my heavenly home. Amen.

Thou holy Light, Guide Divine; oh, cause the Word of life to shine!

Teach us to know our God aright, and call Him Father with delight.

From ev’ry error keep us free; let none but Christ our Master be;

that we in living faith abide; in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide.

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!

Hymn 224, 2 (TLH)

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3,10

Weekly Theme: The Prophetic Office of Christ

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.