Eyes that begin to see...

EYES THAT BEGIN TO SEE...

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, p. 38). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

For people to catch a vision, they must first open their eyes. Spiritual realities are not easy to perceive, especially when one has spent an entire lifetime wearing spiritual blinders.

"Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.”” ()

"Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.”” ()

At the spiritual level, the blind refers to those who are in spiritual darkness, and are therefore lost, and know it (just as the blind man repeatedly emphasizes how little he knows, vv. 25, 36). Jesus came to open their eyes, to give them the ‘light’ of revelation that will enable them to see. But those who see (which is Jesus’ cryptic and ironic way of saying ‘those who think they see’), like the Pharisees in this chapter who make so many confident pronouncements but who are profoundly wrong (vv. 16, 22, 24, 29, 34), inevitably reject the true light when it comes. So certain are they that they can see, they utterly reject any suggestion to the contrary, and thereby confirm their own darkness.

It was Jesus’ clear intention to fully but gradually expose his disciples to the nature of his kingdom. As we focus in on , we observe the Master in the process of giving His disciples unique insights into some of the areas of life in which they had long been visionless.

Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 378). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

The Miraculous among the Mundane

Jesus departed for Cana of Galilee with many new and curious men in his entourage. With the touch of an expert discipler, Jesus ushered His trainees into a world they had always lived in but had never fully seen.

The first major step on their journey lifted the minds of these men into a provocative new dimension. For there, within the festive but routine setting of a wedding ceremony, a miracle took place (read ).

So why do you suppose that Jesus wants these men to be exposed to this situation of running out of wine?

Because people need to be convinced of the presence and power of God if they are to catch the vision of his kingdom on this earth.

Jesus wanted to impress on these men a full orb of spiritual realities so that they could make an intelligent decision about following him. The trip from the wilderness to Cana of Galilee provided at least a full day of discussion between Jesus and his starry-eyed novices.

Never underestimate the value of a few hours in an automobile, for example, with a young Christian full of questions.

Wedding were as common in their culture as it is in ours. So why do you think that Jesus took these six new disciples to a mundane wedding to sort of kick of their training?

Jesus receives this invite and then comes. He’s being flexible.

Flexibility in ministry is basic to success.

Changes and compromises on minor points help to develop a common bond of mutual trust between brothers and sisters.

If people we work with perceive that we are not sensitive to needs when they arise around us, they will not want to follow us or dedicate themselves to a common task.

If we are program-oriented rather than people-oriented, they will feel used and dispensable.

They will see themselves not as viable ministers with value to the body of Christ but merely as another project.

The way to convince them of the presence and power of God is to see what’s left in our passage?

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, p. 40). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

The way to convince them of the presence and power of God is to see what’s left in our passage?

Note that everything else remains in the background.

Who was the bridegroom? We do not know.

Who was the bride? We are not told.

In exactly what relation did Mary stand to the wedded pair: was she, perhaps, the aunt of bride or groom? Silence again.

Did Nathaniel serve as “best man” (friend of the bridegroom)?

Also on this score our curiosity receives no satisfaction whatever.

In the full light of day stands the Christ. All the rest is shadow. After each of these signs, faith resulted (2:11).

Jesus gave these signs to establish a certain portion of knowledge and training in the disciples’ minds.

He did not perform miracles indiscriminately.

Rather, he chose the situations carefully, interpreting and teaching his men the meaning of each.

Jesus walked by more sick people than He healed—not because he didn’t care,

but because He didn’t want to leave the wrong impression about what is ultimately important.

He wanted His disciples to understand that the deliverance of the heart and soul is far more vital than mere physical restoration.

The sign of water becoming wine revealed Jesus’ glory, influencing His disciples to deepen their belief in him ().

This was their first exposure to the supernatural, but there was no mistaking what took place and who was responsible.

Christian leaders should have ministry antennae fully extended, utilizing ordinary situations to allow God to intervene in such a way that He gets the glory alone!

Then people will yearn for more of the same, and they will grow in their commitment.

Disciples should eventually come to a point of being prepared to deny themselves anything

to be involved in the most exciting enterprise known in the universe,

which is Christ working through His body, the church!

Does your testimony of how God save you, testify to the amazing power of God in salvation?

To say that only God could’ve done it!

Sharing these things cultivates the hearts of people.

Invitation, walking in such a way to point to the glory, goodness, and power of Christ alone causes seeds (their flowering faith) to be unable to stop from growing!

Like blades of grass pushing their way through cracks in the sidewalk, the seeds of thought were maturing, steadily changing the lives of these men.

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, pp. 40–41). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

May we slow down and get out of the “fast lane” that cause us to rush by the needs.

Jesus turned the water into wine.

Much of the church has turned wine into water.

May the glory of Christ never be diluted in our daily lives, and thus the life we portray to the world becomes spiritually unattractive.

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, p. 41). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to John (Vol. 1, pp. 117–118). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, p. 39). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, pp. 38–39). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Hull, B. (2004). Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (20th Anniversary Edition, p. 38). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.