Only in John's Gospel is this miracle recorded. The other Gospels were written much earlier, but this first miracle, like every other portion of God's word, comes to us in its right place. It is in accord with John's Gospel because it is the foreshadowing of this new dispensation of the Spirit. Matthew, Mark and Luke were more on Jewish ground, when the Lord came to His own and His own received Him not; but in John almost the opening word is, "As many as did receive Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of god, even to them that believe on His name, who were born … of God." This is the first mention of the New Birth in Scripture.

In this miracle, opening, as it were, the new dispensation, we have in symbol its chief characteristics beautifully set forth.

First – It is the Third Day – resurrection day. Resurrection characterizes the dispensation. Our Lord rose from the dead on the third day, and the cross implies the end of man as before God. If God had not done with the Adam race-the natural man-Jesus need not have died. He could have come amongst us as a teacher, and thus brought the word of God to us. But so evil was our nature that, like the Jews, we never could have received Him as the declarer of God. This method had been tried throughout the world's history, and ended at the cross of Christ. Now is the circumcision truly. The end of the flesh has come. Man, to suit God, must be dead, buried, risen; which baptism figures. The Lord Jesus took the penalty of sin for us, and only asks of man to willingly accept death, burial, and resurrection-or a new life, giving up the old one and accepting the new by Jesus Christ the divine Man. So here in this first miracle of our Lord it is resurrection day-a new dispensation!

Second-It is a marriage, a union, and a union of God and man that is before us. Jesus the Lord is the Head of this new race. He is the first one in whom this union was ever effected. He is the first divine Man. And Mary "the mother of Jesus was there." It was in connection with her that the divine union was first miraculously wrought. Now, as ever, such a union can be effected only by the miraculous power of God. Every new-born soul is a miracle, and can only be wrought by almighty power. Hence it is, "born of god," "sons of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ! "-a miracle of grace! " By grace are ye saved, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."

Third-"And both Jesus and His disciples were called to the marriage"-Jesus the power, and the disciples to be the subjects. They were as yet not fully initiated into this new life, but were disciples, learners. Here in the beginning it was symbolically set before them, to be sure; probably after many days to be dwelt upon and meditated upon after He had returned to His Father; even as we now dwell upon it with rapture in our hearts and thanksgivings on our lips.

Fourth.-No wine, no joy, no gladness. So was man in his sin, separated from God, in darkness and ruin, helpless, lost, all resting under the judgment of God, dead to Him.

Fifth-Nothing but '' earthen vessels "! What can they do ? Nothing but hold the water, which is a figure of the word of God. That makes up for everything else. Receive "the Word," and that brings the joy of salvation. There is now not only plenty of wine, but the vessels are "full to the brim," and everybody is full of joy. "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures," "being born again by the word of God."

Sixth-'' Whatsoever He saith unto you do." Yes, do it. Obey Him, and all spiritual good follows. Miracles even follow obedience. " If any man will do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God or not." God will let him know by His Spirit. "In Him is life" (the new life), "and the life is the light of men." Men cannot see until they get this life. The Lord Jesus opens the eyes of the spiritually blind now, just as He did of the physically blind when He was down here among men-all the result of obedience, subjection to God. God must be God; man must be subject.

Seventh-"The best wine at the last"-the last administration, or dispensation, the best. It is even the eternal perfection of man with God. "Every man, when he is perfected, shall be as his Master" (Luke 6:40). Every true Christian shall be conformed to the image of his Master (Rom. 8:29). It is united to God in Christ, as our miracle sets forth in the most perfect and beautiful symbols.

Eighth-This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory, and His disciples believed on Him-set forth His glory to all creation. Here in the very beginning is the whole dispensation set out before us in figure, so that all men, once in the light of God, may see His purposes manifested from the very beginning of the Lord's public service. In it we see a magnificent prophecy of the glorious future for all the true saints of God. " Whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom 8:30). "What then shall we say to these things ? If God be for us, who can be against us ?" (lb. 31 ) J. S. P.