Welcome to Redeem the Commute. I’m Ryan, your host for this daily challenge. It’s Thursday, the day we try to apply and live out what we’ve learned this week from the Bible. This week we’ve been studying the story of Jesus turning water into wine. He didn’t just make any wine – he made really good wine that made the head waiter burst out with excitement that the family must have saved the best wine for last.
Little did he know, he was talking about wine Jesus had miraculously produced.
In the process of finding this wine better than expected, we discover Christ is more than we expected!
If you’ve submitted your life to follow Jesus, you may sometimes feel like things are moving quickly. You may be comfortable with the way things are, and think you have an excellent plan for your life. You may not want to question or challenge certain parts of your life. You may say you’re open to Jesus, but not in that one part of life, or not now!
But do not fear. It’s the most common command in the Bible, “do not fear.”
God is calling us to a new stage in life too. To be led by the same Christ who could turn water to wine, wherever he leads us. He can turn a regular wedding party, into one with the very best wine, just before it was going to turn disastrous!
Jesus’ miracle showed us his kingdom would be a great wedding fest, the very best, and that even those destined for pain and embarrassment in this life would be rescued.
His other miracles did the same – his healings showed his kingdom to be a world without pain and disability.
His miracles show us glimpses of another world – the kingdom of God. This is why they aren’t constant, we don’t’ see miracles all day every day. They’re just giving us a taste of life with God, to prepare us for the real thing in his kingdom.
But stay alert for the miraculous all the same. What in your life do you find miraculous? Perhaps it’s the birth of a child, healing from sickness, or the reconciliation of family members.
How do these show God’s kingdom? The birth of a child shows us we’re all reborn into God’s kingdom. The healing shows us that sickness isn’t eternal. Reconciliation shows us that conflict ends in God’s loving presence.
Challenge: Ask Jesus to make you aware of his miraculous presence and work in your life and in the world around you. Purposely look for Jesus’ work around you each day this week, and figure out what it tells you about God’s kingdom, and your life practicing for the kingdom. Thank God for a glimpse of his kingdom, and that his kingdom will be so much greater.