The Revelation of the Glory of God

Have you ever wondered why Jesus did miracles?

The account of Jesus’ first miracle gives us some insight to that question.  Jesus’ first public miracle is recorded in John chapter 2, the miracle of turning water into wine.  There are many things that could be said and learned from this account, but we will focus on only a couple.

First, an interesting contrast exists between Jesus’ first miraculous sign and the first miraculous sign of God against Egypt in the Old Testament in the time of Moses.  While Jesus turned water into wine, God through Moses turned water into blood. As the first sign of God’s Power over all the gods of Egypt, Moses struck the water of the Nile with his staff and the water turned to blood.

Both miracles demonstrate Power over nature and even over time.  But a sharp contrast exists in what they reveal about God.  Turning water into blood is a demonstration of God’s judgement against sin and those who persist in opposing Him.  Turning water into wine is a demonstration of God’s grace and mercy.

At the conclusion of the account of this first miracle of Jesus, we are told plainly the ultimate reason why God and Jesus performed miracles … to reveal His glory.

John 2:11 reads, “This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee.  He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him.” 

We see in the opening chapter of John, that this is consistent with the very reason why Jesus came to dwell among us, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to us.  Just as these two miracles demonstrate, that revelation can result in two very different outcomes.  The revelation of God in Jesus will result in judgement for those who reject Him as the One and Only Savior.  But it will result in grace, truth, mercy, love, salvation, and eternal life for those who put their faith in Him Alone.

Let us give glory to God today for His Power and His Grace that He has revealed to each of us.  “To God be the Glory, great things He has done!”