God Made, Or Man Made
Wednesday, April 23
John 19:29-30 (NKJV)
“Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
Devotion
Back in John chapter 2 we read the account of the wedding feast at Cana. Jesus, along with his mother and disciples were invited to that wedding. During the wedding celebration, his mother approached Jesus and said, “Son, they have no wine.” (John 2:3)
Jesus went on to turn the water into wine. There was no grape ever formed, no vine ever grown and no wine ever produced that was like that wine Jesus made. The best.
With this first miracle, Jesus gave his best, at a wedding feast.
Later on in scripture, Jesus and his disciples were gathered at another Feast- Passover.
Unlike the first feast which was marked by celebration, and new beginnings, this Feast was more solemn, subdued; yet a time of reflection, intimacy. A simple meal of unleavened bread and wine. But oh, this was no ordinary wine.
This wine was symbolic of the blood of our Savior. And his blood shed for the sins of all the world was found in this cup of the New and Everlasting Covenant. In this cup would be found a time for celebration and new beginnings; not just yet.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)
As Jesus and his disciples were partaking of the Passover, we too will partake of the Passover.
“In the volume of the book, it is written of Me.” (Hebrews 10:7)
As our Savior was hanging on the Cross, giving his very best for sinners, the best we could offer him in return was some sour wine. A spoiled, rancid mixture robbed of its essence. Lives lived void of celebration and new beginnings. Jesus in his most agonizing season, hanging on that Cross dying for our sins and the sins of many, graciously and humbly received that sour wine offered to him.
Jesus promised all those who would believe and trust in him for salvation and what he accomplished on Calvary, another feast was coming. The Wedding Supper of the Lamb when Jesus will drink of the New Wine with us. (Matthew 26:29)
Surely, not of an alcoholic nature, and certainly not a sour one. God will always give His very Best- His Son. The Best wine saved for last.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I confess that I do not fully understand how Jesus, fully God and fully man, could be sinless, yet take my sins upon him, dying in my place on the cross. I thank You that I need not be burdened with fully understanding the metaphysics of that moment on the cross. I thank You that my job is to believe it, to trust in it, and to participate in it by crucifying my own flesh. Help me to share with Jesus in a death like his, so that I can also share with Jesus in a resurrection like his. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Pastor Franklin pointed out that the treatment of Jesus up to his crucifixion was in accordance with prophecies about the Messiah. Today’s verse shows this to be true up to the moment of his death. Psalms 69:21 foretold, “They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” As you think about the New Covenant in Jesus today, read what the Lord told the prophet Jeremiah about it in Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Resources
- Watch this short clip, “God’s Plan For Salvation”, and celebrate the perfect plan and will of the Father concerning humanity’s salvation.
- Watch this message, “The Everlasting Covenant”. This sermon touches on the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ and will provide depth on how Jesus is the best God had to offer.