Cana of Galilee

u This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and ma?iifested forth His glory, and His disciples believed on Him.’’ — John ii. u.

Strange place for the first manifestation of the Son of Man! He had conquered the tempter in the solitudes of the wilderness, the place where one should have least expected that the tempter would be found, and now He comes to seek him in that world which is supposed to be his natural sphere. Why did He not remain in that wilderness which He had made beautiful? Why did He not rest in the solitudes of that scene which He had made a scene of unruffled contemplation? It was because the design of conquering temptation is to make us fit for the world. We do not conquer in order that we may rest, we conquer in order that we may work. We are brought up into the solitudes, not that we may avoid the world, but that we may piepare for the world. We are made to feel our loneliness only that we may be trained for not being alone. We get our glory that we may manifest our glory. Our glory is the choice of Christ over the kingdoms of the world, and we can only make it in the secret places of the soul; but when we have made it, the kingdoms of the world become our sphere. The Son of Man refused to turn the stones into bread, but that refusal gave Him a right to turn the water into wine. He was fit for the world because He had shown Himself to be unworldly.

My soul, often hast thou asked thyself if it is right for thee to frequent the common haunts of men; if it would not be better for thee to get away from the scenes and pursuits of the madding crowd. Nay, but, my soul, who art thou that askest? Everything depends on the answer to that question. What has been thy past experience? Has it been frivolous or has it been earnest? Has thy life been hitherto knit to the things that are perishable? Then thou art not fit to live amongst these things: they are too strong for thee, they will drag thee down to their own level. But hast thou passed through the solitudes of the wilderness? Hast thou in the strength of the Son of Man made choice already of the strait gate and the narrow way? Hast thou in the silence of the heart preferred the path of duty to the way of pleasure, and the rule of principle to the reign of passion? Then thou hast received a key to open all the doors of life; thou hast liberty to do all things if Christ has strengthened thee. The world has become thine by reason of thine unworldliness. Thou hast received more freedom of spiritual diet than is allowed to the worldly mind. Thou canst bear more things without hurt than the worldling can. Thou canst frequent more scenes without detriment than the worldling dare. Cana of Galilee shall be open to thy steps. All the relationships of life shall be endeared to thee. All the pleasures of life shall be sweetened to thee. All the pursuits of life shall be hallowed to thee. All the burdens of life shall be ennobled to thee. The Light that is in thee is a light to lighten the Gentiles as well as the glory of God’s people Israel; for he that has prevailed with God has power also over man.