Today’s lesson is based on Dr. Bill’s sermon from Sunday. And today’s scripture is from 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Saving the Best for Last
We all love a good transformation story—whether it’s an underdog sports team making an epic comeback, a struggling business turning things around, or even just a home renovation show where a worn-down house becomes something beautiful. There’s something about transformation that grabs our attention.
That’s part of what makes Jesus’ first recorded miracle so compelling. In John 2, we see Him take something ordinary—water—and transform it into something extraordinary—fine wine. But there’s more to this moment than just an impressive display of power. It’s a glimpse into how God works in our lives, often in ways we don’t expect.
An Unexpected Miracle
The setting is a wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee. In that culture, weddings weren’t just an afternoon event with a reception—they were multi-day celebrations, and hospitality was everything. To run out of wine wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was a major embarrassment for the couple and their families.
Mary, Jesus’ mother, notices the problem and brings it to Him. At first, Jesus seems hesitant—“My time has not yet come,” He says. But then, despite that statement, He acts. He tells the servants to fill six large stone jars with water, and by the time they serve it, the water has become the finest wine. The crisis is averted, and the celebration continues.
At first glance, this might seem like a small, almost trivial, miracle. But it points to something much bigger: the nature of Jesus’ mission and the way He transforms not just water, but lives.
More Than Just Wine
One of the fascinating things about this story is that Jesus didn’t have to do anything. The need wasn’t life-threatening. No one was sick, blind, or paralyzed. And yet, He stepped in—perhaps at the urging of His mother—to meet a simple, human need.
It’s a reminder that God cares about both the big and small moments in our lives. We sometimes assume that God is only interested in major crises—health scares, financial ruin, spiritual struggles. But this miracle suggests otherwise. If Jesus was willing to save a newlywed couple from embarrassment, how much more does He care about the everyday struggles we face?
Have you ever experienced a time when God stepped into your life in an unexpected way?
God’s Timing and Transformation
There’s also a tension in this story. Jesus initially says, “My time has not yet come,” but then performs the miracle anyway. It’s a reminder that God’s timing doesn’t always align with ours. We may want things to happen now, but He sees the bigger picture.
At the same time, we see that when Jesus does act, transformation happens. Water becomes wine. Sinners become saints. The broken are made whole. And—perhaps most encouragingly—He saves the best for last.
The master of ceremonies at the wedding is amazed. Typically, the best wine was served first, and the cheaper wine came out later. But here, the opposite happens. This detail speaks to something powerful about God’s character: He is always leading us toward something greater.
We often assume our best days are behind us. Maybe we feel like we’ve already peaked in our careers, in our relationships, in our faith. But God is in the business of saving the best for last.
Looking Ahead
God isn’t finished with us. He is still at work, and He is still in the business of transformation. The question is—are we willing to trust Him with the process?
And here are a few questions for the group:
- Do you agree that God’s timing is not always our timing? If so, why do you believe we sometimes get out in front of God…or fall behind?
- Where in your life do you need to trust that God is still working—that He’s not done with you yet?
- How have you seen God transform something ordinary in your own life?
- In what areas of your life do you struggle to believe that “the best is yet to come”?
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