The best is yet to come! - September 20th, 2011

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2:9-11

History and Context:

The book of John is the fourth Gospel and it is believed to be the last written. John was one of the inner three of Jesus' disciples and referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". John seemed to have written his Gospel for those who had already known the story of Jesus. He focuses on the meaning of the events rather than the events themselves. There is also a strong focus on the words and teachings of Jesus, specifically on Jesus' claims about Himself. These claims are best known as the seven "I am" statements. John probably wrote this Gospel in Ephesus somewhere around 70 AD.

The Text:

This passage comes from the story of Jesus' first miracle. He was at a wedding in Cana and the hosts ran out of wine. Mary, the mother of Jesus, took them to Jesus and, despite Jesus saying it wasn't His time yet, told them to do whatever Jesus said. Jesus then told them to simply take the water jars and fill them up with water, then they took some to the master of the feast. The master of the feast responded by saying that this was the best wine yet to be served. This was unusual because the custom was to serve the good wine first when everyone was still sober, then as people had been drinking they would bring out the lesser quality wine. But Jesus gave the best wine at the end.

The Challenge:

Whenever you think you have had the best you possibly could have, God brings something better. The best is yet to come! The challenge today is to think back to all the times you have had with Jesus. Our tendency is often to romanticize the past, but think back to all the good times you've had with Jesus and know that the best is yet to come! He has something even better coming up for you. He has a closer relationship with Him planned for you. He has greater miracles planned for your life. He has an increased anointing and calling planned for your life. The best is yet to come! Here we talked about how God's plan is always a good one, but today I want to take that a step further, God's plan for your future is always better than your past. He is always moving you forward.

The Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you still have the best waiting for me. Help me to continue to walk in your path and follow after you. I am excited for what you have waiting for me in my future! I love you Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen!