The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 243

h!R Divine course, such as that of Peter, or that of his onemies, he invariably rebuked it. If nnything could vary his course, it would bo parent,11 and filial affection; hut oven this had to giv~ :way--it was ignored .. His Divine sovereignty shone brilliantly under nil human cond1t1ons; he acted as God m the nnture of man. In this instar.co he gives n renson for his conduct, which he was not called upon always to do: "Mine hour is not yet come." '!'here is not a great difference between his "hour" and that of his mother; the greatest di!Tcrence is moral, and it was immediately cbeckccl-it vanished before the sovereignty of Divine rectitude an<l the glory of Divine propriety. It did not a[ect his mother's love and faith; and if she could speak to those who superstitiously seek her intercession, she would yoint them to this incident, and sny now as then," Whatsoever be saith unto you, do it.' She at once comprehended and began to preach the revealed and absolute independency of his conrluct, the sovereignty of his position. (3) His absolute control over the elements of matter. The water was mnde wine. (a) This was done by his mere will. Nothing was said, nothing was done. The elements were pliant to his will. It was done with the greatest ease. (b) It was done openly, before the disciples and the crowd. (c) It was done immediately. There was 110 break in the festive joy. No disappointment on account of failure; no anxiety on account of delay. What took him months to do in the ordinary course of thing~, he did now in a moment; and the water, as if competing with other elements in raising a com- memorative monument to the presence of its Lord, made haste to obey, and "blushed'' its homage. (a) It was done perfectly. 'Jhe wine was pronounced "good," not extra- ordinary. God in miracles is not superior to God in nature. God's works, however performed, are Divine and uniform, and all his gifts are good. Man disimproves thingR, -turns the water iuto blood. Christ improves everything-the water is made winP. Jesus reverses the human order. The good wine is kept last. This is the Divine order. In all the earthly life of Jesus it was so, and eternity will not alter this order. In the enjoyment of heaven the language of blissful experience will ever be, "Thou hast kept the good wine," etc. (4) The singular benevolence of his character. This was a miracle of kindness, as all his were. This was the natural key-note of bis life and of his nature. Whenever his power rode forth in majesty, kindness was ever in its chariot, and the ocean of his benevolence was ever tremulous to the least breath of want; there was no need of a storm. Some might think that more wine was extravagance; but Jesus thought and felt diITerently. He knew how any lack in this direction would hurt th<.i virgin feelings of a newly wedded couple. So that he is tenderly and delicately kind. The quality of the wine is good, and the quantity is kingiy-probahly from suty to a hundred gallons. "Too much," says some one. Yes, too much for a peasant, but not for a king. lie gave for himself and friends. None shall suffer for being kind to him, but he will repay with Divine interest. There was enough for the guests and enough to spare, as his wedding-gift to the young pair to commence lifu with. "Fill to the brim." All his vessels are filled to the brim, and the cup of blessings which he sends round Lis people is not merely brimful, but" runneth over." Just like liimself. (5) His gracious power and readiness to satisfy the natural expectations offaith. To supply the lack of wine at the feast was not the chief reason of the miracle. This was only secondary. There was a higher reason, and a more spiritual significance. It was p~rforme<l in answer to the natural expectations of faith. There was another newly wed,\ed couple in the feast of Cana-Jesus and his disciples. They had believed on him without a miracle, but expected oue at no distant date. Faith accepted him on trust. .At the proper time he fully pays in bard cash, and his power and readiness to satisfy the lawful domands of faith shone forth with Divine brilliancy; and here is the climax of his glory in this miracle. Genuine faith shall never cry to him, "Show me thy glory," in vain. 3. This was only the beginning oj the manifestation of his glory. The beginning of miracles; hence the beginning of his self-manifestation. (1) The beginning of the mani- festation of his glory u:as perfect. There is 11, special interest connected with the first performances of men of genius, and in,·nriably they are inferior to their maturer efforts. But this first miracle of Jesus is as perfect in execution as his last; he never improved. It is not the first attempt of a pupil, but the first demonstration of a master. The first miracle of the Son of God was ns perfect of its kind as his Inst. (2) The mariifeslation of his glory was gradual. It was so then, and is so still. Faith COLtld not stand the full blaze of his glory; it would dazzle rather than nurse it. We cannot staud the full glare  ]()6 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [on. u. 1-25,