1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Helen Mitry

I love weddings – and we’ve had a fair few weddings from Fairfield Evening church! I love dressing up, I love having a “boogie on the dancefloor,” and I love the food.

Jesus, in today’s passage, was also at a wedding. So far, in chapter 1 of John’s Gospel, we have seen Jesus start his ministry by gathering his first disciples. Maybe this wedding was a chance for Jesus to relax, have fun and celebrate in festivities with his newly made friends? Wrong! Tomorrow we’re going to see that it was to reveal Jesus’ glory (v 11).

Today, what we see is that the wedding went downhill fast, because the wine ran out. In those days, letting the wine run out at a wedding was a major social blunder. It would be like the Crystal Palace reception centre at Canley Heights running out of mud crab at a wedding reception before all the tables are served. It would bring shame on the groom’s family, because it implied that they had failed to provide for their guests. In a small town like Cana, this would be remembered and spoken about in the community for many years.

Jesus’ mother Mary was also at the wedding, and she seemed to think that this would be the perfect opportunity to get Jesus’ ministry started. But Jesus responds by saying, “Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come” (v 4, NIV). I found Jesus’ response a bit surprising and not the way you would speak to your mother. My Bible footnote says that the term “Woman” wasn’t one of disrespect. In any case, this is not just a relationship between mother and son, but also between an ordinary woman and the Messiah, and Mary needed to know that it was not yet time for Jesus to reveal his glory fully to the world. That time would come at the cross.

Mary then says to the servants at the wedding, “Do whatever he tells you.” This is such a great example for us. She accepts that Jesus has a grand plan and that he will do it in his own timing. But she also directs people to listen to Jesus and do whatever he says.

Do we expect Jesus to run on our time and our plans, or on his? Let’s trust that whatever he has in store for us is for his glory and for our good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Helen is a member of our Fairfield Evening church.

43 The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”

48 “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

50 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Charis Ould

This passage follows on from Jesus calling the first disciples. He continues on to Galilee, and there he finds Philip, and tells him to follow him. This passage reminds me that it is God who brings people to himself. We could never find Jesus on our own, but it is only through Jesus seeking us out and reconciling us to him that we can come to him.

After Jesus finds Philip, Philip then goes and finds Nathanael. He encourages Nathanael that Jesus is the one they have been waiting for, the one who will fulfil all God’s promises through the Old Testament of a saviour, prophet and king. For some strange geographical reason, Nathanael is sceptical – “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” I love Philip’s response: “Come and see.”

So Nathanael takes up Philip’s invitation to come and meet Jesus, but before Nathanael can even reach him, Jesus already knows exactly who he is. He recognises that Nathanael has followed the Israelite law, and is waiting for the one the prophets foretold. That is why Nathanael recognises that Jesus is the Son of God and king of Israel. I’m encouraged that Jesus knows us even before we come to him! He can see our hearts and our intentions. And if we follow him, he promises that we will see even greater things than these.

In the same way that Philip went to find Nathanael after Jesus had found him, I am reminded that I have been found by Jesus and should find others! Christmas is such a wonderful opportunity to do that. Last year at our carols we sang a great song called “O Come and See,” by Nikki Chiswell. I think it reflects this well. Christmas isn’t just about Santa, or food, or presents; it’s about what God has done by sending Jesus.

We have been found by Jesus, so let’s find others and invite them to come and see!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charis is a member of our Bossley Park Morning church.

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

38 Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked.

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39 “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).

42 Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ken Ip

The phrase “Lamb of God” might not mean much to the average person on the street today, but for first-century Jewish men like Andrew and Peter, it would have meant everything. It was a phrase loaded with memories and hopes they had carried since childhood.

When they heard “Lamb of God,” their minds would have gone straight to the Passover, the moment when God had rescued their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. Every year they remembered how a spotless lamb was sacrificed so their people could be protected and set free. So when John the Baptist points to Jesus and says, “Look, the Lamb of God,” it would have stirred something deep inside them.

No wonder they were excited. They had been waiting their whole lives for this Messiah, the one who would save their people and make things right. And now suddenly he’s here!

Jesus then turns to them and simply says, “Come and see.”

It's perfect, in that it sums up the whole message of the gospel. God doesn’t push, demand, or make us jump through hoops. He invites us to come to him. He says, “Come and see what I’ve done for you.”

It reminds me that the gospel really is an invitation. Jesus doesn’t tell us to "earn your way to God", or “prove your worth”. Instead, He says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” That’s so different from all other religions, which focus on what we must do to reach God with rules, rituals, self-improvement, and endless effort.

Today, let's come to Jesus and spend some time reflecting and being thankful for what he has done for us on the cross. And like Andrew, when we have found something wonderful and precious, we will naturally want to share it: “Come and see what I have found!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. 33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ness Wong

Imagine meeting, for the very first time, the person that you’ve been raving about for years. You were just doing your thing and suddenly, you see this amazing person coming towards you. How would you react?

In today’s passage, I sensed something of John’s surprise and shock when he first met Jesus. John had been telling the Jewish leaders that he was not the ‘the One’ the people of God were waiting for, he was simply telling everyone about ‘the One’ who was much greater than himself (verse 30, see also verses 19-23). Then finally, John sees Jesus in the flesh and exclaims, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (verse 29). John is basically saying, ‘See, everyone, this is the One I have been telling you about. It was never about me, it’s all about Him! I even saw the Holy Spirit come down upon Him! He is the One whom God has sent and the Spirit proves this!’ (verses 30-34).

I felt challenged by John’s response to Jesus on two levels. First, within my own heart, do I eagerly anticipate Jesus’ return? Or have I sunk into complacency and lost this zeal? And secondly, thinking about others, do I readily tell people about Christ and how He came to take away our sins? Do I also let people know that He is coming back again?

John knew that Jesus was coming and he was ready to meet Him. Jesus found him faithfully telling others about Him just as God had sent him to do. Especially as we approach Christmas, I need to repent of my lukewarm heart and ask God to make me ready to share the true reason for season: the hope that I have in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:15).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ness is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know. 27 He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ken Wong

I recently saw a post-match interview for a football game. Without hesitation, the player being interviewed jumped in and said, “I’d like to thank my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ…”. I must admit, it felt a little cringy to me when I first saw it. But the more I think about it, the more I realise there’s something I need to learn from him. Here is a believer who is eager to turn the spotlight to Jesus whenever he has the opportunity.

When I read today’s passage about John the Baptist, I see the same attitude on display. The Pharisees gave John multiple opportunities to turn the spotlight on himself. Yesterday we heard how they asked him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” (v 22). He could have said “Yes, I am the great prophet foretold in the Old Testament.” But by quoting Isaiah 40, he simply calls himself “a voice in the desert.” The important one is not John, but the one he is paving the way for: “the Lord”!

When John is quizzed again in v 25, he again replies by pointing to Jesus. Even though Jesus came after John, so John could have claimed superiority, he emphasises that the one coming is so glorious that John is not even worthy to untie his sandals.

I am challenged by John’s humility and his clear understanding of Christ’s glory. In those moments in life when the spotlight is placed on me, John challenges me to use my voice (and actions) to turn that light onto Christ, who deserves all the honour and praise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken in a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

19 And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”

21 “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Keith Hengpoonthana

The passage began with a key question: Who was John the Baptist?

So, I thought I would ask my 3 daughters who they think John the Baptist was.

• My 3-year-old: “He is a boy and he plays drums.”

• My 8-year-old: “He is Jesus’s cousin who baptises people.”

• My 12-year-old: “Isn’t he that dude who eats honey and baptises people and also baptised Jesus when the Spirit came down from heaven in the shape of a dove on him?”

The gospel accounts tell us of a man who appeared in the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptising people in the Jordan river. People travelled to John from all over Judea and Jerusalem in the hope that he was the promised Messiah. But the Jewish leaders were wary and suspicious at the attention the people were giving him, which is why they asked him the question: “Who are you?”

You might sometimes ask yourself, “Who am I?” Today, there are many movies, songs and books that pressure you to “find your identity, your purpose, your true self,” and they promise you’ll find it by looking deep inside yourself. Often, we just end up worrying about how others might perceive us.

I wish I was more like John. He didn’t care what other people thought of him. And he knew his true purpose – not because he looked inside himself, but because he knew God’s promises in the Old Testament. He simply pointed people to Jesus as the Messiah, God’s chosen saviour king. He boldly announces the good news with such conviction that he makes the way “straight” for people to recognise Jesus (v 23). It’s like winding mountain paths are flattened and straightened out, so that it’s as easy as possible for people to see and believe.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:11, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” I thought to myself: “Yeah, there’s no way I can compare with John’s credentials or his zeal for evangelism.” But hold up … Jesus continues by saying, “yet, whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” John was such a bold witness, but he died before seeing the completion of the work of Christ. We know even more clearly than John of God’s plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We have even more reason to share the good news than John!

What about you: Who would people say you are? I’ve always liked the chorus to the song “Nobody” by Casting Crowns:

“'Cause I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody 
all about Somebody who saved my soul.
Ever since You rescued me You gave my heart a song to sing.
I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus.”

Pray that those words would describe your life and purpose too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keith is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”

16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Grace Ip

I recently had a conversation about God with a non-Christian colleague. He said he believed in God, but thought he was distant and far above our everyday lives. In some ways, I can understand why he might feel that way. After all, why would a powerful and Holy God want anything to do with us humans?

John tells us, in verse 14, that “the Word became flesh”, and also that he “dwelt among us”.

I recently learned at church that the word “dwelling” in the original language means “tabernacled”. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was a temporary place of worship, a tent where God’s presence lived among His people. However, the tabernacle wasn’t a place that you could just visit God whenever you liked – and you certainly couldn’t walk into the presence of God in the most holy place. That was only allowed once a year and only by the High Priest.

Since learning this, I have found verse 14 even more mind-blowing. The God who is more glorious than the whole universe chose to become fully human so He could dwell among us! In other words, God came and set up His tent in our world – not with barriers to keep people away, but as a flesh-and-blood man who people could talk to and touch and be with. Considering the sacredness surrounding the presence of God, it still amazes me that God chose to live among ordinary people as Jesus – entering fully into the human experience, feeling what we feel and walking where we walk. This “incarnation” shows that God is not distant but a loving God who desires a relationship with us and wants us to truly know him. We see this again in verse 18 when John reminds us that through Jesus, we truly see and know God. In Jesus, we can understand God’s character, His compassion, His patience, His mercy, His overflowing and unending grace. And likewise, we know we have a Saviour who understands our weaknesses, struggles and sufferings.

I am deeply grateful that God entered our broken world to reveal His love and bring us back to Him. I am also comforted in knowing that God is not distant, and He intimately understands our thoughts, struggles and sufferings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

6 There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. 8 He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9 The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Alan Vongsavanh

Today’s passage introduces us to John the Baptist, who was chosen by God to proclaim the coming of Jesus, the saviour of the world. John was sent by God to witness to Jesus and testify that Jesus is the Light of the world, so that those who hear might believe in Jesus and be saved. This makes me think about those who God brought into our lives to “show” us Jesus. You might remember the first person who spoke to you about the gospel, or others on your journey who have spoken to you about Jesus. They were not the Light, but God used them to testify to the Light so that we might believe. Thank God for them in your prayer time today.

The passage then goes on to talk about how the world did not recognise the Light. When we read the Gospels and hear about the true Jesus, and we see things that he did and said that were confronting or shocking, it’s a reminder that the real Jesus doesn’t conform to what we would naturally recognise or expect. Many people who haven’t read the Bible have wrong ideas or assumptions about Jesus, because the world prefers a version of Jesus that is more comfortable and doesn’t demand anything of me. But the Jesus of the Bible is the Jesus we need to accept.

When I read the final verse – that we become children of God not by human means but born of God – it fills me with gratitude. It reminds me that we don't have to come from the right family or background to belong to the family of God, it’s an amazing gift that God gives us simply through receiving the one true Light, Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

The Christmas crazy season is upon us. At least, that’s how I feel. Once you hit December, the rush has begun: there are presents to buy, the diary is filling up, the shops are crazy, everyone is stressed, there’s not enough time. I get anxious just thinking about it.

That’s why I love that we are starting the prologue of John’s Gospel today. This is so necessary for keeping things in perspective, isn’t it? “In the beginning was the Word”: the Word of God, who is himself fully God and was with God, the perfect self-expression of God; the Son of God, eternally begotten from the Father, in a perfect relationship of love and joy with the Father, in the Spirit, from all eternity. Outside of our crazy and stressful world, outside of time and creation itself, there was, is, and will be the light, life and love of God.

The light, life and love of God are eternal constants, never changing, unaffected by our crazy seasons, sustaining all things – and with a plan to rescue us from all craziness, a plan that we can rely on with absolute confidence.

Because the Word has not remained silent. The Light has shone into our darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (v 5). That light, life and love shone at the beginning of time, when God created everything through his Word. And that light, life and love of God blazed into our darkness when the Lord Jesus Christ was born – when the Son of God took on a human nature and was born as a man.

In a couple of days, we will read about how the Word of God entered the hustle and bustle and stress and mess of the world we live in. That first Christmas season was the craziest – when the Word became flesh? (v 14) That’s really crazy, in the best possible way.

But for today, allow the unchanging reality of the light, life and love of God bring you peace and reassurance as you face the Christmas season. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). If he has shone God’s light into the darkness of your life – if you have put your trust in Jesus for your salvation – then know that the darkness can never overcome that light. You can rely on him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
for you have stumbled by your iniquity.
2 Bring your confessions
and return to the LORD.
Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity
and receive us graciously,
that we may present
the fruit of our lips.
3 Assyria will not save us,
nor will we ride on horses.
We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’
to the work of our own hands.

For in You the fatherless find compassion.”

4 I will heal their apostasy;
I will freely love them,
for My anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like the lily
and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.
6 His shoots will sprout,
and his splendor will be like the olive tree,
his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.
7 They will return and dwell in his shade;
they will grow grain and blossom like the vine.
His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 O Ephraim, what have I to do
anymore with idols?
It is I who answer and watch over him.
I am like a flourishing cypress;
your fruit comes from Me.

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning, let him know them.
For the ways of the LORD are right,
and the righteous walk in them
but the rebellious stumble in them.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

Today we finish the book of Hosea. In this final chapter, we see that God’s great desire is for people to return to him. He wants people to come back to him and say, “Please God, forgive me”. Our confidence is that we know that God will always answer that prayer because Christ Jesus died to wash us clean and God is faithful.

Hosea finishes with a question for us to reflect on: “Who is wise?” Are we wise enough to understand what Hosea has been teaching us? The wise person will recognise their sin and rebellion. They will recognise God’s just judgement on sin. They won’t downplay it or ignore it. The wise person will recognise the idols they have worshipped instead of God and they will repent of their idolatry. The wise person will return to the Lord God and ask for forgiveness. The wise person will be forgiven through Christ Jesus.

The warning in the last verse is also that the rebellious will stumble. The only right path in life is to follow the way of the Lord, every other path ends in destruction. It’s a heavy warning, but it’s the warning we need to hear. It’s a warning that we also need to share with others.

If you have not yet asked God to forgive you through Jesus, please do that now.

If you have already done that, then pray for someone you know who needs to turn to Christ. Pray that God would help you to speak the truth to them, and pray that God would help them be wise to the reality of God’s judgement on their sin, but also to the wonderful assurance and joy of God’s love freely given to us in Christ Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is our Senior Assistant Minister.