Trusting In Miracles: Setting Up A Lifetime Of Faith
In our lives, first impressions hold a significant weight. From the nerve-wracking moments of a job interview to the simple exchanges in our daily interactions, the initial moments can set the tone for what follows. A humorous reflection on this comes from a couple of job interview anecdotes. One candidate, when asked which person, living or dead, they would most like to meet, simply answered, “the living one.” Another shared his greatest accomplishment as writing a short novel — only to clarify he did it while on the clock at work. These stories humorously illustrate how quickly we form lasting impressions based on first encounters.
But what about our first impression of Jesus? In John 2:1-11, we are introduced to Jesus through his first recorded miracle at the wedding at Cana, turning water into wine. This act is not just a display of divine power but a profound statement about the nature of Jesus’ ministry and his relationship with us. It prompts us to ask, why was Jesus’ first miracle so significant, and what does it tell us about the role of miracles in our faith?
Jesus is Setting Us up for a Lifetime of Trust
Miracles in the Bible are signs of God’s power and authority, transcending the natural laws of the world. They serve a dual purpose: showcasing divine power and intimately connecting God with His creation through Jesus. The miracles of Jesus, such as restoring sight, healing the lame, and raising the dead, are acts of renewal. They are vivid demonstrations of God’s intention to renew and continue His creation, a theme deeply embedded in the narrative of Jesus’ ministry.
One of the most poignant aspects of this passage is found in verse 11, where it is noted that the disciples “believed in him.” A closer look at the original Greek text reveals that a more accurate translation would be “believed into him,” suggesting a depth of trust and commitment that goes beyond mere belief. It’s about staking our lives on Jesus, entrusting Him with our deepest fears, highest hopes, and our very existence.
A Personal and Collective Journey of Trust
This trust in Jesus is not rooted in the supernatural nature of his miracles but in what those miracles signify: a desire to be personally involved in the renewal of His creation. It’s a call to see beyond the extraordinary and find the divine presence in the ongoing work of creation and renewal in our lives. Every miracle we experience, whether it’s a breathtaking sunset or an answered prayer, is a reminder of this continuous act of divine love and renewal.
As a community of faith, reflecting on the miracles in our lives encourages us to renew our trust in God. It challenges us to consider how these experiences have contributed to our spiritual journey and how they inspire us to live out our faith more fully. It’s an invitation to recognize the miracles around us, not just as events of the past but as present opportunities to deepen our relationship with God.
Embracing a Lifetime of Trust
Through His miracles, Jesus has laid the foundation for a lifetime of trust in Him. It’s a trust that calls us to stake our lives on the truth of His word and the certainty of His love. As we navigate the challenges and joys of life, let us hold fast to the first impression of Jesus that John’s Gospel offers us: a Savior ready to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, inviting us to a life of faith and trust in Him.
In embracing this trust, we are not just passive observers but active participants in the ongoing story of God’s renewal in the world. Let us, therefore, show Jesus that we are willing to stake our lives on Him, just as He did for us. In doing so, we affirm our commitment to a lifetime of faith, built on the solid foundation of trust in His miraculous work in our lives and in the world.