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GOSPEL: John 2:1-11 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, And there were set there six water pots of wine, after the
and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his manner of the purifying of the Jews.
disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When John ii.6.
the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They
have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what The six water-pots of stone which the Jews performed
concern is that to you and me? My hour has not yet their ritual washing are the books of the Old Testament, which
come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever through Law and Commandments cleansed the Jewish people
he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water only outwardly. Therefore the Evangelist says that the pots
jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding stood there after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, as if
twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars he would say: it means purification through works without faith,
with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He which never purifies the heart, but makes it impure still. .
said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the
chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted To turn water into wine to make lovely his
the water that had become wine, and did not know where understanding of the Law, which is brought about as follows:
it came from (though the servants who had drawn the Before the Gospel comes every man understands the Law as
water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and meaning, that it demands works, and that we are to fulfill it with
said to him, Everyone serves the good wine first, and then our works. From such understanding come, either stubborn and
the inferior wine after the guest have become drunk. But arrogant hypocrites, harder than any pot of stone can be, or
you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, anxious and uneasy consciences. But the Gospel transfigures
the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his the Law in that it demands more than we can do, needing a man
glory, and his disciples followed him. very different from us to fulfill it. That is, it calls for Christ,
driving and pointing towards Him, that through His grace we
may first by faith be made like Him and other Christians, and
then really do good works. So the gracious Gospel comes and
makes the water wine. Yes, it is now a precious thing, and has a
lovely taste, for the Law is at once so deep and lofty, so holy,
true and good, that it is praised and loved for evermore because
it demands such great things. Thus, that is become sweet and
easy which was previously hard and difficult, yes even
impossible, for through the Spirit it is now alive within the
heart.
Sermon on the second Sunday after W.A. 17. II. 69 f.
Epiphany, 1525.

Taken from the book:


Day by Day We Magnify Thee by Martin Luther
Page 61
FROM LUTHER’S PRAYERS: SECOND SUNDAY
Prayer on the Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer
AFTER EPIPHANY
Help your kingdom to begin and grow is us and
daily to further and extend itself. Let not deceptive
wickedness and inactivity subdue us in your service.
Keep us from backsliding. Give us a firm resolve and
ability not merely to being devout but to continue boldly
and to win, as the psalmist says: Lighten my eyes, lest I
sleep the sleep of death; but my enemies nay, I have
prevailed against him. Amen.

FROM LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM:


The Lord’s Prayer:
The Second Petition

Your kingdom come.

What is this?
In fact, God’s kingdom comes on its own without our prayer,
but we ask in this prayer that it may also come to us.

How does this come about?


Whenever our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that
through the Holy Spirit’s grace we believe God’s Holy Word
and live godly lives here in time and hereafter in eternity

Lord God, you showed your glory and lead many to


faith by the works of your Son. As he brought gladness
and healing to his people, grant us these same gifts and
lead us also to perfect faith in him, Jesus Christ our
Lord.

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