John 2:11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
“Discipleship means discipline!” – C S Lewis.
There were three groups of people around Jesus when He walked on earth. The first and the larger throng were ‘spectators’ who came to see who Jesus was. The miracles of Jesus excited them and they enjoyed watching Him and listening to Him, yet they did not put their trust in Him. Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him (John 12:37). The second group was the envious Jewish authorities who were critical speculators. Even Herod wanted to see Jesus perform miracles. Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle (Luke 23:8-9). The mighty miracles did not transform the lives of the spectators and the speculators.
The disciples were the ‘ministry servicemen’. They not only witnessed the power of God flowing through Jesus they believed in Him. Jesus revealed His glory to them. The Hebrew word ‘glory’ means ‘heaviness’ or ‘weightiness’. Glory was the cloud of God’s might and magnificence. As they entered that cloud they could experience the beauty of His power and perfection.
A disciple does not just experience the glory of the God but the glory-cloud is the dwelling place of a disciple. The supernatural is not a one time experience to a disciple. The supernatural will become the natural life for a disciple. The glory of God is not a ‘wow’ moment in the worship service but an everyday, every moment experience. Like the glory-cloud that travelled with Moses and the Israelites in the desert, we His disciples must live under the glory-cloud during our tenure on earth.
Discipleship means discipline:
1. Spectators: Spectators did not allow the experience to sink into their spirit. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes (Matthew 13:15).
2. Speculators: Speculators twisted the experience that they witnessed with their own eyes. But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons” (Matthew 12:24). Speculators make foolish speculations about the glory and the miracle working power of God.
3. Servers: Servers in God’s kingdom are ‘Ministry Servicemen/women’. Like military servicemen who are employed by a country’s armed force, ministry servicemen/women are employees of the divine force. And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits (Mark 6:7). Only disciples qualify to become ministry servicemen/women.
The disciples are ‘ministry servicemen’ who live under the glory-cloud of God’s mighty miracle working power, majesty and magnificence.
John 1:14 We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Prayer: Jesus My Saviour, I don’t want just a peek into your glory but I want to dwell under the cloud of your glory, power and might. Make me a ministry serviceman/woman. Amen.
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