Read John 2:1-11
At a wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus’ mother informed Him that the wine had run out. So, Jesus instructed the servants to fill water in the six jars that were used for Jewish rights of purification. After they filled the jars with water, Jesus asked them to take some to the master of the feast. The master of the feast tasted the water turned to wine. In verse 10 we read, that the master of the feast said to the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. You have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus was foreshadowing the power of His blood, represented through the wine, as a means of internal purification.
So, it is important to understand that the jars of water represented the need for cleansing, or “rites of purification.” This type of cleansing was limited to external purification. However, Jesus was foreshadowing the power of His blood. His shed blood represented through the wine, was the means of internal purification. Most importantly, Jesus was representing Himself as the perfect sacrificial lamb that makes us internally and eternally clean. Through His shed blood and His finished work on the cross he makes us right with God. This first miracle of Jesus showed him pointing to the cross, releasing us from the bondage of external performance. He was introducing a new freedom that can only be found in Him.
Our righteousness is found through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:21-22 says, “But now the righteousness of God has become manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
We have a new life in Christ. In Ephesians 4:24 We are told to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Therefore, we take hold of the freedom that Jesus purchased for us, we accept His work done to make us right with God, and we change the old ways that we practiced before. We think and act differently. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.”
Freedom from the slavery of negative patterns in this life can also be found through Christ’s strength.
In conclusion, just as everlasting spiritual freedom can be found in Jesus, freedom from the slavery of negative patterns in this life can also be found through His strength. This can certainly be the case in your weight loss journey as you exchange old ways of thinking and behaving for new ways of life that can become transformative. Just as Jesus introduced new wine at the wedding in Cana to intercept old ways of thinking and behaving, His power and provision are available in the present to experience new life in Him for eternity and new life for the journey through weight loss and other challenges of life. It’s all about discovering and embracing A New Freedom.
Questions:
How am I living my life in a way that reflects my belief in the freedom I have in Christ?
How you think will determine the direction you take and who you become. In all areas of your life, weight loss included, are your thoughts negative or positive? If your thoughts are negative, you will become defeated and discouraged, and you will be prone to giving up. If your thoughts are positive, you will be encouraged, hopeful and more likely to succeed. Choose today to exist in the freedom of a positive life.
For Clients:
Schedule time each week on Thursdays at 7:15 pm for a coaching call with Dr Jeff and Dr Cindy Tanzar. You may also choose to listen to previous coaching calls as a means of gaining encouragement and equipping for weight loss.
Song: