Jesus poured out His life’s blood on the cross, and then poured His love and joy into our hearts through the Spirit, "... God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5 NIV). And in this way, He transforms us from the inside out. We are no longer those who look at what is seen, but instead, we fix our eyes on Jesus, drink the cup of the New Covenant, and experience the love, comfort, and joy of Jesus in all circumstances. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
"wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts." Psalm 104:15 (NIV)
When we drink of the cup of the New Covenant, our hearts are greatly gladdened and relieved, making our faces shine with joy. As we feast on the bread that is Jesus' broken body, our hearts are sustained and strengthened by grace.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
Believers are not those who turn to alcohol, overeating, sex, media, etc. to intoxicate and fill us; rather, we are filled with the Spirit.
"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentlenesses, and self-control…" Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
As we drink of the cup of the New Covenant, the blood of forgiveness and reconciliation, we are filled with the Spirit, and it will be evident as we bear the fruit of the Spirit. We don’t have to try to be loving and kind, but rather, as we abide in Christ, looking always at the cross, we will bear that fruits of His Spirit. The Spirit of God supernaturally produces love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control in us.
Jesus’ transforming water into wine at the wedding in Cana was a sign pointing to the cross where Jesus would "reveal His glory" to the fullest through His death and resurrection. As His bride, the church, we want to behold Jesus’ glory revealed on the cross and help others to see it as well.
When we lift up Jesus and "reveal His glory" at the cross, some will have their hearts cut to the core and then healed by Jesus' wounds (1 Peter 2:24). They will be filled to the brim and overflowing with the love and joy of Jesus. And as they continue to behold the Lord and His glory, their lives will be transformed from the inside out.
Question 7: As you look to the cross and behold the glory of God fully revealed, what do you see? Please share your thoughts.
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Miles writes, "How can it be? that my Savior would die for one such as me? That God would plan and watch the suffering and death of His lovely and perfect Son for a wretched man like me! The glory of his goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life and he fills me to overflowing with His grace and righteousness."
Friend, do you eagerly anticipate the day when you will see your Bridegroom face to face at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Are your eyes and your thoughts fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 12:1-3) and His glory revealed on the cross? Are you experiencing the heart-filling, life-transforming, joy producing love of God poured out through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) who has been given to you to comfort, counsel, and reveal to you the glories of your eternal Bridegroom? Are you calling others to come and behold the Lamb of God who takes away their sin? (Revelation 22:17; John 1:29) I hope and pray that you are.
Question 8: How does remembering the death of Jesus, His blood poured out for you on the cross (the wine of the new covenant) and His body broken for you (the bread of the new covenant), help you to prepare for your eternal wedding? Please share.
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Miles writes, "At almost 60 I feel my body aging its way to where all bodies go and it is actually exciting to think that one day I will shed this tent and be with him forever! Being in Christ makes me long to be with him in His presence."