John 1:51 (NKJV): And He (Jesus) said to him (Nathanael) "Most assured, I say to you, thereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
As I was ministering prophetically to the congregation the other day, I suddenly heard these words, and therefore spoke them out by faith: "Declare heaven to open above your heads!" It immediately reminded me of Psalm 24:7-8 that says, 'Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle'.
Indeed, people of God, as you begin to declare heaven to open above your heads, this same King of glory will begin to come into every situation of yours today! Like the light that shines (from open heaven) and dispels every darkness! Jesus is the light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). And when this light comes, every darkness has to flee!
And you know what? The very next moment after Jesus had spoken in John 1:51, He began to perform His very first miracle by turning water to wine! John 2:11 says, 'This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him'.
John 2:1-5 says, 'On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour (timing) has not yet come." His mother said to the servants. "Whatever He says to you, do it."'
This account written by John is very prophetic of our days and time as believers in the New Covenant.
'On the third day' here is symbolic of 'the resurrection of Jesus', and the fact that He is very much alive today!
Jesus being invited to this wedding banquet speaks of 'Jesus being invited into your life'. Just as there are 'highlights' in each wedding banquet (feast), there are also 'highlights' in each of our lives. Personally, the greatest 'highlights' in my life so far have always involved Jesus manifesting Himself and showing Himself so real, especially in times of need. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
'Wine' speaks of 'joy and celebration in life'. In the English Standard Version (ESV), Nehemiah 8:10 says, 'And he (Nehemiah) said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."' It is interesting to see that the first miracle of Jesus has to do with turning your sorrow into joy, and mourning into dancing! In other words, He came to set you free from every sorrow! And of course, if He is invited into your life (or any situation you face in your life), you'll be sure that He'll always have a way or solution for you! The Bible says He is the way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6)
The word 'hour' here in Greek is 'hora', which can be translated as '(high) time'. In other words, He holds the (right) timing as to when exactly He will perform it, and how He's going to do it! Simply because He knows better. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, '"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."'
"What's my part then?"
Your part is simply to invite Him into your life (and of course, the situation you are facing at the moment), and as Mary had said, "Whatever He says to you, do it." People of God, these are keys to His miracle and manifestation in your life (and the situation you are facing now)!
In John 2:6-8, you'd see the very specific instructions of Jesus for that very specific situation. It says, 'Now there were set there six waterpots of stone... Jesus said to them (the servants), "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them,"Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.'
Then, John 2:9-10 says, 'When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"'
In John 14:21, Jesus says, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
The word 'commandments' here is 'entole' (pronounced 'en-tol-ay') in Greek, which can mean 'an authoritative prescription or instruction', from the word 'entellomai' meaning 'to (give) a charge, to (give) a command'. See the word 'authoritative' here? As you can see, His words carry authority and power! And the word 'keeps' here is 'tereo' in Greek, which means 'to hold fast (to a command), to fulfill a command, to act on a command'.
To put it simply, "Whatever He says to you, do it." And of course, take time to listen for that command (or commands). Do not be wise in your own eyes, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Read the Word, and let it never depart from your eyes (Proverbs 4:21), and pray in the Spirit often (Ephesians 6:18).
And you'll be sure to see Him manifest Himself in your situation as well. Amen!
