But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Psalm 102:27
Please excuse the typos … I just needed to get the word out. I woke up today pondering on the phrase… and the wine ran out… John 2:3
What do you do when you find out in the middle of your celebration, the wine has run out? This is similar to running out of finances, facing health issues, losing a loved one, job or house. You open your eyes and it’s just you and your bride or closest family on the dance floor, as the guests or fair-weather friends have all dispersed because they can no longer get merry at your expense. Imagine that for second. That reinforced my belief that people may stick around you primarily for their own benefit and not necessarily for yours. Nonetheless, Jesus was on the guest list.
The Invitation
This couple in Cana could have invited brewers, caterers, designers and other movers and shakers but instead they resolved to invite Jesus. The carpenters son, miracle worker, Messiah…… or whatever their reason. An invitation means your partnership is valuable, your presence is welcome and your participation is much desired.
So they really wanted him there perhaps simply to share their joy not knowing he could and would do more for them. Have you invited Jesus to be a part of what you are doing at present?
Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
The Situation
Mary: The wine is out, Jesus!
Jesus: What do I have to do with you, Woman?
I have lived long enough to learn everyone’s got issues. The tall, short, black, white, affluent and wretched all have their various problems. Some do good to acknowledge them while others choose to live in denial but that changes nothing. Putting all her prestige aside, Mary stepped out to inform Jesus about the situation disregarding his initial response.
Often times we abuse certain privileges in life due to familiarity. There is no way Jesus could have stayed through this party and watch things go bad without bettering it. It’s important however the attendees recognized they had an issue. What’s your problem?
17 Teacher, I have brought my son to You. He is filled with an unclean spirit. He cannot speak, 18 and when the spirit takes control of him, he is thrown to the ground to wail and moan, to foam at the mouth, to grind his teeth, and to stiffen up. I brought him to Your followers, but they could do nothing with him. Can You help us? Mark 9
The Petition
One of the most indirect directives I dislike is ‘’Jean, would you like to?’’ or like in this passage, ‘’we don’t have …….’’. In other words, go do it … go find that number! However you look at it, both statements are demanding action.
So when Mary came and told Jesus about the situation, he knew exactly what was required of him however he couldn’t, at least not immediately. Sometimes in life, it may seems some things are beyond us but help is always near. Learn to ask!
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. Matthew 15:25
The Duration
Jesus is omniscient and I’d like to think that sometime before Mary came to him, he had briefed the disciples backstage that something was about to happen (just my imagination). Standby guys, be alert, we’re on call and about to attend to an emergency!
If he knew, why didn’t he go ahead to prevent it at least to save this couple the shame? But why did he delay??? Jesus, why are you stalling? ‘’My hour has not yet come’’, he said! Hang on, this show is about to go off air if you don’t act now and you say what? Come on Jesus, time is of the essence here!
There is an appointed time for everything. Most people have lost their bearing in life because they are not in synchrony with either heavens or nature’s timing.
For everything and activity under the heavens, there is a specific, allotted time for it!
For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”
Hebrews 10:37
The Instruction
The first came from Mary: Do whatever he tells you.” Herein Mary reveals the key to receiving God’s best is in Obedience. If we do whatever he bids, then surely the outcome will be phenomenal. The second was from Jesus: ‘’Fill the jars with water’’. Now it might interest you to know that these water pots where used for purification.
All sorts of people with their various impurities would have used this pot; however, when the Master was about to do the miraculous he chose these same pots as instruments. The fact that you were a receptionist for 15 years doesn’t mean you can’t be a Director. I love the way David puts it:
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Psalm 113: 7-9
I am not quite sure when it happened. Perhaps the change happened as the water entered the pots, while drawn out, on its way to the Master of Ceremony or when tasted. The most important thing is that the ordinary became extraordinary. Water turned into wine.
The colourless, tasteless, and odourless became colourful, tasteful and fragrant. That’s what Jesus can do! He can do a new thing in you. He can transform your life. He can turn and shift things in your favour. He can give you new wine….new identity… new possibilities and realities. He can give you living water from the well without having to draw it out. He can quench your thirst.
Scripture says when the MC tasted the wine he did not know where it came from but the servants knew.
That’s the same way people might know where you are coming from but have no clue as to where you are going. They can to an extent describe what you have been and how you used to be, but not quite what you are about to become or how you will be. A change is coming to you. Your testimony is in your tests …. Your message in your mess …. Your triumph in your trial … The MC on tasting the wine said, “You have saved the best for last”. Friend, this is exactly what God is doing on your behalf! Your latter will indeed be greater.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19