9.11.2021
John 2:1-11
Gabor and Lydia; we wish you the LORD’s blessings in
your marriage and in your life together.
Of all the places Jesus is personally invited happens
to be at a wedding. The guest list includes the Savior; his mother. and, of
course, his disciples. John reminds us that Jesus’ disciple were present. Yet
Jesus Himself was personally invited.
Were there other guests? We do not know. Was this
wedding an informal event, or an intimate affair? We do not know. What we do
know, Jesus was there as an invited guest.
This says something. May the Savior be an ever present
yet unseen guest in your home and in your life together.
What we soon discover is that the wine ran out. Not
good. Certainly this couple had planned for the wedding. After all, it was
their special day.
“They have no
more wine” was not what this couple wanted to hear. And yet, it happened.
With no wine the feast is over. To leave early or run out was an embarrassment.
From this day forth you venture forward as husband and
wife. And like this couple you plan for the best. You have dreams and goals. We
wish you only happiness.
Yet, we live in a broken world outside of Eden. So
there will be challenges, which will need to be confronted and addressed when
they occur. These challenges, they arrive often unannounced. For this couple
the wine was gone.
As for you what roadblocks will stand in your
road? We do not know. These challenges,
these tests, are a delicate thing for they have the potential to derail
everything.
Yet as with this couple Jesus remains ever present; in
your marriage and in your life. Christ is just as present to give guidance and
encouragement. Hard times might come. But they last only for a season. Jesus
will see you through.
And especially during those challenging times rely on
each other. “The husband and wife should
be similar to the hand and the eye. When the hand hurts, the eyes should be
crying. And when the eyes cry, the hand should wipe away the tears.” – St.
John Chrysostom
Mary is specific and direct. “They have no more wine!” She confronts the problem headlong. She
cuts to the chase and tells Jesus her problem. Likewise, be specific in your
prayers. Christ knows your needs. So, tell him. Be direct and candid. He does
not need hyperbole. In your prayers be as specific as you are able.
Now the Savior’s response might sound troublesome.
"Is my concern also that of yours
woman? My hour is not come." Mary’s concerns are different here. All
she can know with certainty is her present circumstance; there is no wine.
Jesus sees beyond the irritation of the moment.
He knows your past; He’s present now and is concerned
with your future. And he is capable of providing rescue. Responding to the servants Mary speaks
confidently as she says to them, “whatever
he might say to you -do.”
And with respect to Jesus; she has every confidence that
he will go and be the Savior.
Do not allow the irritations of life’s present pains
and sorrows distract you from your Savior’s greatest work; his time came at his
cross and the life he now gives you in his glorious resurrection. There he
worked salvation. There he works remission of all sin. There he set you apart
to be his child, his chosen one; redeemed, restored, forgiven.
To be sure you’ve been given much advice. Some helpful.
Others not. Mary’s words are most
excellent; “whatever he might say to
you…do.”
The miracle happens rather quickly. “Now there were six stone water jars there
for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty
gallons. Jesus said to the servants,
“Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and
take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.
When the master of the feast tasted the water
now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who
had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and
said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk
freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” – John 2:6-10
Six stone jars each holding twenty or thirty gallons
equals between 120 and 180 gallons. That’s a tremendous amount of wine; not to
mention, the steward renders it the best!
As your Savior leads you; you will experience countless
blessings too many to count. 180 gallons is an abundance of wine; so you will
experience much happiness with your Savior’s guidance.
The grace and mercy of Christ is like excellent wine.
It flows in abundance, it gladdens the heart; it renders you blessed!
The whole point of the miracle – that His disciples believe in Him. The goal in your life is one and the same to believe in Him, to trust His Word, to place your confidence in that One who loves you with an everlasting love.
My hope is that you will experience grace in your life. For grace is karma’s worst nightmare. And at this wedding you are allowed to experience grace and mercy with the one you love.
Gabor and Lydia I pray that you would live grace filled lives. Be merciful. Strive for peace. Always forgive. May your life together be an adventure as the Savior walks with you. Godspeed and God bless in your new life together.
No comments:
Post a Comment