Visit, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep all harm and danger far from them. Grant that we may dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, sharing eternally in Your blessings;
We give thanks for the joy and blessings that You grant to husbands and wives. Assist them always by Your grace that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep their marriage vows, grow in love toward You and for each other, and come at last to the eternal joys that You have promised;[2]
Lord Jesus, bless Thy Word that we might trust in Thee.
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. Jesus was there as an invited guest.
This says something. May the Savior be an ever-present yet unseen guest in every home of our Friedheim family. And in our 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. Yet, it happened. With no wine, the feast is over. To leave early or run out was an embarrassment.
Like this couple, you plan for the best. You have dreams and goals. . You only desire 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. They could be financial. It could be a prolonged illness. A disability. It might be a special needs child. The list is endless.
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. At one time or another, we’ve all been given much advice. These recommendations. While well intended. Often comes unsolicited. 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 for the people of our Friedheim family is that you will experience grace in your life. For grace is karma’s worst nightmare. With grace, we receive exactly what we don’t deserve.
And with that person sitting next to you today. You are allowed to experience grace and mercy with the one you love.
Live grace filled lives. Be merciful. Strive for peace. Always forgive. May your life together be an adventure as the Savior walks with you.
Words –1,075
Passive Sentences –2%
Readability – 82.1%
Reading Level – 3.6
Passive Sentences –2%
Readability – 82.1%
Reading Level – 3.6
[1]
Wedding at Cana copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]
Collect for home and family and for those who are married, Lutheran Service
Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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