Are you a planner or a plodder? My wife is a planner. I simply plod along. When we are going on a trip she has the map in her lap so she can see where we are exactly along the route. Even if we are going to the store across town she has her phone all planned out so she'll know where we’ll get there and anything to avoid along the way.
She will plan what we will do when we will do it and how long it will take. She’s an excellent organizer.
Her motto is simple. Have a plan. Work the plan. But plan for the unexpected.
Sometimes. The best laid plans sometimes don’t work out. Life happens. This we will see in our Gospel for today. A nameless, faceless couple who planned everything find themselves in an embarrassing situation. And yet the Savior will come through turning water into wine on the occasion of His first miracle.
Collect for Collect for Epiphany 2– Almighty and Everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.
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 your life.
What we soon discover is that the wine ran out. Not good. Certainly, this couple had planned for the wedding. 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 could be some sort of loss. The list is endless.
These challenges. These tests. Are delicate things. For they have the potential to derail everything.
Yet as with this couple. Jesus remains ever-present. 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 has promised will see you through.
Now 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 Jesus. 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 has 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 can provide 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 to 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 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 equal 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 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. With grace, we receive exactly what we don’t deserve.
Live grace filled lives. Be merciful. Strive for peace. Always forgive. May your life together be an adventure as the Savior walks with you.
No comments:
Post a Comment