There is just something about gathering in the midst of fellow believers. If you feel you are weak in faith, when you gather with victorious Christians, you will not help but to feel you are right then and there being taken out from your pit. Seriously, that's how I feel.
And man! we have not talked about the sermon, haven't we? Ok. The passage we were studying was John 2:1-11.
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,
The third day here is the third day after Jesus called his first disciples. These small group of people is a little community in itself. I guess, they are happy to know and support each other. Strange! why Jesus' mother? why not Jesus' father was mentioned? the Jews are partriachal and normally unless it is really significant, they will not even mention a woman in writings. It is actually believed that Joseph had already passed away. Jesus, probably in His thirties, as the firstborn, has to father to his brothers and sisters. This also lead us in understanding the reason Jesus could sympathize and understand whatever hardships we are going through.
2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
This verse is also significant. This wedding was attended by Maria, Jesus and his disciples. This group of disciples are not only left to their own small community, caring for only among themselves. But, they are also included in larger groups like this wedding. A small community must be a blessing to a larger community. Jesus always point his disciples back to the harvest (fields of people), ready to be plucked, but the harvesters are few. Church must be salt and light of the world.
The wedded couple must be pretty generous to have them because the disciples might not know them.
Wedding, Marriage is an important institution that even Jesus would regard its significance by attending it.
3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
Wedding in the olden days, could last up to seven days as it will take days for some of the invited party to travel. (Imagine, we so take for granted the ease of transportation where we reside). Normally, to entertain guests, the wedding party will provide wine. But, this event was lacking of wine for the guests. Instead of thinking the organizer was thrifty or unprepared or feeling unappreciated, Maria prayed to the Lord (by talking to Jesus) regarding their need. How many times have we prayed for people around us? I remember the time I was taking my afternoon walk. I posted not long ago, about their stressed and exhausted faces. Instead of emphatizing, I was wishing ONLY for myself, not to be looking like zombies. Sometimes I am the cause of other people's sadness. Very selfish aye?
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
Jesus' reply is very interesting. If you respect your mother, would you reply so? Dear woman. Not even addressing her status as his mom. But, here is a woman who is in need still of the salvation from the savior of the world, Jesus. A woman who is in need to be taught the purpose of Him being on earth despite she was chosen to be God's instrument to be his mother. Imagine, the awkwards moments as his mother but also as his disciple. She must have released Him to the Lord fully. Here when Jesus said that His time has not yet come, Maria as human must submit her desire into God's desire. Like us, when we pray, not until our desire is achieved, but our desires be molded into desiring what God desire.
What do we wish to get out of the church? Have we actually prioritized others need above ours? We should encourage one another to help, serving the Lord is not for our own benefit but for the benefit of others.
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.a]">[a]
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
The servants are the most obedient people. They obeyed whatever Jesus told them. I am sure they will be thinking so many things as they were told to fill the jars with water instead of wine. How to get the water? you must go out of town to get there and back. Just what are the questions in their mind? may be...
"I hope this guy really knows what he is doing...fancy filling the jars with water. Why not we go to nearer place and get real wine??"
But, they did it.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
When they go and draw the water things might not be too hard. But, when they had to bring it to the master of banquet...I can imagine the shivering, the nerve-racking feeling as they bring it to the master. They are only servants...they know in their mind what was in the jar. It was water. And this is the first miracle Jesus did. They hadn't known this Jesus. If they messed this up, they are screwed. Might be going without job. Likewise with serving the Lord. Day in Day out...years passed. Serving Him is not gonna get easier. But when the water was turned into wine, the happiest person is the servant.
They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
Blessed be the servants!!! For they had been witnessing the whole process and understood very well that it was a miracle. The water turned into wine. What a relief!
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
Like what Pak Yahya said, we thought we gave the best, but God was able to give more. So, sad are those who settle for human best, and happy are those who acknowledge their incapabilities let God show His power. Like the servants, instead of giving in to their thoughts, of what they think is best to do (may be to go to the shops and stock some wine), they chose to obey and follow the word of Jesus. Boom! the result is no sweat. Whole 6 jars were filled with the best wine the guests ever had in the party. I want to stop stressing out. I want to stop being anxious when things didnt go on my way. I know I can ask God's mercy for my discrepancies in carrying out the task given. The God that I worship is really big, bigger than my problem. I needn't to worry. It is God's ministry not my ministry.
Father, I pray that you will take out fear in my heart. I pray that you will make me be a victorious christian, be a faithful christian that though it is getting harder to serve but we will be equipped with patience endurance and eyes fixed to the end. That we may share in the joy of witnessing your power working mightily here on earth. Help me Lord. your little worm.
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