Serving the Best
Serving the Best
Mary and Jesus were guests at the wedding in Cana when the wine ran out. Using her keen observation skills, Mary saw what was happening, and knowing the possible humiliation for the groom and the family, she went to Jesus to deal with the issue. He came up with a unique solution to a serious social problem.
Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:6-10 (NLT2)
In the blink of an eye, Jesus changes one hundred and fifty gallons of water into wine, and not just wine, the best wine. Jesus acts with kindness using what was available to accomplish what was impossible. His work of transformation of water into wine is extravagant and extraordinary. One normal bottle of wine is about a quart, but Jesus makes one hundred and fifty gallons of wine. He does not make just good enough wine he makes the best.
The practice of serving or hospitality is most delightful when what is shared is done extravagantly instead of stingily. Jesus did it right. He turned one hundred and fifty gallons of water to wine, not just enough to get by. He took the quality of the wine to the highest level to bless others, which is an example for his people to follow.
Do you practice hospitality meagerly or extravagantly?
Have you ever kept the “good stuff” back while serving the “good enough stuff?”
Has the grace God has shown you been meager or extravagant?
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Jesus’ First Miracle
Jesus’ First Miracle
The head of state of a foreign country invited to meet with the President of the United States is welcomed with great fanfare. The customary length of stay is four days with a flight line ceremony, an arrival ceremony and dinner at the White House, an exchange of diplomatic gifts, flag street lining, and perhaps an address of Congress.
How does the God-man get introduced? He is named by John the Baptist on the Jordan River, which gets him noticed by a few. Jesus is invited to a wedding of an unnamed couple in Cana (not a state dinner). The party has a problem with a wine shortage, and Jesus solves the problem by changing the basic molecular structure of water into the more complex molecular structure of wine. Jesus does this act out back with the servants and with no fanfare. By the way, Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine for some friend’s wedding celebration.
Jesus is the person of the highest rank, and with the noblest mission, did he get noticed by his act of grace? Yes, he did.
This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:11 (NLT2)
The disciples believed in him. Jesus’ miraculous work caught their attention, and they believed in him.
Was a miracle important to the process of Jesus’ ministry on earth? Yes, Jews look for signs, miraculous interventions into the normal things of life. The miracles are confirmations God is at work. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:22 (HCSB)
The disciples were impressed, they had already found him fascinating, and John the Baptist had said Jesus is the one, but now, they had seen a miracle. His disciples believed in him.
To unwind after the wine incident, the disciples joined Jesus and his mother and brothers for some rest and relaxation along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples. John 2:12 (NLT2)
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