Through the Bible - 2 Kings 3-4, John 4:16-42
Good morning,
As we head into the book of John, the thing that I'd like you to think about as we go along is how many of Jesus' miracles, how much of his teaching, came in the normal course of life, "along the road" as it were.
In today's society, we tend to expect that we will learm most about Jesus in church or church activities. But as you go through the New Testament you begin to notice how many healings, how many lessons, how much of learning to "walk in His steps" came as the disciples followed Jesus in the community, interracting with friends, curiosity seekers, and those that wanted to trip Him up and discredit Him.
Today's verse is from John chapter 2 where we find the first recorded miracle in John's gospel. It was something that came about as a request from the person that knew Jesus most, His mother. You are probably familiar with the situation, Jesus, His mother and the disciples were attending a local wedding. They had run out of wine and Mary suggested that they seek the help of Jesus.
John 2:5 But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." NLT
Richard Burridge, in His commentary writes, "For the evangelist, the important thing is not the event - but the fact that Jesus was there (2:2). The Word made flesh, the God who dwells among us, goes to wedding parties, joins in our everyday activities and gets involved with human affairs."
It is in just this type of setting that Mary tells the servants to "do whatever he tells you". What happens here when they do what Jesus tells them to do? It is something that I'm sure the servants would never forget, and "His disciples believed in Him." (v.11 below) The miracle happened through the persistence of Mary and the obedience of the servants and is spoken of and read about somewhere every day.
The same challenge goes out today, as we go to work, school, or to the living room. Whenever you feel prompting from the Holy Spirit we should "do whatever He tells you." What kind of memorable things would He do in and through us if we did so?
Burridge concludes the passage with this prayer,may it be ours today.
"Lord, when resources run out and things seem hopeless, grant me the faith to trust in you and the willingness to do whatever you say, that your abundance may be shed on this world."
2 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine."
4 "Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."
5 But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, "Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions.
9 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. 10 "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!"
11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. NLT
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