In Part 2 of this 5-part series we saw how Christ’s first miracle reveals our great need. So much of our life consists of the routine, the mundane. Christ wants to enter into that daily march with us. He wants to transform it, to make it more than a monotonous procession. He wants to fill it with meaning.
Without this, we are pretty much left with the jaded remark of H. L. Mencken – “The basic fact about human existence is not that it is a tragedy, but that it is a bore. It is not so much a war as an endless standing in line.”
This is what we’re left with when daily slips from delight to drudgery.
Today we build on that and consider how this miracle reveals God’s concern.
When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no more wine.” (v 3)
Christ became active in their need
Though we should take great comfort in this fact, we should not be surprised by it. After all, does His word not say - your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)
What this passage says to me is that our Lord has a much broader definition of the term need than we do.
Were they going to die if they didn’t get more wine? Not at all. This is the point where many of us hear our mind saying, “They didn’t really need it, they wanted it.”
But God is not so austere as we. Socially, they needed it. They would have been the disdain of the community had they run out of wine, as we saw last time. For the success of the wedding, they needed it. For a beautiful memory that would last a lifetime, they needed it.
Christ wants to become active in your life on the level of your need. Thankfully, He is not as limited in His definition of need as we are.
But He didn’t act until asked
Mary’s request comes in the form of a statement, “They have no more wine.”
It is startling to discover how many times in the New Testament we are told to ask. In his characteristic direct style James puts the matter as plainly as it can be spoken: You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2)
It pains me to think of what all I might have struggled through on my own only because I did not stop to ask for His help.
While Christ will by no means come into our lives to be used ... He does long to be utilized by every believer.
As we saw last time, our supply runs out. We are not sufficient in and of ourselves. He wants us to rely on Him, on His resources. And we can expect great things when we do.
(By the way, we would do well to note that Mary’s request to Jesus was an intercession. She was asking on behalf of others, the wedding party.)
He demonstrates His real concern – people
This miracle wasn’t about the wine per se. It was about the shame and contempt that would have been heaped on this family ... these people ... had they run out of wine.
G. K. Chesterton is attributed with saying, “All men matter. You matter. I matter. It’s the hardest thing in theology to believe.”
The latter part of that quote resonates deeply with me. In this vast world it can be hard to believe that to God, I matter.
But it’s true. The Bible makes that very clear.
Do you want to see Christ transform your daily into something wonderful? Then I suggest you broaden your definition of need – then ask Him to do what you cannot do. Ask Him to transform it.
Til next time,
