Wednesday | Week 2
While John doesn’t tell us, the wedding at Cana happens after Jesus has fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights and has been tempted by Satan. After that, as tired as he must have been—I realize I’m projecting my own physical limitations on Jesus here—he began to seek and call his disciples. He’s ready to begin his public ministry, an intense three years that would be marked by conflict, threats, pain, and—ultimately—death. And yet he takes time to attend a wedding.
What does this say about Jesus, that he would accept such an invitation?
Then, his mother, Mary, tells him the wine has run out—a major social mistake for the marrying couple, one that could bring them shame and dishonor. Jesus says to her, in essence, “Why ask me?” Every time I read this passage, he seems to be saying, “No, I won’t get involved.” But then he does.
And Mary knows that he will, but she also knows—or is learning—that he will do it in his own way, in his own time, and for his own reasons. “Do whatever he tells you,” she says to the servants. What a picture of the life I need to have! Ask Jesus, leave the means and the timing up to him, and then—do whatever he tells me!
If there are unsung heroes in this story, they are the servants. Not only do they do what Jesus says, but they do it all the way. They fill the jars with water to the brims. Not knowing what Jesus was about to do, I might have filled them half-way, or at least a gallon or two from the top. But they were all in.
In preaching about this passage, Charles Spurgeon said this:
“When you are told to believe in Him, believe in Him up to the brim! When you are told to love Him, love Him up to the brim! When you are commanded to serve Him, serve Him up to the brim!” 1
The servants didn’t change the water into wine, but by obeying Jesus without question, and by obeying to the fullest extent, they saw and were blessed by the miracle.
Lord Jesus, may I invite you into all the events of my life, no matter how big or small. And may I do whatever you tell me—up to the brim!
1 | Obeying Christ’s Orders, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, ON, June 13, 1889.