Poured out wine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6B8SjPxo8o

Even If by Mercy Me

Step out on faith and see what God will do for you!

John 2:5 His (Jesus) mother saith unto the servants, “Whatever He saith unto you, do it.” (emphasis mine)

My mother, Mary, was notorious for saying, “Do it because I said so.” UGH! I like reasons. I need to understand your rationale. I want an explanation. I rarely got what I wanted. She had four chicks and she never felt the need to stop and give us a three point discussion of her thought processes. As a mom, I tried to not say, “because I said so,” but let me just tell you I came to appreciate the wisdom of not getting into a verbal battle with my offspring! It is exhausting and often did not end well for either of us.

Jesus’ mother, Mary, may have been either the mother of the bride (one of Jesus’ sisters), or helping another close family member (cousin) by assisting in wedding festivities and the wine, a requirement for any Jewish celebration, has run out. This was societal suicide for the groom’s family. Mary seeks out Jesus help. She needs a miracle. And FAST! She has a merciful heart and wants to fix the catastrophe in the making. She went to the one “who makes all things new.” (Isaiah 43:9) She went to Jesus FIRST! Mother Mary has WISDOM!

Jesus had not yet begun His ministry. He asks His mom, “What do you want me to do?” I LOVE Mary’s response. Instead of getting into a begging and pleading session with her special son, she turns and says to those assisting her, “WHATEVER He says, DO IT!” Her mamma heart knew this son of hers had her back! He was going to do something because He loved HIs mother! She already knew He was ABLE. (Ephesians 3:20) “Mother Mary, speaking words of wisdom……” (from Let It Be by the Beatles)

John 2:7 tells us Jesus instructed the servants to fill the six waterpots with water and they filled them to the BRIM! Talk about doing what they were told. No half done job here! They gave the task 100% of their efforts. Mary’s trust in Jesus was transferred to others. They saw in her something that caused them to respond also. Mary knew the scriptures of Psalms 111:10, “fear (awe, reverence, respect) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever,” and Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Mary’s complete awe of the Son of God and her complete TRUST in Him and His ability to give what was needed was unparalleled. The obedience of the servants, despite the total lack of understanding of why Jesus asked them to fill the pots with WATER, was an act of worship and this led to the blessing of ALL in attendance at this wedding. No second rate wine served here: Only the best given in answer to the need.

Has the LORD ever asked you to do something that made not one lick of sense to you or anyone else around you? Yea, me too. What was your response? Obedience will always lead to a blessing for others. Disobedience will lead to your misery and the misery of many. Jesus asks us to be poured out water and wine, (Philippians 2:17) like He was (II Timothy 4:6).

Are you struggling in life and can’t seem to find your footing? Listen: Jesus is still asking, “What do you want ME to do?” Follow Mother Mary’s lead: Go back to the last place where you were in fellowship with the LORD and ask Him to reveal where you failed to be obedient to His direction. Then turn around and follow His directions completely! In other words, “Do whatever He tells you to do!” Remember, it may not make a “lick of sense” to you or those who love you. Do it anyway! Fill your pot to the BRIM!!! Your life will find meaning, purpose, and you will become a blessing to multitudes and your joy will be complete. (John 15:11)

Wherever He Leads I’ll Go by Alan Jackson

An old hymn with a forever message of our expected response to the call of Christ.

Father,

In the name of Jesus who loves me, I ask You to show me where I stopped being obedient and point me in the right direction from here. Thank you for using even my mishaps, mistakes, and misunderstanding for my good and Your eternal glory. Amen

“Within the Orthodox Jewish community, the groom’s family traditionally pays for FLOPS (an acronym for flowers, liquor, orchestra, photographer and shaytel).” http://jewishexponent.com/2016/10/27/the-mother-of-the-groom-tells-all/

“Wine is a symbol of happiness and that is why it is blessed at parties and important Jewish ceremonies such as holidays, Shabbat, weddings or circumcisions.”

Some scholars eliminate one of Jesus brothers as a groom possibility because the wedding was held in Cana not Nazareth where Jesus resided with His mother until His ministry began. Jewish tradition has the groom adding onto his father’s house prior to marriage and the marriage would be consummated in the father’s house in the new room built to his father’s specifications. Sons stayed with the family clan, daughters joined a new family.