Mar 15 - "The Good Wine"

"On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." --- John 2: 1-12

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This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible (hence, posting the whole reading today instead of just a snippet.) The story of Jesus' first miracle; changing water to wine at the Wedding at Cana is such a simple and beautiful depiction of the first of many wonderful and marvelous acts Jesus will deliver during His life on earth.

A wedding is such a joyous time. I think back to almost a year ago when we were all together as a family celebtrating the marriage of my sister Abbi to her husband, Ben. All of us were filled with the happiness brought by a new life together; two lives made into one. God is good!

There are two parts to this story from John's gospel which always strike me. First, Jesus' mother Mary has to prompt Jesus to act. Of course, since Jesus was fully Man, he reacts as a son might in a similar situation when a mother has pride around a son's special gifts and wants him to reach his full potential. He basically says, "C'mon Mom...not now. Don't make me do this in front of all these people". It's as if she were asking him to put on his tap shoes and show off some new steps. He almost seems embarrassed and relucatant to "perform". But, don't all of us need a little push every once in awhile from that person who can see our full potential, yet unrealized?

The second, and most poignant message behind this story from Jesus' life is what happens to a situation when you bring God into the equation. Remember, Jesus, although fully Man, was also fully God. The miracle He performed was about taking a good situation and making in better by adding God. When I reflect upon my own marriage, I realize that, even though Greta and I had a wonderful relationship the first few years of our marriage, it got even better once we brought God into our relationship. When we added Him into our lives as a defining element of how we related to each other and those around us, recognizing the power of prayer...praying for each other and those in our lives...how much better it became, and continues to be! The first "wine" of our life together was wonderful, but how much sweeter the "wine" is now, once it has been blessed by the active presence of God.

So, allow the good wine to flow. Whatever you think is good today can become great and amazing when you add God and a relationship with Jesus Christ to the equation. Allow the gift you have been given to reach its full potential, being wonderfully magnified and blessed by Him.