– Scripture:

Three days later, there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum along with his mother, brothers, and disciples, and stayed several days.

                          John 2:1–12 MSG

Key Verse – She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

– Reflection:

              From Water To Wine

There have been several situations in my life where something was happening that needed my immediate attention. It wasn’t life or death or anything like that, but we were in a heightened situation, and something had to happen in order for us to come out on top. I have played a lot of basketball in my life, and in some of those moments, you have to be able to string together enough people to get the win or at least compete. In game and in life you have to know how to string together a moment to get it done. What I found interesting was that Mary was the one stringing things together. When she notices the lack of wine, she brings it to Jesus’ attention. Despite him trying to refuse her with an attitude that it’s not his problem, Mary instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus says. Jesus then gives instructions, and the servants carry them out. The resulting wine is even better than what was served at the beginning of the event. Mary can identify what needs to be done, set people up to do it, and then step aside to allow Jesus to lead. Her faith in Jesus is already on display!

Where do we go from here?

I wonder how we can meaningfully invite Jesus into our lives. How might we recognize when the Spirit is stirring around us? How can we participate in God’s story? I always say start small. If you have read any of these devotionals or reflective words I have up to this point, starting small is important. Trying to do something big without truly understanding what the ask is will cause you to stop or even fail, and no one wants to fail in God’s eyes.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for the moments of life when we can get something done because you said it could be done. We didn’t rest on our own thoughts or skills; it was us listening to what you said to our hearts that made that happen. Jesus, thank you for being the sacrifice for us and taking all our sin onto yourself. Thank you for all the grace and mercy of each day. Amen.