This is the story of Transformation.

Back in the days weddings were wonderful occasions where country folk celebrated a festival for several days. At one particular wedding in Cana of Galilee mentioned in John’s Gospel there was a big problem. There was no more wine. Here wine represents joy and blessings of the wedding. Imagine going to a wedding and finding out there was no food or no music. This would really ruin the mood and may have a lasting impression on the family. Jesus’ mother Mary noticed that the wine was gone. Some nosy mothers may complain to the banquet manager or start talking about it to the guests saying, *“Hey, this is terrible? What a kind of a wedding is this with no wine?” *But Mary was careful not to ruin such a beautiful wedding. She took this problem directly to Jesus.

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Problems

We all have problems and usually we don’t know what to do with these problems. Some have family problems, life problems and wounds to be healed. We really don’t know what to do. There is no medicine, no cure, no counselor and no philosophy to set us free from our problems. For Mary this problem was the opportunity to pray. She went directly to Jesus and told him, “They have no more wine.” It was as simple as that. At first we don’t know how to pray or what to say but she brought the problem to Jesus just like it was, “They have no more wine.” There is no problem too small or too complicated for Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus’ answer to Mary’s prayer must surprise us all: “My time has not yet come?” Sometimes the answer to prayer is, “wait.” That doesn’t mean Jesus will not to help her. It doesn’t mean Mary needs to give up praying and do nothing. She needs to advance one level in her prayer. It means she will have to open her eyes to look around and see what she does have in the impossible situation. After prayer, Mary’s eyes were open to see what was there to work with. She saw the servants hanging around.Mary was a guest of the wedding not a servant, but she was so humble to work together with the servants. She did not pray alone but engaged others to participate in this work of prayer.

“For when two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. (Mt 18:20)”

Mary believed Jesus could do something and she made the environment for Jesus to work in his way and in his time. She involved others and she planted faith in their hearts saying to them, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Eagerness

They must have been encouraged by Mary’s faith and prayer. The situation seemed impossible. They knew there was no wine and no grapes and even the water jars were empty.There were six huge water jars holding more than one hundred liters each. Jesus then told the servants to fill those jars with water. These servants did not just sit around. It was hard work to draw the water from the well and fill these jars. But they obeyed Jesus with such eagerness that they filled the jars to the brim. Filling the jars to the brim shows their eagerness to participate even though they really could not understand what was going on.

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Take some to the banquet manager

There was one more task for these servants. They were to take the water and give some to the manager of the banquet. This was the time of nervous anticipation. The water had not turned into wine yet and they did not know how their boss would respond. They may lose their jobs or worse. The servant came with the cup of water trusting Jesus’ words. He gave some to the manager of the banquet to taste.

The best wine

The banquet manager put the cup to his lips and was exuberant. He declared to the bridegroom, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” The banquet manager’s comment tells us that this was a complete transformation. It was not just a partial change. He did not change wash water to drinking water or grape juice. He did not change grapes into wine. He made a new creation. He changed water into wine. Not just any wine, but choice wine and the best wine. This was a miracle that everybody could appreciate. All the guests were happy with this choice wine. The manager of the banquet was satisfied and the bride and bridegroom were blessed. This miracle shows us the character of the beginning days of Jesus’ ministry. It was like a wedding festival flowing with choice wine the best wine. The blessing is overflowing to everyone around us.

Who are the most blessed?

Everybody was blessed but not everybody knew where the wine came from. There were a few humble people behind the scenes who participated in faith and prayer and obedience to Jesus’ words. They could taste the wine but it was even more special to them because they knew where it came from. They enjoyed an even sweeter wine.

His Glory Revealed

Those who work behind the scenes get an extra blessing. It is the blessing to witness the source of blessing in action. John 2:11 says,

“This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”

The word “glory” here is similar to the word brightness, magnificence, majesty and splendor. This glory shines Jesus’ power to change water to wine. John’s Gospel introduces Jesus saying, “The Word was with God and the word was God… Through him all things were made.” He is glorified as Creator God. Just as he created all things he can recreate. Jesus changed water into a completely new substance. The dirty wash water could not quench the hearts of the people there to enjoy the wedding banquet. They needed the wine of Jesus’ blessing. They needed choice wine, the best wine. Jesus changed what was useless into what is useful. This is the glory that was revealed and to the disciples who put their faith in him.

A New Creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Co 5:17)

This is what happens for everyone who is in Jesus. This is the glory the disciples saw. It is the glory to change lives. “By his wounds you have been healed (1 Pe 2:24).” His life on earth was choice wine, the best love and forgiveness that covers all sins through his blood on the cross. The new creation is the fruit of his resurrection. We don’t just live for a world that fades and perishes but we live for an eternal kingdom that will never perish, spoil or fade. Take it for what it is. His love never changes.

Since I started writing here I went through several changes. Some of my writing was like dirty water but I don’t want it to stay that way. I want to be changed not only in my outward character and action, but in my inward character and writing. I want to bring the Bible into my posts. Of course I will still end with a poem and I will blog on other topics as well but I can’t keep writing without sharing the new wine of Jesus’ blood poured out for my sins. I can’t keep writing without sharing the grace poured out to me and new life I received. Little by little I will share part of my story in these posts. Consider this an introduction to my testimony. Here is the poem of the day:

POEM - THE WEDDING

A wedding must be blessed
The bliss bestowed from above
Cannot be robbed by empty goblets
Parched throats or empty souls
The wedding should be enjoyed by all

A request delayed but not dismayed
Persist and ask a friend
Then open eyes and see a way

The craft of the Potter’s wheel
Six stone water jars are empty inside
Nothing more to satisfy
A request is followed by reply

The heart’s comply to the command on high
Jars filled to the brim
The banquet master gives no sigh
He lifts up his cup on high
The choicest wine from king’s tables
Overflowing to guests below
They reach their heavenly high
Spiritual inebriation
The drink that comes from heaven
Vital fluids transfused in me
Have made me a reality
The old has gone
The new has come
This is the gift from the Son

A heavenly banquet like never before

Love,

365GROOVY

@mineopoly

mining the heart

(cover photo is public domain found at pixabay.com)