John …on Love

“I can fix that” we say in problematic situations. “I know what to do, let’s…” “Let’s do it this way…and right NOW!” “Do it and do it now, the quicker the better!” We all have the tendencies to jump in and solve problems before thinking it through. We do NOT like to wait. We quickly shed what we know of God to get a work done quickly. We take what little we know, jump in with both feet, without praying first and getting direction from God and forget waiting on HIS timing. Why? We are frustrated too easily. We are surprised when the task we accomplished was not the best or even failed miserably…all because we did not wait on God’s timing.

Jesus is pushed by Mary, his earthly mom, to fix a problem she knows he can solve easily. Knowing that God CAN solve it is the first step. But she pushes and wants it completed in her time, in the immediate. What was the result? I do not see any public glory given to God for turning the water into wine. The disciples knew what was going on. The servants knew what was going on. But this first public display of the power of God in Jesus, who was God in part, is less than dramatic or full of worship for the One who performed the miracle and took care of a problem at a simple wedding. The host saved face and received took the glory for the great and best wine! “This is not my time. Don’t push me.” speaks volumes to me this morning.

John 2, The Message
From Water to Wine
2 1-3 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.”

4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.”

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

6-7 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.

8 “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did.

9-10 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!”

11 This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum along with his mother, brothers, and disciples, and stayed several days.

Jesus, at the pushing of mom, helped the host of the wedding save face…but it was not HIS time. At the very least, and at His very best, the disciples believed in him. This act reminds me of times we push ahead, do our own thing, make mistakes in judgement of timing, even fail ourselves (although Jesus did NOT fail here). It shows us how God will take our humanness of impatience, willingness to jump in, and our “trying” to do the right thing and makes it all good. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

Jesus honored his earthly mother and did what they both knew He could do at the wedding and provided a “first glimpse of his glory” to the common people who served and to those who began following Him. Mission accomplished.

For us? Don’t push God. Give it all to God. He is at work while we sleep. He is at work while we stew over problems. Let HIM have His way in His time is the lesson for me today. I repent.

Dear Heavenly Father, We read Your Story and see where we are weak. We repent. Help us to see You in all the details today. Help us to wait or move ahead at Your command and prompting so all is done in Your Time for Your Glory.
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.