THEY MIGHT THINK IT'S YOU
John 2:8-10 NKJ
8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"
No, you are not confused. I had the wrong information yesterday and started with Matthew instead of John. But it's all God's Word, so it's still a win!
Our reading for today contains the story of Jesus' first miracle. He attended a wedding with His disciples, and they ran out of wine. Jesus' mother intervened on behalf of the host and asked Jesus to help. Then she said to the servants who were present that whatever Jesus said to do, do it.
Jesus instructed the servants to fill six water pots with water. The servants drew between 120 and 180 gallons of water by hand. Then, after doing all that work, Jesus instructed them to draw water out of one of the pots and take it to the wedding coordinator. The servants had to be concerned. Taking water to the wedding coordinator seemed to be a sure way to trouble. They obviously kept in mind what Mary had said to them. Probably with a 'here goes nothing' mindset.
I am sure the servants were astonished and relieved when wine came out of the jug, and the wedding coordinator smiled at them. What this man said next was a common mistake. This master of the feast gave the credit for the wine to the bridegroom. When this man tasted the wine, he was amazed that the bridegroom set the good wine out last. Everyone knows that you put the good stuff out first. After people drink for a while, their taste discrimination is reduced. Then you bring out the cheap stuff, but by then, no one cares. The master of the feast credited the bridegroom for the good wine. The Scriptures don't give us the bridegroom's reaction, but it appears that the only ones who knew where the good wine came from were the servants who were involved in the miracle.
APPLICATION
I really like this story for a couple of reasons. The first being the fact that Jesus worked a notable miracle to simply help a couple at their wedding. To run out of wine was considered bad luck at a Jewish wedding. And it would have embarrassed the bridegroom for being too cheap to buy enough wine.
The second reason is that Jesus produced a massive amount of wine. I don't know how many people were at this wedding, but 150 gallons or so of wine would have provided enough wine and more. Jesus did things in an abundant way. He filled fishing boats until they almost sunk. He fed thousands of people and still had large baskets of food left over. God is not cheap or stingy.
But on another note, the bridegroom was credited for providing the wine. The master of the feast thought it was the bridegroom even though Jesus did it. It's easy for people to see what God has done in our lives and think it was us. They may see strong marriages, healthy families, blessed careers, and thriving businesses and think we did it. But we know better. We know the Lord has blessed and helped us, or we would have run out, been embarrassed, not made it, or failed spectacularly. This is why when people say, "Look what you did, you are amazing," we need to set the story straight. The Lord has been merciful and gracious to us, and without Him, none of this you see would have happened. The glory goes to God!
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for all You have done. I would not be here if it were not for You. You are my source and strength, and the blessings I have come from You. Others may think it was me, but You and I know better! Thank You!