Sermonette: August 31, 2020

I am attending a wedding this week. What is amazing to me is that not so very long ago, those who knew me would have been very surprised at that statement. Truth is, I would go to great lengths to avoid such gatherings. I don't really know for sure why that was but I just didn't go to them unless absolutely necessary. If it were a family event involving a sibling or a nephew or niece, that was different. It was always great to see relatives I hadn't seen for a while and the partying was usually pretty good also. But other than that, I didn't go.

It wasn't only weddings, it was most any type of gathering like graduations and such. It was pretty easy to convince myself that I was just too busy to attend. Perhaps I was just lazy and didn't want to make the effort. Or to be honest, I may have just been selfish, thinking my time was too important to have my day interrupted. My but how things have changed. Those of you who know me now would have a difficult time recognizing who I was back then. What a difference a few years can make. What a difference God can make.

Let's re-visit a small town in Galilee by the name of Cana. It was only a few miles a little to the north of Nazareth, a walk of about an hour or maybe a little more. Jesus was there, as was his mother. He really hadn't started His ministry at that time. No doubt, He was attending as a friend of either the bride or the groom. While there, the horror of all horrors for a host happened. They ran out of wine. In those days at a Jewish wedding, the party would last for several days with people constantly coming and going. The host was expected to furnish food and drink for the guests. It would have been a major embarrassment to run out of wine. It would have been a disgrace to his family.

Mary went to her son and told him about the trouble and asked him to help. Although he protested somewhat, saying that he hadn't planned on going public yet with the powers God had given him. Nonetheless, he followed through and obeyed her request. He changed water into wine. His first miracle. But, it is actually so much more than that.

It would have been natural for some guests to be upset if they found out they came to party and there was no wine. Some would have smirked and maybe even make a comment about this would never happen if they were the host. But, Mary, rather than snickering or complaining, did what she could to help. She went to her Son and He of course solved the problem with his first public miracle as recorded in the Gospel.

But there is more to this story than just the miracle of turning water into wine. In addition to the miracle, there are other things we should take to heart. One, Mary's concern for her hosts and willingness to help save them embarrassment. Two, how our Lord is willing to step in for us when called upon. Three, through Jesus, jars that were once empty, were put to good use.

What else can we take away from this story? We can know that even if our planning and preparation falls short in things of our daily lives, we can count on Jesus for help. He can fill us, He can change us. Let Him change us to be of benefit to others; not just for familly and friends, but to all peoples. Let us ask Him to do something with us, so that we do more than just sit around like empty jars. Blessings to you all.