In John 2:1-11 we read that Jesus in the early part of his ministry was invited to a marriage feast at Cana in Galilee. The wine got finished so Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked Jesus to assist. Jesus after some reluctance ordered six empty water jars to be filled with water. Thereupon, the water turned into wine. Jesus’ wine was declared better than the finished wine.
Invitation of Jesus to the feast
Jesus always likened his relationship with us to that of a bridegroom and a bride, Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:35; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7. Jesus was always interested in family affairs or marital union between bridegroom and bride. At every beginning of a relationship, we must also invite Jesus to attend as a witness. Our relationships span across the family, marriage, children, work place, church or Christendom, school, social activity, etc. We honour Jesus when we invite him to attend. We, as the church, are the bride of Jesus and must be faithful to him.
When Jesus was invited to the feast, the host did not know or expect his wine to finish before the end of the feast. Jesus accepted the invitation and attended because he knew what the future was going to be. Sometimes the Holy Spirit talks to us but we do not listen. Those who listen always have God’s intervention when trouble comes. We rather say sometimes that I felt like this or something told me to do this or that. Let us train ourselves to hear and distinguish the voice of God when he speaks and not to attribute it to any other feeling or surmise. Jesus talks to us always by his still small voice of peace, health and joy, Hebrews 4:7; Revelation 3:20. We just have to listen and obey and that is all.
Shortage of wine at the feast
Marriage feasts in those days lasted for days so it demanded thorough preparations. In spite of their preparations, the wine got short. It was not attributed to lack of adequate preparation or negligence any other cause. No matter how prepared we may be against the odds of life, we cannot foretell all future events, some of which may surprise or overwhelm us without any solution in sight. We do not control the future, only God does. Proverbs 27:1 says do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Although Jesus was present, the unfortunate happened. It confirms to us that even with our walk with God, we can still face challenges. Neither God nor Jesus promised us challenge-free lives but rather sufficient grace to endure or to overcome when troubles come. We must not erroneously believe that we are insulated from challenges because we are Christians but give up on Jesus in times of trouble. We walk by sufficient grace in faith and not by sight in fear and doubt, 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul had his share of challenges and overcame, Romans 8:35, 38. We can also overcome when we approach Jesus.
Mary’s approach to Jesus
When the wine failed Mary the mother of Jesus said to Jesus, they have no wine. Jesus replied his hour had not yet come. Mary told the servants to do what Jesus told them. John 3:36 says he who does not obey the Son shall not see life. The servants obeyed and the feast saw life again. In times of trouble, we need to focus on the master of solutions who is Jesus Christ. Mary knew who Jesus was and how to approach him in order to achieve a positive response. She knew Jesus required strict obedience and humility and decency in conduct and language. His approach could also differ from ours. Mary succeeded because she embraced sacred principles.
God’s ways and thoughts are different from ours, Isaiah 55:9. Jesus never used one and the same approach to resolve all manner of cases that were brought to him. He spoke, touched them, commanded, applied saliva, relied on their faith or none at all. He was also not time bound but by his pleasure. Mary though was the mother of Jesus did not impose her will on Jesus. She rather persuaded Jesus with a plea and commitment to obey his instructions. Most of us do not use the right approach and language when we submit a need before God.
We approach God with indecency, force, demand, order to God rather than a plea. We are arrogant, proud and pompous without humility. We dictate to God what we want him to do for us and not what God wants from us also. Jesus taught us to pray saying thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Matthew 6:10. In the garden of Gethsemane he prayed saying, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt, Matthew 26:39.
We cannot rush Jesus or dictate to him when and how he should respond to our prayers. It has become the craze among some purported Christians in recent times where they carry sticks, clubs and sometimes other deadly weapons to churches or prayer camps to whip the devil. We deceive ourselves and our souls by these acts. Only gentle Jesus can intervene on our behalf and he does so by his power and authority beyond human imagination. Let our request be made to Jesus as a plea in humility in secret, Philippians 4:6. Jesus will then answer us, Matthew 6:6.
Prayer
Teach us Lord to know the way to go, the language to use and the acceptable composure in times of trouble that we may be pleasing in your sight to receive answers from you. Let me start my life with you that it may end well with us always. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!
