Water to wine was just for starters
John 2: 9-10 9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
I imagine it’s fitting that the first of Jesus’ many miracles breaks an accepted social norm. Throughout his ministry he would speak and live in a way counter to what was typical. In fact his death on the cross came as a result of the fears of the purveyors of what was accepted who saw his ministry and following as a threat to their authority, their position. We’re not much different today.
Certainly we’re not nailing people to crosses if they are bold enough to support an upsetting of our apple cart but too often we seek to put them and their ideas down. We destroy their movement or ideas of change because we fear we have no place in the new way things might be done. Or, we’re too enamored of our own comfortable, easy and familiar methods and simply don’t want to make the effort to change. Too often we don’t even share the surprise or wonder the master of ceremonies shows at the good things that might come our way if we accept change.
Although he didn’t know the source of his good fortune, the m.c. could appreciate the unexpected gift he received. As the scripture says, the servants knew and Jesus’s disciples knew and this knowledge could have done no less than solidify them as true followers. It’s interesting and encouraging to me that the lowly servants were privy to the story behind the good things everyone at the party was enjoying.
Today, our good news is that because we serve the Lord and we are followers of Jesus we know that our reward at the end of this earthly existence is eternal life. Along the way we know that others will benefit from the good works we perform just as the servants filled the vessels with the water that became wine. We know that some, like the master of ceremonies, will enjoy and perhaps even be amazed by their luck and yet never know why nor where it has befallen them. It is our additional charge then, to let them know, to pray that they become followers. It’s our job as servants to show them the good news and the promise of salvation.
Sometimes we resist some pretty good things if you think about it. Other times we’re the beneficiary of some awfully fortunate stuff whose source we’re oblivious of. It’s almost like we have a real misplaced sense of examination, huh?
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