Pastor’s Corner – January 19, 2025
Time to Step Up/John 2:2-11
I love this story of the wedding at Cana. It’s a wedding banquet where the wine runs out and Mary is concerned how that may affect the celebration and shares this with Jesus, her son, to do something about it. Here we see Jesus and his mother Mary’s interaction. Jesus is not happy that he is pushed into a situation to respond to a need. “What does that have to do with you or me, that wine has run out?” It’s not my problem Mom, or yours! Besides, it’s not my time yet to demonstrate my power. So, the story goes. Mary simply ignores Jesus’ timing and turns to the servants and instructs them to follow whatever Jesus decides to do. We know what happens next. The wine is overflowing. Jesus turns six jars totaling 120 gallons of water into wine! And this wine will beat the best of Sonoma or Napa Valley. When served, the master of ceremony says, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk, but you have kept the good wine until now!”
Now before we get caught up with the party and the fact that Jesus demonstrates for gospel John his power and identity as messiah in this way, I want to focus on Mary, how without her concern and discomfort she caused, the miracle of wedding at Cana would not have happened. The consequence of this event moved his followers to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Mary saw a need before her. She had a choice either to ignore it or respond by creating a space for Jesus to step up. Yes, you read this right. Mary knew Jesus and his capacity to resolve the situation. When we look around our world, our community, our family and so many places in our lives, there are great needs. However, our resources are depleting and there is only so much we can do. We look around and can relate with Jesus, “What does that have to do with you or me?” Let’s not get involved, there is only so much we can do or have the funds or resources. Mary, on the other hand, with grit and tenacity tells the servant to follow Jesus. Her faith comes through. The story of Wedding at Cana, is the power of faith, Mary’s faith and trust that in times of need, what seems impossible can be possible, if only we step up and God will meet us there in times of need. Maybe this story is for us, as we struggle sometimes wondering whether we have the budget or resources for this year or enough people to volunteer or are concerned that the burn out rate is high. We have our limitations, but maybe we do have six jars of water and are called to follow Jesus’ instruction. Let’s take a lesson from Mary this Sunday. Amen.
Pastor Dae