I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (AMP)
Jesus’s first recorded miracle is found in the second chapter of the book of John. The story is familiar, where Jesus turns the water into wine. Jesus, Mary (His mother), and His disciples were in attendance when they ran out of wine. Mary then goes to Jesus and says to Him, “They have no more wine.” This is an interesting way to address the problem that Mary wanted to help rectify. She didn’t ask Jesus to fix it or tell Him how to fix it, it was an implied request. She indicated to me that she was assured that He would solve the issue and He didn’t need her help with suggestions of how to do it. Jesus’s reply, “Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” In a cursory reading of Jesus’s response, He seems not inclined to help. But Mary turned to the servants and said, “Do whatever He tells you.” She knew He would deliver but again she did not know how. I have a picture in my mind of this scene. Mary quietly states the obvious to Jesus concerning the wine, she gets a somewhat cold response, turns, and walks away, leaving Jesus to do what she knows Jesus can do.
The servants do precisely as Jesus instructs them, filling up the jars with water and taking it to the master of the banquet. As the master sips the water it turns into the best wine of the event. Of course, it was the best! Jesus is not going to create some off-label, cheap wine. He always gives His best. Turning the water into wine was miraculous and solved the issue Mary presented to Jesus. But verse eleven tells the whole story as to why. “He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him.” Yes, an embarrassing crisis was averted and everyone went on to enjoy the celebration, but Jesus’s intention was not to make His mother happy and ensure the party continued. The miracle was to bring the disciples to a place of undeniable faith in who Jesus was. It is also a great example of how we should respond when we bring our requests, cried out or implied, before the throne of Jesus.
The wine jugs running dry were of no surprise to Jesus. And our trials are not a surprise to Him either. But He wants us to bring them to Him, just like Mary did. And just like Mary, when we lay them down at His feet, we turn and do what He tells us to do and wait in expectant assurance that He will deliver in His way and His timing. He does not need suggestions from us on how to fix the problem. He can reach down and smooth every bump in the road, but He doesn’t. Why? Psalm 40 gives us the answer. “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord” (Psalms 40: 2-4). And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.
The wine cup picture was taken during my trip to Israel at the Garden Tomb.