Invite Jesus and Do the Next Right Thing

Reading Time: 6 Minutes

Be sure to invite Jesus to your next gathering.

John 2.1-2 – On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

There is no indication that Jesus and his followers brought a gift to the wedding. It is possible that their presence put a strain on the wine supply.

Even though John speaks of no gifts, we know that Jesus, the greatest Gift of All, was there.

A good question for us is whether we look for the presence of the greatest Gift of All at our events, or do we look for other lesser gifts?

Mary teaches a lesson on prayer

John 2.3 – When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

Mary’s lesson on prayer was to simply bring the need to the attention to Jesus and leave it up to him to solve it.

In no way did Mary attempt to persuade Jesus with motherly words. Neither did she offer to help him with wine problem. She simply told him the need, confident he could and would solve it.

Let’s bring our needs to Jesus in simple faith, leaving the outcome to the One who loves us and is able to help.

Do the next right thing.

John 2.4-5 – And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Jesus’ rebuke of his mother seems strange. However, as we read the entire Gospel of John, we will see that he has a greater purpose in speaking as he did with her.

There are times when Jesus actions seem problematic to us. Just as in this Gospel, we need to wait to discover his wisdom in how things are going.

Mary’s words, “Do whatever he tells you,” is profoundly appropriate for all occasions. It is as though she counsels us, “Do the next right thing.”

The significance of seven “filled to the brim” vessels

John 2.6-11 – Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it.

9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “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.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

In Jewish numerology six is the number of something that is less than complete. There were six jars for Jewish ritual purification. They were filled to the full. The seventh vessel was full and contained the best wine of all. Seven is the number of completion. Thus, Jesus has fulfilled all of the Old Testament promises and he brings the very best God has for us.

The witness of place, time, and people

John 2.12 – After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.

One of the great truths about God is that he is personal. Jesus clearly displays this fact. When we see Jesus, he tells us what God is like. He comes to where we live and we are able to relate to him in a very real and personal way.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, thank you that we can relate to you as our very best friend. Thank you that we can bring our needs to you and leave them with you. Please help us all to simply do what Jesus tells us to do. Thank you.

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