It appears as if
Jesus, all of a sudden, jumps into action as a result of his mother's
instructions to the wedding servants.
Someone has to do something. So
Jesus does. His mother's insistence pays
off. But I am not sure even Mary is prepared
for what is about to happen. She will
not be the first or last person to be amazed by God's response to a petition
from one of His children in need.
Jesus makes an
unusual request. He asks the help to
take the six jars that are sitting by the wall and fill them with water. That's it.
Fill the jars with water. He did
not explain himself. He offered no
up-front strategic plan to address the bibbing crisis. He just makes a request--straightforward and
specific. "Fill the
jars." And to the servants' credit,
they do as Mary had asked; they do whatever her son asks--apparently without
launching any questions about Jesus' petition or intent. Remember these jars were used for washing
hands and feet at the beginning of the festivities-- before the meal. But they move and just do it.
I must confess that
I don't like the words, "Just do it," Nike notwithstanding. There is a chip inside me that is prone to
question and challenge commands. Life
has taught me however, there are times that require a response without
hesitation. As an educator I was known
for telling my students to do as they were told, unless the request was
"illegal, immoral, or dangerous."
Schools work better when students obey teachers. In an emergency, knowing how to respond
immediately without question might even save a life—perhaps
your own! Is providing wedding wine an
emergency? It is to the wedding
hosts. I have learned over my many years
that there are moments in life when I just have to do what God tells me to
do. It might not make sense at the
moment-- but that specific scenario calls for trust and obedience to Someone
who knows best. There may be times to
negotiate like Abraham, or set out "fleece" like Gideon. This day in Cana, apparently is not one of
those days.
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