John 2 New Living Translation (NLT)

2 The next day[a] there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.[b] 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

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!”

11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

As our son was sitting with me this morning, singing his favorite song: “water you turned into wine….opened the eyes of the blind…there’s no one like you….none like you…..”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkljgA5SQc8

he abruptly turned and asked “why did He turn water into wine?” We then had a nice little chat about Jesus’ miracle at the wedding celebration in Cana. The hosts had run out of wine, which could have been a HUGE embarrassment, because the guests expected, as was custom, to be entertained and fed during the week-long festivities! When I asked our 6 year old  “why do you think they needed more wine?” he replied, matter of factly “they wanted something to drink.”

Yep. It was a party. They wanted wine people! (no, it wasn’t grape juice – it was alcohol. And as any college freshman would know, it’s not a real party without a little alcohol, is it?!).

Now, running out of wine would not have meant the end of the world, but it was important to the hosts, the bride and groom- and the guests, so it was important to Jesus.

Sometimes I fail to recognize that God uses social events & small acts of kindness to advance His Kingdom. When people come together as a group, there is opportunity to build relationships & share the gospel (this is why small groups are SO vital for the church). Now, I’m not saying we should throw a keg party for the neighborhood and try to win people over for Jesus, but we do need to be willing to hang out with sinners and fill their needs (whether physical or spiritual), just as Jesus did.

If we are willing, God can use us to change a person’s life with just a small act:

-Invite some families over for a cookout

-Give someone a gift card

-Take a meal to a new mom and dad

-Repair a leaking pipe for a friend

-Take a homemade goodie to your local firemen/women

-Chop firewood for someone to heat his or her home

-Attend a baby shower for a single mom

-Listen to a friend share about their crummy day

-Bake a loaf of bread for a new neighbor

-Babysit kids for a husband and wife to go on a date

-Fix an electrical issue for a friend

These simple things are just a few ways we can show love to others…..and you never know, what we do for them may just be the miracle they’ve been asking God for!

 

 

(Please note: I am not advocating drunkenness in this post-I was just trying to make a point! I believe what scripture says about drinking in excess: Ephesians 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…)