Life-spark: Obedience is fuel for a miracle. – John 2:5-10
Jesus did His first recorded miracle at a wedding. Weddings were very important in the Jewish culture. They were actually a week-long celebration, filled with joy and laughter and wine. The groom’s family was usually responsible for providing the wine. Scholars say that running out of wine before the week was over was legal grounds for a lawsuit.
Jesus’ mother might have been a close friend of the bridegroom’s family. Maybe that is why she got involved and tried to get Him involved as it became obvious they were running out of wine. She went to the servants and gave them five words of advice that are still great advise for you and me today: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5, NIV)
They did. He told them to fill six stone jars with water, and “they filled them to the brim.” (John 2:7, NIV) He told them to dip some water out and take it to the master of the banquet, and they did exactly as He said. An amazing thing happened. When the master of the banquet sipped from the cup, he tasted top quality wine. This was the best wine, which was usually served first at a wedding.
The meaning of the miracle is two-fold. On the surface, Jesus saved someone’s reputation and made for a merrier wedding. Below the surface, Jesus demonstrated the fact that most miracles are primed with acts of obedience. The servants filled the jars to the brim and took the liquid to the master of the wedding. Two acts of obedience preceded the Lord’s first miracle.
So it was with most of the miracles Jesus presided over. “Look at me.” “Come here.” “Seat the people.” “Go dip in the pool.” “Take up your mat.” God’s power is 99% of a miracle, but my obedience is usually the other 1%. Without Him, I can’t. Without me, He won’t.
One minute life-action: Write this on a piece of paper and put it on your bedside stand or bathroom mirror: “Do whatever He tells you.” Tonight, before you go to bed, try to think of one time when you heard His voice and obeyed “to the brim.”