Just another traveler on life’s highway hanging out in the slow lane. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. Beyond the horizon is rest calling my name. Green pastures, still waters, my cup is overflowing.
“I’m sorry, we are out of wine. Would you like a cup of water or perhaps fermented goat’s milk?”
“Noooooooooooooooo.” Undoubtedly, the scream echoed through the hills and valleys of Galilee as the feast master in charge of the wine supply realized his calculations for the wedding’s needs were misjudged. His reputation throughout Israel would be ruined. Nobody would hire him to cater their wedding after this fiasco at Cana.
And then Jesus, having been summoned by his mother, saved the day by turning six stone pots each filled with 20 to 30 gallons of water into vessels filled with wine. When the wine was tested by the ruler of the wedding feast he went to the bridegroom saying, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:10 NIV)
The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reveal to us the miracles performed by Jesus as recorded in the ancient manuscripts. Turning water into wine was the first miracle of Jesus’ ministry occurring three days after Nathaniel became a follower. John 2:11 tells us that this “was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed him.”
“He did whaaat?” Had I lived then and one of my neighbors who attended that wedding at Cana told me about some yahoo preacher man turning about 150 gallons of water into wine, I am certain my doubting Thomas nature would have replied, “You’re out of your mind. What were you smoking up there at Cana?”
Many people today say they don’t believe in miracles. They also deny Jesus, God, and eternity. Years ago I was one of those people. I wanted to be an atheist, tried to be an agnostic and failed miserably at both. If God did not exist why was I on my knees in a drunken stupor begging God to heal me? If Jesus was just a myth like Santa Claus why did I talk to him like a friend when I wanted to end my life?
Yes I believed, but I refused to accept my miracle. It was right there in front of me for years , but I was not done with the pain and self-loathing. I wanted to beat up on myself for a while longer. It gave me satisfaction to be a victim. The floor of my bottom had a trap door that I wanted to explore. Let’s kick me around and refuse my miracle a little bit longer.
But, you see, the God which I rejected did not give up. Every night on my knees in a drunken stupor, God held my hand listening to me, comforting me, showing me the way to accept grace and mercy. I tearfully forgave myself and accepted life, eternal life. Miracles still happen today. I claimed mine. Millions of others like me, addicts and drunks clean and serene, are each and every one the story of a miracle.
“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed him.” (John 2:11 NIV)
I believe him too.
lpb quest - the twilight dance 