John 2:8-10 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus’ first miracle is laden with various truths, not the least of which was his willingness to answer his mother’s unspoken plea. If you read the previous verses carefully, you will notice that Mary never asked Jesus to do anything, but only mentioned that the hosts had run out of wine. Most likely, although the bible does not say so specifically in this case, He knew what her intent was and chose to engage rather than to ignore, despite the fact that his “hour had not yet come” (v. 4). Mary submits to whatever comes next and simply tells the servants to do whatever her son tells them to. What a fascinating interaction! The King of the Universe being nudged by his earthly mother, and in an act of grace, He chooses to satisfy rather than deny.
The actual miracle itself is just as interesting. After directing the servants to fill the six large jars with water, Jesus merely tells them to draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. He made no announcement about what had happened or was about to happen, but simply chose to work through human actions and human faith to perform His first miracle. What would you have done as one of those servants? Did the water become wine in the clay pots? The next command would have been easy, but what if the water had yet to become wine? Would you have questioned this oddly authoritative carpenter/guest, or would you have simply obeyed his command and taken a glass of water to the master of the house, hoping he would not be infuriated? I have no idea. Maybe the transformation was at the very last moment in the passing of the cup! We simply do not know. What we do know is they had enough faith in Jesus to simply trust and obey.
Finally, when Jesus gets involved with your life, He will always create the very best of what is needed for your sanctification. It may not be like a glass of the finest wine—and perhaps it will even be bitter—but it will be what is best. Not just good. Not better. Best. The world gives its best first, but it is lacking. Sin gives its best first, but it only leads to sorrow, poverty, disgrace, and ruin. “Christ gives first the cross, the race, the battle; then the crown, rest, and glory” (D.L. Moody). Jesus will always give us more than we deserve, and more than we expect. Some will come sooner, but all will come later. Do you have the faith to simply trust and obey? Will you choose to pick up that cup and do with it whatever the Lord asks of you? Do you want good? Better? Or best?
