Becky Crenshaw

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.  When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”..

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”  And they filled them up to the brim.  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 his servants who had drawn the water knew), the master 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.” This, the first of his signs Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.  And his disciples believed in him.  John 2:1-2, 7-11

Can you scan over the history of your life and remember times of “greater blessing?”  Maybe you look back, longing for a season now past, and recall it being better than the one you are currently living.

I look back on seasons of my own life, maybe during early marriage, when life seemed easier.  Bills were not as big.  Responsiblilities were not as great.

I look back when my kids were smaller.  On days spent time singing “The Wheels On The Bus.”  But today, my silver Honda Odyssey is the bus, wheeling around much older and busier children.  I also remember periods of my Christian growth when the Bible felt new.  I was a redeemed, dry sponge soaking in new and fresh Living Water.  I was easily excited and energized by every Red Letter.  Now the Bible is more familiar to me, and for that I am eternally grateful.  But somedays I ask the Lord for the enthusiasm I experienced during that first year with Him.

Do you look back and long for times now past?

I was thinner then.

I was happier then.

My kids were easier then.

We had money then.

My marriage was stronger then.

I read the Bible.

Back then.

Sometimes, like the wedding guests at Cana, I  spin around with a glass empty, grieving because the first wine is running out.  I feel the party is coming to an end…

My kids are growing too fast.  The bills are piling too high.  Responsibility feels heavier.  Parenting is more complicated. Marriage is even harder.  And my metabolism is even slower. {Sigh}

But as I study this passage in John, I am reminded that I serve a Savior who saves the best wine for last.

I imagine a wedding party – the bride and groom dancing, family circled around cheering on the newly wed couple, and all the while, in the background, Jesus is pulling aside six large water jugs.  He asks a servant to fill them to the brim with water.  Jesus was working behind the scenes while no one is paying attention.  He was on a miracle mission to bless the wedding guests beyond measure.

Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.  v.8

The Lord’s goodness does not run out.  He does not bless our lives in abundance and then refill your glass with poor choice wine.

Don’t you see?

He is saving the best wine for later.

While the wedding party of your life seems to be drawing to an end, Jesus is working on your behalf, filling your empty water jars to the brim.  Waiting to reveal Himself in a new, fresh way.  A water into wine, way.  Even when you are not paying attention – he is working a miracle for you that is beyond measure.

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from, the master of the feast called the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine  But you have kept the food wine until now.” v.9-10

There is no need to look back to the past and long for a different season.  Will you dare to believe with me that Jesus is saving your best wine for later?

Today, are you in a rut looking back to “better times?”

Be of courage, my friend.  He is filling your empty jar to the brim.  Your cup will over flow again, and this time it will be choice wine.  The riches of His blessing ever increasing.

Our job?  To recognize who it is filling our cup.  Isn’t it our nature to live unaware of God’s provision?  Even the master of the wedding feast tried to thank and give credit to the wrong bridegroom.

But there is only ONE to thank... The Bridegroom Himself, Jesus.  Our miracle maker.

This morning, examine your heart for disappointment.  Where has the wine run out?  Will you hold out the cup of your life and ask your Bridegroom to help you look forward with hope?  Ask Him to fill your glass to over flow with even better wine.  And then, will you dare to believe… that – He – will.

Father, THANK YOU that your love never runs out.  Thank you that Your blessing never stops.  Thank you that Your goodness never ends.  From now until the end of the age,  You are always the same.  My beginning and my end.  Give me the grace to believe in greater blessing.  Strengthen my faith today to trust You for my future.  Thank you that you are a God who does immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine and everyday You are working on my behalf.  Thank you, Lord.  Thank you. In Jesus Name.  Amen. 

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.  

Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

 Isaiah 43:18-19