PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal
What do you do when something you want runs out? I had the joy of putting together a Walmart+ pick-up order before Thanksgiving, and they were out of the Original Baked Lay’s my wife enjoys. They offered a replacement item, Lay’s Kettle Cooked Original. No thanks, I’ll pass. They are nothing alike, though I would have accepted the Cheddar and Sour Cream version, should they have offered it.
Sometimes a replacement can be made, but other times, the replacement isn’t going to be nearly as good as what you originally wanted. It’s like receiving a regular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup when the Trees are what you wanted to grab, but the kids have eaten them all.
But what if you ran out of drinks at a party? Kids get upset if we don’t have Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, or Orange Fanta, or whatever their favorite “Coke” is. Yes, I'm from Texas, and everything is a “Coke.” Normal conversation, “You want a Coke?” “Sure.” “What kind?” Dr Pepper.” And, no, Mr. Pibb, Pibb Xtra, or anything else is not a worthy substitute, though Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling Company, since renamed Dublin Bottling Works, had to quit making the Imperial Cane Sugar version at the insistence of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, since renamed Keurig Dr Pepper.
When it is a feast that runs out of wine, that is doubly sad. After all, the Scriptures say that wine was given “to gladden the hearts of man” (Psalm 104:15). We see how many of the saints of old drank to their excess, but a little wine is good, especially to relieve the stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). Not everything in little amounts is good in large amounts, especially when they don’t use it as they should (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
Mary sees the problem for the young married couple; they have run out of wine. She knows that the marriage feast is supposed to continue, so she turns to Jesus to ask Him for help. We should all turn to Jesus, asking for help, but we are proud, stubborn, and don’t like to admit that we need help. Or, perhaps, you are not like me. I don’t like asking for help, thinking that I can tackle any task, be it moving a fridge almost by myself, as kids can’t always be relied upon, or trying to change a dirty diaper. Well, that last one used to be true, but with lots of practice, you can tackle almost any task.
We should all turn to Jesus, not just for the big things but for the little things as well. We should turn to Him because we need what He has done, does, and will do. He has done some wonderful things, including dying and rising for our sins and giving us His life. He does amazing things in our day, granting healing and health as we lift up those who are sick and suffering. He will do miraculous things as He will raise all the dead and usher those who cling to Him to eternal life.
It may seem like a small thing, turning water into wine, but it was a big relief to the bridegroom as he was supposed to ensure enough provisions for the party that lasted for days. With the wine coming to an end, the festivities would wrap up too soon, the friends would be upset, and the bride’s family would think that he was inconsiderate of the union. Yet it is a big thing how Jesus turns water into wine. And not just any wine, but well-aged wine, the best of the best, is what Jesus provides. He knows this bridegroom would have brought shame into the new marriage, so He provides for them.
It is also a big thing because it is a miracle. A miracle, by some definitions, is a breaking of the ordinary course of events or activities from the so-called laws of nature, really the laws that God has put into this creation, and is said to be supernatural or divine in nature. Since the Divine One, God in the flesh, is there, of course, it is a miracle as He is the One working all things to the good of those who love Him. It is out of great love for His mother and devotion to the Father of all that Jesus does this miracle.
Others will talk about how life is a miracle. Still others will mention that recovery from sickness is a miracle. Learning to walk is a miracle for others. This is to bring miracles down to the common. Miracles, by definition, are not everyday occurrences. Miracles are the superabundant blessings of God working out in the lives of His people. Miracles are not so common in our day, no matter what some might claim, but they were common in the days of God walking in the flesh as He provided miracles to people who needed His help.
