Setting the Stage
Read the Text: John 2
Memorize the Text: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
Consider the Text: John 2:1-12
When a Broadway play occurs, much preparation has occurred. The participants learn lines, songs, and motions. The musicians learn the music and the stage crew prepares the sets. When these components come together, the stage becomes set for the rehearsals and performances to take place. In John 2, the Apostle recounts Jesus’ first miracle. The scene surrounding the miracle is a wedding and the miracle is the familiar turning water into wine.
The crisis sets the stage for UNDERSTANDING MOMENTS OF NEED. The crisis arose at the wedding when the host ran out of wine. The issue meant that the host may become embarrassed because of poor planning and failing as a suitable host. Mary, the mother of Jesus, saw the crisis and immediately knew the solution to the crisis rested in Jesus. To the host, the crisis probably led to moments of discomfort and nervousness, but to Mary, she saw the solution.
Crisis in our lives has a way to lead us to respond must like the host of the wedding. The expectations of the world cause worry of embarrassment and can lead us to an unsettled moment in life. Such an approach gives the crisis too much authority and control in our life and causes us to live under stress. At the same time, Mary’s ability to see the answer to the crisis should challenge us to look to Jesus in the moment of crisis as the one who provides the needed solution and stability.
The response of Mary sets the stage for FOLLOWING JESUS WITHOUT RESERVATION. Mary told the people to follow Jesus by obediently doing everything he said. Mary did not know what Jesus would do, but she did trust that he could fix the crisis. Her concern did not center on the how, but on the who. She concerned herself with Jesus and knew he would respond accordingly. All she needed to do is make the request.
Like Mary, we can face the crises in life by trust and following Jesus. We do not need to respond and question the leading of the Lord but seek him and follow him each step of the way. Following Jesus ought to be done in faithfulness and not doubt. Often, we become skeptical of Jesus leading us because his ways do not always align with our thoughts and understandings. The critical component comes in the ability to trust him and follow him without reservation.
The response of Jesus sets the stage for HIS MINISTERIAL MARCH TO CALVARY. Jesus used this miracle as a moment to declare the ultimate victory of the resurrection though people did not understand. This miracle launched his march to Calvary where he would meet the need of our eternal and most significant crisis of sin and separation from the Lord. The turning of the water into the wine provided a small foretaste of what he would do on an eternal scale but reminds us of his goodness and work. Though the time for the cross had not come, Jesus set the stage for what would transpire over the next three years.
Jesus turned the water into the best wine. When the Lord works, his results are beyond anything we could ever imagine. He breaks the cultural norms because he is not bound by human limitations or regulations. This event sets the stage to help us understand the person and work of Christ and how we ought to respond properly to the Lord. sed land?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
