19 JULY

THE GOOD WINE

“Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.” (John 2:7)

Let us indulge our imaginations with the assumption that this happened in year 2015. Just as guests thought the wedding party was winding down, one of the popular gospel musicians took the centre stage to a thunderous ovation from the guests. The couple looked resplendent in their exquisite traditional attire. Shortly after they began to dance to the melodious tunes, the arrival of the state governor, some senators and their entourage was announced.
The wedding planner was beside herself. There was still a lot of food but no more wine. What a disgrace that would be to this prestigious family! They had freely served everyone without discrimination. At that time of the night, all shops were closed. Moreover, a lot of the choice drinks had been bought in Lagos and transported to the village. The servants were running helter-skelter to no avail.

Fortunately, Jesus and his mum, Mary, had been invited. Mary was the bride’s aunt and was in charge of supervision. Mary drew Jesus’ attention to the confusion. Just at a corner of the tent were six water dispensers with the full refills on the floor. Calmly Jesus asked the servants to fix the refills in the dispensers. The servants grudgingly obeyed Jesus because Mary had strictly instructed them to. They were looking for wine, not water.
The next instruction sounded even more ridiculous: “Fill the wine decanters from the dispensers and take to the wedding planner.” Only one servant was discerning and courageous enough to obey. He filled one of the golden decanters that had been specially ordered to serve the wine on this occasion. The others reluctantly followed at a distance.
Heaving a sigh of relief and delight, the planner declared, “This is a very special brew, where did you find it?” Without waiting for an answer, she took it to the chairman. When the chairman tasted the water now become wine, he said, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the best wine until now.”

ACTION: Have you invited Jesus into your life and every situation?
Are you discerning and obedient?

PRAYER: Lord God, as I make Jesus the Shepherd of my life, keep me from shame and disgrace, and make my life a testimony to your omnipotence.