8-28-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing in the Holy Bible is an accident. Every word of Scripture has application to our lives. That we are not nomads or shepherds is irrelevant. Truth, sin, purity, love, and God\u2019s sovereignty are matters as pertinent to us today as to any people through past centuries and many lands. The smallest details are as important as the larger narratives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that perspective I invite a look at the first of Jesus\u2019s miracles. In the second chapter of John\u2019s Gospel we have the account of the Wedding Feast at Cana. It is where Jesus turned water into wine as the feast ran short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the first of Jesus\u2019s recorded miracles. We may marvel, as the wedding couple and the guests did. The important point is to focus on the miracle, not specifically the wine (for all its symbolism, I suppose Jesus might have made a miracle at the wedding feast of bread or fish or\u2026 wait; that\u2019s for later). But The miracle itself was intended to impress the guests. Jesus\u2019s actions have significance. His presence as a \u201cmere\u201d guest affirms His own humility, the “servant king.” And so forth.
But let us pause with those who focus on the role of wine at this event. Many people \u2013 and multiplied-more others \u2013 have lives that are scarred by alcohol abuse. It was the case in my family, and probably the same with most of you readers. It is a weakness in the human condition; and although specific to wine and liquor, I am persuaded that many people are basically addicted to being addicted; alcohol is the tendency or \u201cflavor\u201d or option of many self-destructive life-choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virtually every addict, no matter the frequency or pleasure of the \u201chighs,\u201d regrets the addiction\u2026 sometimes (or repeatedly) seeks release\u2026 grieves over the consequences. Relationships, jobs, family, career, health, life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stick with me, please. The focus of the Water-Into-Wine miracle should not be the food or wine, nor even the miracle itself\u2026 but the Miracle-Maker<\/em>. No, that is spiritual immaturity. In the case of our focus here, sometimes for addicts the greatest miracle is not to be free of the alcohol… but rather to become addicted to Jesus. \u201cI\u2019ll take it from here, God\u2026\u201d is self-swindling. A greater personal \u201covercoming,\u201d a greater miracle, is to change our lives that we learn to be dependent, not independent. To be dependent on Jesus instead of the bottle, our own wills. + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us say that you have an addiction. We all do, in myriad ways, even to the common addictions to sinning, transgressing, pride, not fully serving God. Many believers \u2013 and I address well-meaning Christians \u2013 often pray that we be freed from bondage to this or that temptation. But those prayers are often in this context: \u201cHelp me be strong, Lord, that I can battle these problems. Watch me!\u201d
As God reads our well-meaning hearts, we often mean: \u201cGet me to that point, Lord, where I can resist these challenges on my own.\u201d And it\u2019s likely we really mean: \u201cI want You to be proud of me, Lord. Give me wisdom and strength that I can overcome these temptations by myself.” And we are in effect wanting to get to the point of saying, \u201cThank you, Lord! I will take over from here!\u201d
That\u2019s spiritual maturity, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us never forget the Biblical reminder that \u201cwe can do nothing<\/em> except through the Christ who strengthens us.\u201d Remember that Jesus wants to run with us, not watch us hand off the baton and then cheer from the bleachers. Why did God send the Holy Spirit except to be our constant Guide and Comforter and Wisdom and Strength?
Was Christ\u2019s work on the cross something that we should regard as \u201cfinished\u201d when we<\/em> think we<\/em> know how much to receive from it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are impressed by the account of that miracle at the Wedding Feast, turning water into wine. In our own lives it would not be a matter of weakness, but of strength, if we were to plead for a different miracle. Many things we simply cannot do on our own. God, please turn the wines of our lives \u2013 our tendencies to sin; our disobedience; our addictions \u2013 back into water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n