LEAVE IT TO JESUS

READ: John 2:1-11

ANSWER THIS: When was the last time you did something that made a really big mess of things?

THE BREAKDOWN

Jesus and his closest followers are invited to a wedding celebration. To visualize what they experienced that day, picture the reception that follows a modern-day wedding. Many wedding receptions these days include appetizers, dinner, a wedding cake, desserts, beverages, and dancing. This is the setting in which Jesus performs his first recorded miracle.

Somewhat reluctantly, Jesus responds to his mother’s appeal to help when the wedding host runs out of wine. Note that his mother didn’t specifically tell him to perform a miracle. She just points out the problem, then leaves it to Jesus to solve it. She fully trusts him to come up with a solution. Even though Jesus tells her it’s not his time, yet (possibly referring to a much bigger miracle he’ll perform at a later time), out of respect for his mother he chooses to help.

He has servants fill six large jars with water, each able to hold 20 to 30 gallons. Then he proceeds to change the water to wine. And, not just ordinary wine. According to the host, it was the best wine of the evening. Which was very unusual, in the host’s opinion. In his experience, most people serve a cheaper wine late in the evening, when guests’ tastes aren’t as picky. But, not in this case. The best was saved for last.

Mary didn’t know what to do about the wedding host’s problem, but she knew her son would. She trusted Jesus to have the perfect solution, and he did.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

In the late fifties and early sixties, when TV shows weren’t even in color, much less available on streaming devices, there was a popular show called “Leave it to Beaver.” In it, a boy named Beaver was constantly getting into trouble for some kind of comical misadventure. The title might not mean much to people these days, but today the title might have included “. . . to make a big mess of things,” accompanied by an eye roll.

In today’s reading, Mary, the mother of Jesus, in so many words tells the wedding host to “leave it to Jesus.” However, the message wasn’t delivered with an eye roll. It was said with utmost confidence that Jesus would know exactly what to do.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Too many times when we make a really bad choice that results in a really big mess, our tendency is to try and figure out how to fix it on our own. But, more often than not, that fails. We’d be better off going to Jesus in true humility, seeking forgiveness, and then asking, “So, what should I do now?” Don’t be surprised if you discover Jesus has already answered your question¾in the Bible.

PRAYER

"Dear God, please remind me when I’m at a loss as to what to do when I’ve made a real mess of things, to seek help from Jesus . . . as well as from a trusted friend who knows where to look in the Bible for Jesus’ advice."