Today’s Reading: John 2:7-10 (NIV)
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned to wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
Memory Verse: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 ESV)
Good day!
Do you like to host parties? Jeff and I attended several Christmas open houses and a lavish wedding last month. Every party had been meticulously planned. One cannot help but feel a sense of genuine hospitality and welcome when we stop to recognize and appreciate the detail and effort that is placed in the planning and preparation of a special event. You are the honored guest, and every minute detail is offered for your benefit and enjoyment.
As the host or hostess of an upcoming event, you may spend months in advance, planning the menu, preparing invitations, purchasing party favors and gifts, and selecting the entertainment. If you are hosting the party in your home, cleaning and decorating becomes a top priority. Many people work tirelessly to remove every speck of dust from the furniture, polishing their floors and wiping down windows and woodwork. There is nothing more welcoming than to enter a clean space, arrayed in holiday trim.
Have you ever run short on food or drink at a party you were hosting? We have found that our family and friends all have very strong opinions about their choice of drink. My husband and sister-in-law only drink Pepsi products. My mother and father-in-law will drink soda IF they are caffeine-free. My grandchildren generally don’t consume soda; they prefer Bug Juice or Chocolate milk. Bug juice, for those who do not know, is glorified sugar water in a variety of colors. If you’ve never had a bug juice to drink, you are missing out on a very sweet treat! It doesn’t take long to realize that party drinks can become an expensive venture! I may not be the gracious hostess I once was. I used to fret over whether I had purchased enough variety to please everyone who came to visit. Now, I simply serve coffee, tea, lemonade and ice water and pray no one dies of excessive thirst and/or caffeine withdrawal. I have a lot to learn a lot from the Lord’s miracle at the wedding in
Why do you think Jesus turned the water into wine? I believe it had more to do with quenching spiritual thirst. Jesus knew, while meeting the physical needs of the wedding party, He could transform souls. The guests obviously were not going to die of thirst. After all, they had clean water, and lots of it to drink. The party had gone on for hours, and most of the guests had been drinking heavily for some time. It might have ended a little sooner had the master of the event not had any more wine to serve his guests, and yet, Christ saw the greater need. He created a complete transformation of water to wine, right before the servants’ eyes. Jesus performed this first of many miracles right in front of the servants, but the host and the bridegroom didn’t even realize what had happened. Pure water became living water, the kind of drink that quenches soul thirst forever. The host was surprised that the bridegroom had saved the best drink for last. What an amazing gesture of hospitality!
There is no doubt that our Lord reserves His best for last. With extraordinary love, Christ gave everything He had to save the world. He offered His flesh and blood as a sin offering for all who believe. He promises to prepare a special place for His people. There is a banquet being prepared right now for you and for me. It will be a party like nothing we’ve ever experienced here, and I can guarantee you, His fountain of living water will never run dry.
This is one party you do not want to miss. Come and experience Christ’s best. He offers it to every soul who chooses to repent and place their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC -
Lord Jesus, thank you for saving the best for last. Quench my thirst with living water today. Amen.
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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding
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