Six Steps Out Of Lack (Each Of The Six Could Be Part Of A Series.)

Eleven Precious Verses open the story.

John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him

This particular story is an unusual inclusion in the scripture. It is in the last gospel written. John – now an old fellow. He wrote 40 years after Christ had ascended and after he had been born again.

Throughout the book of John, the primary focus is on the divinity and identity of Christ.

This story seems minor to take up eleven precious verses of scripture.

Yet, it was the beginning of Christ’s miracles.

Let’s take an expositional journey. (Note to user: what is in parenthesis within the passage is my expansion of the text based on minimal language research.)

John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they (following the rules regarding pronouns the “they” refers to Jesus and his disciples) wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

The wedding feast was lacking.

An embarrassment to bride, groom and their parents.

Their wedding would be remember for years to come. The wedding where they ran out of wine.

If Jesus and his disciples were going unserved, then any at the wedding would also be turned away.

The cup of every celebrant would be empty, because: They have no wine.

The word – “lack” describes the situation.

No substitute would appease. This was not an occasion where water for the thirsty would suffice.

The wine was connected to the celebration of this important event.

Nothing else would do.

There was a lack. Neighbor. I’ve known what it is to lack some things.

If we will talk about lack – let’s talk about a lack of peace, lack of deliverance,

lack of the knowledge of eternal salvation, lack of joy, lack of hope and strength.

An emptiness. The sense of being a memorable failure.

It is the lack in the inner man. Self-loathing.

A despair you are unable to express.

You live in a panic of “lack.” Not for the short time of a wedding feast – but each day there is the reality of lack.

Your life is no longer a celebration. Something is missing.

Jesus mother responded to the humiliating lack of wine, even enough for Jesus and his handful of followers, Ignoring Jesus’ statement, “My time is not yet come,”

Instead: 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

She called the servants to obedience. In that phrase there are three key principles of obedience to get out of the poverty of spirit that defines your life.

#1 - Whatsoever – Give attention to all He says.

You may not understand or be able to fully explain what is happening, but “Whatsoever he saith . . . do it.” In your emptiness, have you done whatsoever He said?

#2 - She qualifies her directive: Whatsoever He saith. There was only one voice to give attention too. HE saith! If the instruction of someone else countered the word from Christ – obey Him.

Are you listening and responding to too many voices. Pinballing your way through life. Why not hear what He saith – and obey that.

#3 There obedience was to be specific – Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. Not something like it. Don’t do halfway. What you consider “good enough.”

Whatsoever he saith, “do it.” Too many expect their lack to be eliminated by half-way obedience to the Lord. It never works that way. Do it! All the way.

John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith (two times Jesus speaks) unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them (Lessons in obedience: They acted immediately. There was no delay.) up to the brim. (they obeyed completed. Jesus said fill the waterpots with water. That is exactly what they did – they filled them to the brim.) 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.