Lent Devotional Day 4

Day 4
Saturday, February 25


John 2:1-12

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They don’t have any wine.”

4 Jesus replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet.”
5 His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby were six stone water jars used for the Jewish cleansing ritual, each able to hold about twenty or thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter,” and they did. 9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.

The headwaiter called the groom 10 and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.” 11 This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this, Jesus and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and stayed there for a few days.


Reflection

Some things are very different now than in Jesus’s day and some things are not. The setting of this scripture is pretty familiar: a wedding where the guests are
celebrating with some wine! Lots of people know the end of this story – that Jesus turns water into wine, his first miracle. But what sticks out to me is that before the miracle happens, a very “human” interaction occurs. In verses 3-5, when Mary tells Jesus that they’re out of wine, he replies “What does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet!” Perhaps he was deep in conversation, not wanting his Mom to butt in and tell him what to do. Wisely, Mary doesn’t argue with him – she simply says to the servants “Do whatever he tells you.” She leaves it with him to decide.

Have you ever had a moment like this, where a friend, a mentor, a parent (or even God) has pointed out an opportunity, has nudged you to take a step? I’m going to call this a “Mary moment” – an opening of a door, and invitation to take a step. I’ve certainly had many “Mary moments” when I did not step through that open door, but here’s one where I did. About 15 years ago, a friend nudged me to incorporate my faith into my work as a professional theatre artist. My first
response was “What do you mean? That’s not who I am! My theatre life is here
and my faith life is there.” But after thought and prayer (and connecting with other Christian theatre artists in St. Louis), I developed Mustard Seed Theatre, whose mission was to explore issues of faith and social justice. That step led me into moments of ministry I couldn’t have imagined.


Can you think of a “Mary moment” in your life? How did you respond?


Prayer

Lord, thank you for your prevenient grace, which is around me, preparing
the way. Help me have open ears and eyes and the courage to step through new
doors. Thank you for the people in my life who encourage me to be your hands,
heart and feet in this world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

By Deanna Jent