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Cheap Wine vs. Jesus-The End of Thirst
Okay, so it has been almost two months since I posted my last blog. Oops. Between taking two vacations, not having WiFi at my house, and switching jobs I have been pretty busy. I like to have a clear mind when I write, but with school starting back last week I don't know if that will be possible for a while. Thank you for all the feedback on the first blog. It made me feel so encouraged and I knew that I done the right thing by launching it. There are many reasons why I did not want to start a blog. It was a risk. I thought to my self , "What if no one reads it?" "I am no writer" "I have horrible grammar" "People won't respond" "I have to post a lot to be a blogger" Just so many negative thoughts ran through my head, but after the first one I knew God was going to bless this small ministry. I have always loved the setting of a small groups and just getting to know other women on a deep level. I just know I am not consistent right now to start my own. So, for now this is how I am going to reach women. I hope wherever you are with your walk with God that this touches you and he uses the words I write to touch your heart.
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So, I am going to write again on a chapter from Jeannie Allen's book Proven. It is a study through the book of John. This chapter focuses on John 2:1-12.
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine
2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]
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 into 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.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the sign sthrough which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothersand his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
In these days, wedding ceremonies lasted many days and they were hosted by the groom's family. It was likely that Mary was related to the family so that is why she felt guilty for the mistakes. Running out of wine would have been an embarrassment to the family. Jesus was calm and His priority was to provide for his people. This is was Jesus' first miracle that He performed and this would help the people understand His identity and His purpose. He was bringing a new way and He launched His ministry in this moment with a symbol. Water into wine. He chose to turn the water found in ceremonial religious jars into wine for a wedding. But this wasn't just the Barefoot wine you buy at your local supermarket. This was like the good wine you find at The Biltmore House (only winery I have ever went to.) The very best wine.
"Is it possible that the reason we are so unfulfilled, even those of us that follow Jesus, is that we are still going to religious jars or drinking cheap wine, when the new way and the new wine is fully available?" (Allen, Page 28)
Religious Jars vs. Jesus
You see, religion is a set of moral requirements of being accepted and measuring up. The religious jars symbolized a religious system at the time. It was symbolizing Jewish purification and man-made religion rather than the Old Testament ways. Jesus leaned in specifically to a symbol of their striving and working to earn God's favor. Have you ever done the same? I know I have. Constantly trying to work and strive to gain God's favor. I have tried to perform for God, rather than enjoy His goodness. By doing this, we begin to fear disappointing God, rather than in His steadfast love.
Religion constantly tells that we have to hit the mark and we must be awesome. I know I spent many years thinking I had to be perfect. That I had to walk, talk, act, dress, and live a certain way to earn God's love. As soon as I messed up it left me feeling guilty and unworthy of His love and favor. We let this happen because we are constantly going to the religious jars instead of the flowing delight and fulfillment of Jesus' new way.
Wine in the Bible is often used as a metaphor. It is one of the most meaningful metaphor when Jesus is near the end of His life at the final supper with His disciples. He poured the wine and said,
"17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
So what is the new covenant?
No more sin
No more measuring up
No more proving ourselves
The beginning of what we were made for - nearness to God.
Cheap Wine vs. Jesus
We were built to crave pleasure, joy, and happiness. God built us for it and when we don't find it in Him and come to the end of ourselves, we for something to numb our reality
I have tasted the cheap wine by looking for happiness in:
Staying Busy
Relationships
TV
My cell phone
Alcohol
Gossiping
Clothes
School
My job
Being a people pleaser
Hobbies
Church
Food
Material Items
Exercise
Perfection
You name it.
What is your cheap wine?
"As a culture, our God-given craving for fulfillment has driven us past God Himself, who was meant to be fulfillment of desires toward a drug that helps us cope with our discontentment and inadequacies; entertainment. We are addicted to it. We have a constant need to occupy our minds and our time with amusement. " (Allen, Page 30)
But just like cheap wine it will NEVER satisfy. We are wasting our time on the cheap wine when the very best wine is right in front of us. It is the most abundant, freeing, fully focused un-numb, joy-filled life. He offers delight and joy without us having to prove ourselves and measure up. Don't listen to the unrelenting voice of the enemy and choose the addictive and unfulfilling cheap wine. It is so peaceful knowing that my efforts mean nothing to God, He is the bread and life. The living waters. His love is free to me and I don't have to try to fulfill my emptiness with religious waters that I can have the very best. He didn't instruct us to "love the Lord your God" he instructed us to "love him with all our hearts, souls, and minds." Matthew 22:37
Digging Deeper:
Genesis 27:27-28
Deuteromony 7:13
Psalm 104:14-15
Eccelsiastes 9:7, 10:19
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Experiences:
Be:
This week take a break from electronics for 24 hours
Create:
Create an experience for your friends and family. Something fun, inexpensive, something you have never done or tried before and memorable.
Meditate:
Spend some time alone with God and read Psalm 63
Risk:
Sit down with someone close to you, a good friend, or family member, and ask them these questions:
Do I seem joyful to you?
If not, why do you think I'm not?
Do you see any patterns in my life that may be stealing my joy?
When have you seen me most fulfilled?
What is one thing I could change in the next month that would cause me to live more content?