Jesus: Would You Invite Him to Your Company Party?

23rd in a series on how men and women in the Bible

deal with waiting, disappointment and unemployment

 

Jesus: Would You Invite Him to Your Company Party?

Reflections on John 2:1-12

The company party has a rather unsavory reputation.  The culprit is most often the abuse of alcohol.  The attraction of strong drink is that it enables a person to relax, subdues the inhibitions and gives you something to do while engaging in what is often uncomfortable conversation.  The downside is that some relax too much, too many inhibitions are released and words are said that can never be taken back.  

With this cultural framework in mind we may approach the Scriptures with some skepticism as we discover that the multiplication of alcohol was Jesus’ first miracle.  Thus many would agree with the Pharisees, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”  But the mindset of the Pharisee had a double standard.  They didn’t like John the Baptist either, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.”  Make up your mind will you?

We estimate that Jesus was about thirty years old by this time and according to what we have recorded, he had not yet done a miracle.  He and his disciples(only 5 at this time) were invited to a wedding and we can assume that based on his socio economic status that these friends were not wealthy.  It may have been a stretch to have so many guests to a small affair such as this.  So, when they ran out of wine, it may have been their fault.  Jesus’ mother says to him, “They have no more wine”.  This could mean one of several things: 1) Your five disciples drank too much, 2) Could you go out and get some more, or as most people seem to think, 3) Do something miraculous and fix the situation.  But she could merely have been trusting that Jesus would politely apologize for the shortfall to the party goers and protect the reputation of the wedding couple.

This is where we begin to get a glimpse of the character of the Son of God.  There was nothing wrong with Mary expressing her desire for him to take care of the situation.  It’s sort of like a prayer asking God to do what he thinks is best.  Jesus does not draw attention to himself and make a public announcement declaring that he will indeed take care of the situation.  He quietly asks the servants to fill the available jars with water.  Water was always available for foot washing, ceremonial washing and general cleaning.  He doesn’t wave his hand over the jars saying ‘Abracadabra!’ but merely directs the servants to take it to the master of banquet.  But wait a minute!  Shouldn’t Jesus have tried it first to make sure it tasted alright?  If this is Jesus, Messiah, Son of God, the great I am, then as creator of the universe, he created wine and as Genesis 1 declares about anything he created, “it was good”.  

Only the servants and the disciples knew that it was Jesus who had done a miracle.  Jesus protected the reputation of the couple at the most important event in their married life.  The master of the banquet was impressed by this young couple’s ability to do what was counter cultural…to provide the best wine toward the end of the banquet.  Jesus honored his mother by taking care of the situation in a way that probably surprised her.  And the disciples had seen enough to put their faith in him.

What can we learn from this episode in the life of Jesus?  Are there qualities that we can emulate in our day-to-day life?  And looking toward the end of the year celebration, how will I behave at my next office party? :)

1. Like Mary, lay your requests before our Savior and leave the results to him.  
2. Serve your family or your company with humility.  Seek to enhance the reputation of others by serving them.
3. Seek to benefit your company through quiet service, honest hard work and a self-deprecating attitude.
4. Enjoy seeing others praised even if they get credit for something you did.
5. Work for the benefit of your company trusting that God will reward you for your hard work even if you are not recognized.
6. When we serve others we practice Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
7. We practice the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22,23 “…which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
8. We give people the benefit of the doubt.  1 Corinthians 10:23,24  “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, 

as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

Colossians 3:23