"The Joy of the Feast"
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.”John 2: 1 - 11
4 “Woman, 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 signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 2: 1 - 11
A Thought From the Pastor
The Gospel of John is a truly beautiful and rich prologue into the riches of God’s plan and his intention for sending Christ into this broken world. We also get to view firsthand the calling of his disciples and his command to follow him.
This week we get to experience the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast and the request for wine and the subsequent miracle the Jesus performed. This miracle demonstrated how Jesus’s knowledge and connection to his purpose and plan for God are so different than what we seek everyday in life.
I would encourage you to bring “Your Water” to Jesus this week and see what he does with it. While we often expect Jesus to reveal His power through large, dramatic crises inside the walls of the church, Jesus chose to launch his public ministry and reveal His divine identity at a wedding feast. When we feel like our daily lives and routines are dry and monotonous, this scripture reminds us the Jesus can take our “watery” moments in life and show us his power and miracles.
Let’s not forget Jesus’s response to his mother in this passage. Jesus wants us to see the bigger picture of joy and the ultimate wedding feast. We will never find true joy in the “things” and “experiences” of this world. We are often tempted to focus on the joy of this broken world when God has prepared a place for us that will provide an everlasting joy. Jesus provides for our physical needs, but he reminded his mother that he came to save our souls from sin, death and eternal judgment.
Let’s be reminded that Jesus has saved the best for us at the end of this worldly life. If you’re seeking the ultimate joy in this world you will never find it. Let’s be a group of God’s people who bring our problems and strife to our God, but realize that true joy can never be found in this “earthly wedding feast.” We will all celebrate the ultimate wedding feast someday in heaven. Let’s not forget what the scripture says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb”
Prayerful Planning
- It’s Fair Time! We will be at the Emmet County Fair this week serving meals to the fair workers and community. The time at the fair provides some of the financial resources for our Community Kitchen and Food Pantry ministries. Please see Mary Ann if you would still like to help with any slots that may be open. Thank you for considering helping with this opportunity to fund our church ministries.
Plans and Events at PCOC
- 8/24 - Community Kitchen will be closed this week due to fair.
- 8/26 - Women’s and Men’s Bible Studies @ 6:30 pm @ PCoC.
- 8/27 - Church Prayer Group @ 10:30 am @ PCoC.
Purpose For This Week
- Pray that we would seek to follow Jesus.
- Pray that we would learn to live as His disciples.
- Pray that we would find joy in following him and becoming his disciples.
Praise Reports & Prayer Requests
- Please continue to pray for Trent and Myrissa as they are moving downstate to be closer to their families and the opportunities it will provide for reconciliation with their children. Please pray for this transition and that God would place them in a church community and that they would be able to trust God during this time of transition. Plese conntinue to keep the health of Myrissa and her baby in your prayers as well.
- Please pray for Ruthie Eby and her continued health problems. Please pray that they can determine causes and that Ruthie will return to her previous health. Please cover the Eby family during this time as well.
- Please continue to cover many of church members in prayer that are walking in recovery everyday. Pray for their strength in this battle and that God would provide the strength to say sober.