Running On Empty
“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called (invited) and His disciples to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine.” John 2:1-3
I’ll never forget what happened to me on my birthday in 1984. After traveling a few miles on I-20 from Forest, MS heading to Jackson, the flashing little red fuel light from the dashboard of my truck caught my attention. I was running on empty! There was no place to turn around on the interstate, so I had to try and make it to the next exit. I remember praying, “Lord, You remember that first miracle you performed at the wedding. Would you please do that again? But this time, Lord, instead of turning the water into wine, would you turn the air in my empty tank into gas?”
Well, He didn’t answer my prayer that day, but He did teach me an important lesson. After walking several miles to get gas, I learned the hard way, it’s very foolish to try to run on empty!
JESUS’ FIRST MIRACLE
Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding. It’s believed that Mary, his mom, was the hostess at this particular wedding. Something happened that day that should’ve never happened at any wedding in New Testament times. The Bible says they ran out of wine (grape juice). With Mary being the hostess, this was a huge problem and embarrassment for her. The groom, his bride, along with many guests, were anxiously waiting to be served, but they ran out of refreshments. What on earth would Mary do?
OUR PROBLEMS ARE GOD’S POSSIBILITIES
We’ve all been in similar situations like Mary found herself in. She was in a pickle! I’ve been there and so have you. Maybe you’re in that place today. You face a nagging problem you can’t solve. You feel like you’re in a deep hole you can’t climb out of. You feel a lot like Mary did. She knew there was nothing she could do. But we can learn from Mary. Your problem is the Lord’s opportunity! And it’s in the 1st miracle of Jesus, Mary shows us three things to do when we’ve run out of hope, feel frustrated and don’t feel we can go any further…
- TURN TO JESUS WITH YOUR PROBLEM.
Again, Mary’s problem was they had run out of wine. You might ask, “What’s the big deal about that?” Well, as hostess, it was very embarrassing for Mary. She was in charge. It wasn’t a life or death situation, but Mary was responsible and she had to have felt awful about what had occurred. But Mary did what you and I should do when we face a problem. She turned to Jesus. It sounds so simple, yet, how many times has Jesus been the last resort we’ve turned to when facing a difficulty? Too many times, we’ve turned to another person; or, we’ve turned to a bottle; or, we’ve turned all night in bed with worry! The question is how long will you try to run on empty before you turn to the Lord? Mary didn’t hesitate. She immediately looked to Jesus.
- TALK TO JESUS ABOUT THE PROBLEM YOU’RE FACING.
Mary turned to Jesus and then she said, “They have no wine.” She simply told the Lord exactly what the problem was she was facing. And keep in mind, it was not only embarrassing as the hostess, but it was considered thoughtless and insulting in the eyes of the groom, bride and their families to run out of refreshments. I love Jesus’ response, “Mine hour has not come.” In other words, “It’s not time for me to reveal Who I am.” But Mary turned to Jesus because she knew something we should never forget. *What matters to you or me, matters to Jesus!” You might say, “Well my problem’s too small to bother God with.”
Questions: Can you tell me anything that’s too “big” to God? And let me ask you, why did Jesus do this miracle in the first place? Was it to impress the crowd? No. Was it to prove Who He was? No. That’s the reason He didn’t want to do it. Why did He perform this 1st of all His miracles then? He did it to show us that what matters to us, matters to Him! Amen?!
- TRUST JESUS TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM.
The last thing Mary did was most important of all. And it’s what you and I should do when the bank account is running low; your patience is almost gone; or, your strength is practically drained. Follow Mary’s example. She didn’t hesitate or procrastinate. She immediately turned to Jesus, told Him the problem and then she said to the servants in John 2:5, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” That’s some of the best advice found in the Bible . . . or anywhere for that matter! Why? Because you do not have a problem in your life but that Jesus can solve if you’ll trust Him and listen to Him as He tells you what you should do. You see, many times after we’ve prayed, we have to put feet to our prayers.
Jesus told the servants to fill the water pots with water. It was a simple task. It may not have made any sense to them. But it was what He told them to do. And there may not have been a miracle had they not obeyed. What’s your part in the solution to your problem today? What’s the Lord telling you to do before He does what only he can do? We’ll never see a miracle without Him, but many times He won’t do the miracle we need until we do our part. We must trust and obey.
Looking back on the story of Jesus’ 1st miracle, the most wonderful thing that happened was not that this couple got married. It was that they invited Jesus to the wedding! Let me ask you . . . Is the little red warning light of worry and fear flashing in your heart today? How long will you continue to run on empty . . . in your wisdom and in the little strength you have left? Why not turn to Him, talk to Him, and trust Him to refill you with His power, His strength and His peace? Jesus is waiting on you to cry out to Him today! It’s so foolish to try to run on empty!
Think it over….
Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren.
Photo by Free Images
I see this passage a bit differently, based on my background of having been a Catholic priest and member of a Catholic religious community in the past, and having studied Scripture.
I have thought about this particular passage for years, and find it fascinating what it tells us about the relationship between Jesus and Mary.
First of all, I found it interesting that you shared that MARY was the hostess; there is no place in Scripture that states that, so I suspect you had other sources in Jewish heritage and traditions.
But I have had the suspicion for DECADES when I have read this passage that Mary walked off with A SMILE on her face; did she know her son? YOU BETCHA she did, and maybe three in a little guilt trip on Him.
Did He jump up? NO. Could it be that old Satan was tempting Him (“You don’t have to do this.. they’re drunk, could go out and have an accident and YOU would be at fault!”
But we know the choice He made to begin His ministry among us.
Thank you for your comment, Robert! We are an Evangelicl website. You can find our “Beliefs” under “About Us” on the menu bar. You will also find that our “Purpose” is to encourage, motivate and inspire grandfathers to draw closer to God in thier personal walk, but also, as the patriarch of their family, to continue leading their family. Evangelical denominations differ in beliefs as well, so we tend to stay away from any theological discussions and allow the Word of God stand for itself in each persons heart. God Bless!