Miracles by Water

Summary: Because of his compassion, God provides for his people’s needs in miraculous ways and in natural ways.

Scripture focus: Exodus 15:22–27; John 2:1–11

Date: Sunday, 24 January 2010 (Austral Church of Christ)

Witnessing To God’s Compassion

I have been really surprised at myself this week.  An horrific disaster has occurred in Haiti, being an earthquake and aftershocks, which have killed so many people and caused so much suffering, but I am too caught up in my own affairs to have been stirred to action.  It’s not that I have no compassion for the people of Haiti, but I am unable to express it.

My condition is unacceptable and inexcusable.  In today’s readings, we will discover a time when Jesus was himself preoccupied, but he did not let that preoccupation get in the way of showing his compassion in a tangible and entirely appropriate way.

Exodus 15:22–27

In our reading from Exodus, we joined the story of the ancient Israelites just after they had been delivered from the Egyptians.  Their celebrations concluded (Ex 15:1-21), “Moses ordered Israel to set out … and they went into the wilderness … They went three days in the wilderness and found no water”  (Ex 15:22).¹

Being deprived of food or water for any length of time can be quite uncomfortable and will make just about anyone grumpy.  So, we should not be surprised at all that, “When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter … And the people complained against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’” (Ex 15:23–24).  Of course, any good leader wants to provide for the needs of his or her followers.  So, “[Moses] cried out to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet” (Ex 15:25a).

The contrast between the extraordinary and miraculous deliverance of the ancient Israelites from their slavery in Egypt and this miraculous provision of a water in the desert may seem all most laughable, but what it does demonstrate is God’s kindness and patience for his people.  God’s compassion is not restricted to the extraordinary issues, but he is also concerned for the ordinary needs of his people.

John 2:1–11

In our reading from the Gospel of John, we joined the story of Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry.  Jesus had been baptised (Mt 3:13-17), tempted in the desert (Mt 4:1-11), and called his first disciples (Jn 1:35-51).  Now, our story recounts the third day of Jesus’ public ministry (Jn 2:1a) —isn’t it great how detailed the Bible can be at times?

This day in the life of Jesus starts as a rather normal day, that just about any one would experience.  Although, it was a special “normal” day in that Jesus found himself invited to a wedding (Jn 2:1b-2).

At such marriage feasts, it was customary for the guests to contribute to what could be a week-long celebration.  That the hosts were running out of supplies became important to Mary because she, like the other guests, would be expected to ‘pitch in’.  She, a widow, then turned to her eldest son, Jesus, to do his duty (Jn 2:3).

In his response, Jesus was focussed on his spiritual mission; in hers, Mary brought him ‘back to earth’: “‘My hour has not yet come’ … ‘Do whatever he tells you’” (John 2:4–5).  Her instruction to the servants revealed her motherly wisdom that her son would ‘do the right thing’ —“otherwise, I’ll have a word with him”, Mary may have continued, but John wisely did not include this part.

That Jesus did turn the water into wine was an incredible miracle (Jn 2:6-8).  His preoccupation notwithstanding, Jesus felt compassion for his hosts and got involved in an otherwise ordinary moment.  Perhaps, he could have simply ‘slipped a couple of bucks’ to his new disciples and instructed them to go purchase some ‘grog for the party’.  Instead, Jesus turned this ordinary moment into a holy moment.  The generosity of his blessing went far beyond the call of duty, as the Master of Ceremonies was impressed with the superior quality of Jesus’ wine (Jn 2:9-10).

Jesus felt compassion and acted as he was able (cf.  Jn 9:4).  That no one at the party really noticed that a miracle had occurred is not surprising because that was not the point of Jesus’ intervention —and don’t remark that it was because the party-goers were too sloshed to notice ☺  Nevertheless, Jesus’ disciples noticed, as Jesus took advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate his power to them (Jn 2:11).  This became for them the first real tangible evidence for the contention that Jesus was the promised Christ of God.  They had hitherto only believed because of the words of John the Baptist; now they started to believe because they saw him in action.²

Something to Think About

Just as Jesus showed compassion for his people in all of the spheres of their normal human life, we too follow his example and show compassion whenever, however and to whom ever possible.

The health of any church is demonstrated in the love its members show for one another (Jn 13:34-35).  Love begins with compassion and compassion begins with kindness and patience for the least amongst us and around us (cf.  Mt 25:31-46).

Water is such a fundamental element of life.  In our readings today, God turned the bitter water into drinkable water and Jesus turned the water into wine.  While I personally look forward to sharing Jesus’ vintages at the great feast to come, we should notice that in both cases God intervened to care for his people.  In the ordinary and extraordinary affairs in human life, God cases for them all.

We too should care.  Whether it be providing money to support the victims of natural disasters or providing a listening ear for our neighbour, each moment of our life presents opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to do the work of him who sends us.

I, perhaps more than others, know that the cares and concerns of one’s own life can certainly distract us from our duty.  That is why it behoves us each to challenge, encourage or inspire one another to good works.  That is what it means to be a community of faith, members of the family of God.

Conclusion

Let us not wait for the miracles of God, but be the miracles of God in how we conduct ourselves amongst our family and friends, as well as amongst our neighbours and those at the ends of the earth.

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority.  Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.³

Endnotes