A Lavish Love

7 Jan

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”  (Jn 2:1-5)

We all know this story and we know what happens from here.  Jesus instructed the waiters to fill up six stone water jars that held approximately thirty gallons each.  That is one hundred eighty gallons of water made into wine.  That is one heck of a party!

Why did Jesus do this?

One of the requirements of hosts for weddings was to make sure that their guests were sufficiently fed and given to drink.  Remember, they traveled great distances in the desert.  It was not like jumping in a car and driving a short way.  The guests, weary, hungry, and thirsty, would be at an event for days.  To run out was a great “sin” against the expectations of hospitality.

Jesus knew that.  He knew that a wedding was all about love.  He did not want the bride and groom to feel the stigma of not providing for their guests.  So Jesus helped them out and not just a little; but, extravagantly.

One jar (thirty gallons) would probably have been enough.  But God does not give us “just enough”.  He gives us extravagantly, lavishly, out of His love for us.

If you want the proof of that, look at your own life.  Look at the people who have been in your life.  Look at the experiences that you have had.  See the work of God’s love weaving through events and people in your life.

God loves you.  Not just a little.  Not just “sufficiently”.  But, lavishly!

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God to give you what you need to be a lavish, loving host to others, just as He is to you.