Jesus Isn't Decaf (By Naomi Meyers)

The servants looked at one another in bewildered dismay as the final drop drained from the wine cask. Palpable panic set in. The wedding supper was hours from being over. How had such an oversight happened? Running out of wine was an enormous embarrassment. And which of them would be tasked with reporting the poor planning? Who was brave enough to walk up to the host and say, “Apparently we underestimated the popularity of the newly wedded couple and failed to stock enough wine for the supper”? Anyone? No one?

As they discuss who will sacrifice themselves by explaining the delicate circumstance to the host, a lady approaches and hears their frantic whispers. A little smile quirks up the side of her mouth. Perhaps she can help. Or at least her Son can. So she finds Him and explains the servants’ plight. At first, He seems disinclined to help, but Mary knows the caring, compassionate heart of her Son would never leave a desperate soul in trouble and, turning to the servants, she says, “Whatever He says you should do, don’t question it. Just do it.” (John 2:5)

Skeptical but desperate, the servants stand at attention, awaiting directions. Jesus, calm in spite of the panicked undercurrent, points to the six stone purification jars, and says, “Put water in those jars.” Eyebrows raise. Questioning glances meet one another. Bewildered shrugs pass between them, but they start hauling water. When all the jars are full, Jesus gives them one more direction, “Pour a glass from one of those jars and take it to the host.” Already raised eyebrows creep just a touch higher. Really? Is He sure? They just put water in those jars?!

There are no other options. It must be done. Taking a deep breath, one brave servant tentatively steps forward, takes a goblet, fills it from the water jar. Odd. It looks a lot like wine. Bracing himself for a scolding, he cautiously offers the cup to the host for tasting. The servant steps back, hands folded, head bowed, awaiting his fate. The scolding never comes. The host takes one sip, then another. His face wreaths in surprised delight. “This wine is better than the first.” Relief fills the servants’ hearts. They were saved! Saved by a man they didn’t know, doing a miracle they didn’t believe possible, through actions they didn’t think were wise. In retrospect, they were so glad they had obeyed, so honored to have been asked to participate. (John 2:1-10)

It wouldn’t be the last time Jesus would use human obedience to perform a miracle. The man in John 9 comes to mind. Blind from birth, he finds himself in unenviable circumstances. Opportunities for the blind simply did not exist in his day. Furthermore, people seemed to think it was either his or his parents’ fault that he had been born with this disabling infirmity. He surely wished he could see, wished he could care for himself beyond begging. Wished he could do something to change his situation. But what could a blind man do?

Plenty apparently. At least when Jesus is involved. There is no record that the blind man even asked for Jesus’ help. Yet Jesus comes to him, spits on the ground, makes mud, and smears it on the blind man’s eyes. Then, He tells him to go wash it off in the pool of Siloam. 

 I wonder what the man thought when that happened. Surely he heard the sound of spitting. It likely wasn’t an unfamiliar sound considering his outcast social status. But to have spit mud wiped on his face? Yuck! He had to wash it off. No one wants mud caked to their face. So he makes his way to Siloam and washes. As muddy water sluiced off his face, the strangest thing happened. He saw a man looking back at him from the glimmering surface of the pool.  

Startled, he moves side to side. The man in the water moved too. Can it be? Is it real? He looked around. He could see people, buildings, trees, animals! He began walking–without feeling his way! It was a miracle! His very own miracle, performed by a man he didn’t know. A miracle that didn’t seem possible, accomplished through actions he didn’t think helpful. He was so glad he obeyed, so humbled to have been part of the ministry of the Messiah. (John 9:1-6)

Over and over throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus asks people to do things. He called Zaccheus to come down out of his tree, had the paralyzed man take up his cot and walk, told Simon to cast his nets in deeper waters, and called the 4-day-old corpse of Lazarus to walk out of his tomb. (Luke 5:1-6, 17-25; Luke 19:1-10; John 11:38-44) They didn’t have to do those things. They could have said, “No.” The rich young ruler of Mark 10 did. Jesus asked him to get rid of his earthly possessions and come follow Him. He didn’t do it. He chose to go about his life the way it was. (Mark 10:17-22) He didn’t recognize the honor he had just received. The honor of being asked to do something for, be a part of, the ministry of Jesus Christ. 

Today, beyond the boisterous noise of the world, beyond the pull of the crowd, Jesus is asking you to do something too. Jesus is always asking us to do something. Not because He can’t do things without us, but because He chooses to honor us by asking for our help. Jesus could have flicked a finger and the wine been replenished with no effort on the servants’ part. He could have healed the blind man simply by speaking, no gritty spit mud involved. He could have changed Zaccheus’ heart without him coming down out of the tree. And He can change the world without our help. Yet still He asks.

Sometimes I wonder why He does that. Asking us to work for His kingdom. I’ve read the account of Creation. I’ve read the chapters in Job extolling God’s power, wisdom, and excellence. (Job 36-40) Not only did He establish the universe and everything in it, He maintains it without the help of humanity. So why does the amazing God of the universe who simply speaks intricate organisms into existence, ask me–lowly, human, sinful, mentally frail me–to write words that may never be read, love others who may never respond, pray prayers I might never see answered, speak words that could be misunderstood? 

Because that same great God who spoke the world into existence and keeps the earth spinning at a tolerable rate, uses our obedience to show others His power and spread His message to others. People who haven’t heard, don’t know, won’t listen, don’t seem to care. People who desperately need to meet the God who threw the universe into orbit, the God who longs to be an intricate part of their lives. The God who seeks to know each soul individually, personally, intimately. The God who is love. (Genesis 1; I John 3:1; John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

 A few years ago I wrote devotionals for a ladies’ Bible study group. More than once I would write one, sit back and say, “Why am I taking this to these ladies? They know Jesus. This doesn’t seem to fit.” It seemed silly to tell them Jesus loved them when they already knew. It seemed ridiculous to speak salvation to ladies who had already experienced that grace. Obediently I would go and share, often telling them I had no idea why I was bringing them that message. Later I would find they had taken it and shared it with someone else who needed to hear it. Sometimes it would speak to a situation in their families. So I continue to write words God puts in my mind that often seem unnecessary for the readership, seem like things they already know, reminding myself continually that God’s words do not return to Him void. (Isaiah 55:11) No matter the outcome, I am deeply honored and greatly humbled to be asked to work for Jesus.

Like the servants in Cana, the blind man and the mud, Zaccheus, and Lazarus’ corpse, Jesus is asking you to do something too. Something to display the power and glory of God. Something to share the love and grace of the Savior. Something you might not be so keen on doing. Something that seems as ridiculous as pouring water with the same flourish as wine. Something that seems as far-fetched as calling a dead man to walk out of a tomb. The evil one whispers in your ear, “That’s ridiculous. He can’t mean for you to do that!” 

Don’t believe that for a minute. Nothing God does or asks you to do is ever ridiculous, worthless, useless, or in vain. God is not in the habit of doing things that do not work out His purpose. He will never ask you to do something He isn’t going to work through. The work you do for Jesus is never pointless. (I Corinthians 15:58) It is always profitable, even if you never see the outcome. So do it. Do whatever He asks. No questions. No arguments. No caveats. No tweaks. Do it. 

See, it is not just me. Not just preachers and teachers. Not just the people in the Bible. Not just the servants at the wedding in Cana. It is bankers and lawyers, servers and stockboys, students and teammates. Jesus calls each one of us out of our comfort zones into the thicket, the briars, the bush to share His message with those lost and entangled in sin. Jesus is asking you too. I don’t know what your job is. I don’t need to know how He is going to use you, but whatever He is asking you to do, do it. In so doing you will find, there is no higher accolade, no greater reward, no more distinguished honor than that of being asked to serve Jesus. (I Corinthians 3:9; Matthew 9:37; Luke 14:23; Mark 16:15)