Trust Jesus

This week, I had a moment where trusting Jesus put me in a place for very good ministry, and I didn’t even know it. And let me just be the first to point out, that I wasn’t the happiest to be there. It happened Tuesday while at work, I went to go do my sub assignment and was told at the front office that I would be needed to cover a class during my planning period today, and that planning period was 5th period, the longest class by far in the day. Not being very happy about, I said simply, ok, and headed on my way. Well, finally 5th period came, and I could tell as soon as I walked into the classroom that this 1 and ½ hour class was going to be rough. There were no sub plans anywhere, the adult walking out of the room when I got there was a sub filling in during their planning period as well and had no idea what was going on, the place was a mess. Papers were strown everywhere, perhaps even more on teachers desk than anywhere, and on top of it being untidy the teachers desk was gross with old coffee spills, what had to be a 50 year old chair with it’s unique color from the decades of stains, and to top that all off I had no idea who anyone in the room was or what to tell them to do. Well, in a few moments I found in a pile of papers the class roll, and sent attendance down to the office. Almost immediately after I was done, 3 students came up to me looking very troubled. They asked me if they could go to the library, where the councilors office was, and confused I asked them why they needed to go there. With trouble and tears in their eyes, they told me, “They just told us to tell you we could go.” I learned earlier that morning a student had tragically died, and teachers were advised to let any student that they thought may be impacted to go the guidance office, without delay. I let them go, and they came back much later.

When they came back, they really didn’t look any better, they all sat quietly, either a 1,000 yard stare, or anger on their face, all holding back tears. As class came near to an end, I felt a tug to go and comfort them, speaking them, I told them I was so sorry, and asked if I could pray for them. One of them said, I would like to, but I don’t know if we are allowed, I told her, we are, and if you would like me to, I will, and I am sorry for your loss and wish I could say something to help. I prayed for them, and told them to let me know if they needed anything or to talk during the rest of class. I didn’t want to be there, but God put me there for just that time, to show them that they were loved, their hurt mattered, and to God they weren’t forgotten. Trusting Jesus not only has an effect on you, but others around you as well.

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. I ask these things for your glory and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

Context

Today we dive into the second chapter of the Gospel (The Good News) according to John. In the last chapter, we saw the beginning with a description of Christ and His place within the trinity, how John the Baptist came to testify about the Christ coming, how Jesus was revealed to be Christ, and ultimately Jesus began to call his first disciples, his first followers; one of which, is the disciple who would be one of early apostles, John, the author of this gospel.

Historically, this gospel was given 2 large divisions, the first is referred to “as the book of signs” the second of which is the “book of glory.” Now, and for the next 10 chapters we will be in this books of signs, where we see frequent occurrences where Jesus shows His signs to the people, showing and proving to them that He is in fact the messiah, the one they had been waiting and hoping for for such a long time. In this, while some would come to fully believe, some would half heartily (seeing personal benefit in all reality), but most would not (a trend we observe even today).

As we observe this, it is very important to teach each and every disciple of Jesus that Following and trusting Jesus will have trials. No one ever has had an easy go of it, not even Jesus’ closest friends and followers, and we are being delusional if we tell ourselves that it is easy to be a Christian, that or perhaps you have not yet even scratched the surface just yet. Some of the characters in today’s text had small trials, yet the put whatever they were holding onto aside and instead chose to trust in Him, knowing that He, as God knows better and is more than capable with or without our intervention. So, let’s all seek to be more trusting in Jesus. So, From the text, I want you to see and, do, and remember these truths as you live a life that trusts in Jesus.

Message

The first truth to see and remember is that: What God Gives is Better 1-12

2 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’s mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother told him, “They don’t have any wine.”4 “What has this concern of yours to do with me,[a] woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 “Do whatever he tells you,” his mother told the servants. 6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons.[b] 7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.”[c] And they did. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. 12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, together with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

If you’re anything like me, when you read this passage, you are a little perplexed at Jesus’ response to His mother here. Yes, we know that the language and expressions they had back then are very different from what we have today and of course tone means everything in a spoken sentence. However, even with that in mind, Jesus’ response still seems odd. When studying these few verses this week, just let me tell you, commentators and scholars have much to say here, and they also mention how odd Jesus’ answer was. So, let me piece together what I have learned this week.

1st of all, it’s unclear what Mary was expecting Jesus to do, up till now Jesus had never performed a miracle before, so why should she believe one would happen now at this close friend or family member's wedding? Rather, it is likely that since Joseph (her husband) has probably passed away a long time ago, Mary had grown to rely on her oldest son's abilities and resourcefulness, so she turned to him for help.

2ndly, Jesus is probably turning the stressful situation into a very spiritual one. Essentially, He is drawing attention to the joy and all the wine it will take on the day of the great wedding feast of the lamb, a day we are still waiting for. So He’s saying, “Yes, the sin in this world is very terrible and touches many things on us today, however there is little that I can do about it until after my time of sacrifice has come.”

3rdly, the relationship between Son and Mother is changing to the Savior and Child/Creating being. Of course, any mother’s heart would break at this, no longer being able to look at your child who you raised and raised well with love changing your relationship. However, we see a subtle change here in Mary and how she saw her son, and even here we see Jesus’ mother Mary directing others to listen to Him and do as He says, she trusts that He can do anything.

From this, the wedding servants receive an odd command from Jesus, take the ritual cleaning jars and fill them with water. Then, in His first miracle, which symbolizes the covenant in His blood that He will in a few short years pay, he turns the water into wine and has it delivered to the man in charge of the feast. This man is stunned, there must be some kind of mistake, what is this!? You have kept the best wine for last! Here what was about to be a terrible situation of shame, has become a time of great enjoyment, all of which was paid for by Jesus’ covenant with us; much like we benefit from today with Jesus’ gift of eternal life. Jesus showed them all and us, what gives us is much greater than what our hearts' fleshly desires are.

Following and trusting Jesus will have trials. However, what Jesus has to offer us is much better than the trial and whatever it is that you have to give up. So then, trust Jesus. Trust Jesus when He calls you to let go of control when He calls for you to, because what He has in store is better than what you can muster. Trust Jesus when the doctors give you options, and the most difficult one seems the best for success. Trust Jesus when your friends and family all around you are gone, Jesus knows all the comings and goings of the world and knows what is best for it. Trust Jesus when you have to let go, He has a place of boundless joy waiting for the redeemed. Trust Jesus when He takes you to a new place or new life stage, He may be calling you to bring Him glory there. Trust Jesus when He leaves you somewhere and you’d rather go, it’s probable that He’s not done with you yet there. I can go on and on, but what I want you to know is this: What God gives us is better than our wants, so trust Jesus.

The next truth to see and remember is to: Remember what God has shown you 13-22

13 The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords, he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”[d]17 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.[e] 18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple,[f] and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build,[g] and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.

After a few days, the group heads on to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover. Here Jesus finds something that greatly displeases Him, people making a rich prophet off of worship through the sacrificial system, not only selling animals for the sacrifice, but most likely also exhorting people for it. You may remember this happening much later in the other gospels, this is because this event happened 2 times, 2 times Jesus drove the swindlers and profiters out of the temple. They had desecrated it, and showed that Israel did not really understand worship to the one true God and king, their sacrifices were little more than shows and opportunities to make a quick buck. The zeal of Jesus for His Father’s house was strong and consuming, so he fashioned a whip and drove them out! The disciples, who were probably quite shocked at their teacher's actions, would one day go on to remember that this was written about in the prophets; they were on their way to remembering what God had shown them. In turn, the people who were being driven out asked for an explanation, a sign, and by whose authority He was doing this. Jesus told them, Oh, I will give you a sign, the temple (speaking about His body) will be raised back up after it was destroyed in only 3 days. Confused, they responded, showing that their minds were only earthly things. We spent so many years building this temple, what makes you think that can be done!? Once again, the disciples heard this, were probably confused at first, but would later remember that Jesus was showing them something very important that they needed to know.

Sometimes we as Christians need to stop along life's road and look back. Although it might have been winding and steep, we can see how God directed us by His faithfulness. Here's how F.E. Marsh described what the Christian can see when he looks back:

The deliverances the Lord has wrought (Deut. 5:15).

The way He has led (Deut. 8:2)

The blessings He has bestowed (Deut. 32:7-12).

The victories He has won (Deut. ll:2-7).

The encouragements He has given (Josh. 23:14).

When we face difficulties, we sometimes forget God's past faithfulness. We see only the detours and the dangerous path. But look back and you will also see the joy of victory, the challenge of the climb, and the presence of your traveling Companion who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.

Have you ever forgot what God has shown you? I’m sure we all have. Have you ever stopped to think on why we are so quick to do so? Though it may not be every case, maybe it has something to do with this fact, Following and trusting Jesus will have trials. Sometimes, trials hurt, and always trials are hard. But, one thing is clear when they hurt us so much that we turn away from God. Here it is, we trusted something over God or we loved the gift more than the giver. That is, in our minds, we were critically wrong about who God is. Yes, your trials will have deep hurt, they will have deep pain, the loss of a loved one, looking our death and disease in the face, losing a job, losing time with family, losing financial security. Yes, these will be hard, in fact, they were supposed to. But, let me ask you, has God once ever proven to you that He was untrustworthy in giving you what was really best? No, He never has and He never will. He will never leave you and forsake you, no matter how quick we are to leave and forsake you. So then, embrace those trials, look for God in them with intent, leave no stone unturned and Remember what God has shown you, and what He has for you is better.

Another truth to see and remember is to: Deepen your faith in Christ 23-25

23 While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.

In these few short yet profound verses we learn something. That is, may come to believe Jesus (somewhat) from the signs He was doing. However, Jesus knew that their love for them was temporary and only surface deep, as soon as the good times stopped, they would be gone. He knew this, and needed no proof about any one individual. As God, He knew each and ever person’s thoughts and actions better than they knew them theirselves. So, anyone’s testimony, “Oh, you can trust this guy.” Wasn’t any good to the one who knew everything. As Jesus knew their minds and hearts, He knew not trust Himself to them, He knew these people needed a deeper faith, He knew it would do them no good for Him to spend to much time with them, so He didn’t. What we see here, is a town full of superficial, half hearted, and insincere faith that wouldn’t go very far.

Has anyone here ever grown carrots before? Well, if you ever have, you will know that you can never judge a carrot off of it’s top. I can tell you from carrot after carrot pulled out of the ground for several years, under the normal home gardner situation, you really can’t predict how big one will be. In fact, even the biggest and greenest shoot that comes out of the ground, can turn out to be the puniest or even the most misshapen carrot you’ve ever seen in your life.

So then, how do we get from disciples (carrots) that have not just a beautiful sprout put also a deep and beautiful carrot (devotion/love/faith) in Jesus? Well, it doesn’t happen on it’s own. For a carrot the seen not only needs to planted, but you need to cultivate it as well. You have to make the soil loose, rich, yet well draining. You have to remove the impurities in the ground like rocks and pebbles, you have to make the ground loose so their is room for the carrot to grow, you have to provide nutrients so it grown, but you also have to not give to much so it doesn’t rot. It takes time, it takes cultivation, you can’t just put a carrot seed in any old soil and hope it comes out well, because, it will not. So then, how do we cultivate our faith, and how do we know when we are on the fight track? Well, to cultivate your faith life you need to do these things: You need to read your bible, you need to pray, you need to gather with other believers, you to worship God both in your lifestyle and along with others together, you need to turn to Him in difficulty, you need to put your hand to the plow and do good works. These and many others are ways to cultivate, deepen your love of Christ. So then, what is the sprout, what is that people can observe you know weather or not your are healthy and on the right track disciple of Jesus. It’s this, is yours a life where people can say, yes, that person is one that loves God, loves people, and makes disciples. I see that in this person, he or she may not be perfect, but I can see the effort and over a long period of time, I see the greater effort and devotion to it. Following and trusting Jesus will have trials. So then, deepen your faith in Christ and you will find that those old trials are easier, and that He has trusted you with new ones designed to draw you even closer to Him.

Conclusion

Beloved, here this Following and trusting Jesus will have trials. Mary, the mother of Jesus had the trials, all the disciples and apostles of old had them, and you do as well. In these trials we are all called to trust in Jesus, look to Him as comforter and lover of your soul, and when the dark and scary night comes in them, remember these things, have courage and turn towards the cross, remember that What God Gives is Better 1-12, your loss could very well be yours or another's very big gain. Remember what God has shown you 13-22, He has shown you faithfulness, ability, and love much more than you could give back, so remember to trust, and remember that He is more than deserving of that trust. And also, Deepen your faith in Christ 23-25; seek to cultivate it every chance that you can, challenge yourself to go deeper, never be content with where you are in your love and affection of Jesus, always be ready for the next and the trail that will come to get there.

With all of that being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God, though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do is accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.