And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. John 2:3
Most of the wedding receptions I have attended have had plenty of good food and beverage. The food and drink are there to help everybody have a nice time. Weddings nowadays are much different from what they were in Jesus’ time, but many of the same things apply: people are there to have an enjoyable time and to share in the joy of the newly-married couple. When provisions run out, things must start to get unpleasant for the organizers as well as for the guests. It was embarrassing. Somebody did some poor planning, and the lack of planning was now a problem. But the story ended happily, because One of the guests was able to resolve the problem and because another of the guests knew where to go for a solution.
There had been wine at the wedding, but it was now all gone. The world is like that today: all around us are people who have used up their health, their money, their energies, their talents, and often their sanity, and now there is nothing left to bring them joy. Most of the people who desperately need the Gospel to provide them with hope have no idea that there is a Gospel. As far as they know, a life of disappointment and struggle is all there is, and there is no expectation of anything for eternity. Life’s party has run out of wine, and as far as they know, it is a permanent loss. That’s why we need to get the good news of the Gospel out to the world, to let them know there is hope. That is also why, like Mary, we need to intercede with the Lord Jesus on behalf of those who have no wine.
We have no idea what would have happened at that wedding if Mary had not been there. But she was there, and she approached Jesus about the problem. We have no idea what will happen to the folks around us if we don’t pray for them and witness to them. But we are here, and we can pray and witness. Mary probably had no idea what Jesus would do to resolve the problem. But she asked Him anyway. We have no idea either what Jesus will do when we bring the needs of the lost to Him. But we can ask Him anyway. It was not Mary’s responsibility to supply wine for the marriage, not is it your or my responsibility to provide salvation to the thirsty souls around us; we couldn’t do it if we wanted to. Salvation is of the Lord, not of ourselves. But the Lord Jesus does desire to hear from us about the need.
The Lord knows the need for the wine of blessing, and He delights to bring the blessing, if only we will bring the need to Him and witness for Him. -Jim MacIntosh