John 2:2-11
In our last piece, we made an observation about Jesus’ miracle at Cana when He turned the water into wine. When the host had run out of wine, He told the servants to fill the waterpots which were there with water, and they did. We noted that Jesus did not do for them what they could do for themselves. Then He changed the water into wine. Upon reflection, we noted that this always seemed to be the case with any of Jesus’ miracles. He would do for a person or a group what they could not do for themselves.
In similar fashion, Jesus did the same thing in feeding the 5000 (Mark 6:33-44). If you’ll recall, it was a desolate place and the hour was late, so finding food would have been a problem. Jesus asked what food was available, and the disciples brought forward the five loaves and two fish. This was what they had, so Jesus used what the crowd had in order to feed them all. The people provided what they could, and Jesus did the rest!
Now, in making this observation, I don’t want to leave the impression that we are doing anything without the help of God. In fact, in His illustration of the vine and the branches Jesus told His disciples: “...for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus’ point is that in order to bear fruit we must abide in Him who is the vine. We receive our strength and sustenance from Jesus so that we might accomplish the will of God.
Paul makes note (Ephesians 3:20) that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” That power is the Holy Spirit. The Lord is ever at work in us in order to accomplish good in our lives.
As we reflect on all of this, one thing comes to mind. Whatever it is that God wants me to contribute - whether time, skill, money, labor, counsel, etc. - I have to be willing to give it. This is an absolute must in allowing Christ Jesus to work through me for good, to be a blessing to others and to bring glory to Him.
><> Jeff