Content: Maria
John 2:1-11
2003. 11. 2. Sunday Day Worship
■ Opening story
God uses people for his work. At the miracle site of Oh Byeong-Eye, the boy who gave the lunch box to the Lord and Andrew, the disciple who brought the boy's lunch box to the Lord, were used. The deacon Philip was used to bring about a spiritual revival in Samaria. He used Paul for Gentile missionary work. Man is God's way. But not everyone is God's way. A man of God, a man of faith is God's way. This does not mean, however, that God cannot work without people. You can work without anyone. It is true that man is God's method, but it is not an absolute method. It's just the way God likes it. God enjoys working through people. That is why we are looking for people of faith.
■ The protagonist of the first target
There was a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. At this feast, Mary, the mother of Jesus, helped, and Jesus and his disciples were invited as guests. Usually Jewish wedding feasts lasted from one to two weeks. But a problem arose. The wine needed at the feast ran out. When Mary knew this, she came to Jesus. But Jesus replied, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come," and she vehemently refused Mary's request. But Mary strongly instructed the servants, "Do whatever Jesus says to you." Knowing that the servants were fully prepared to obey, Jesus commanded the servants to turn water into wine. This first sign was performed in Cana of Galilee. At the scene of the first sign, the disciples of Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, servants, and a banquet hall appear... Through whom did Jesus perform the miracle? This is Maria. It worked because of Mary. Are you a used servant? What does the Lord want you to do?
■ The reason why Mary could be used
First, because I knew the problem. Mary noticed that the wine had run out. I knew the problem with the wedding banquet house. The Lord solves problems through people who know them. You don't work through a slick person who says "I'm fine!" despite having a problem, obviously. Some people say that there is no problem, and some people miss the core of the problem and stand on the edge of the problem. Such a person cannot solve the problem. To solve a problem, you have to admit it. And you need to know the crux of the problem. It takes belief that any problem can be solved. What's your problem? Any problem can be solved.
Second, because they brought the matter to the Lord. Mary went to the Lord and informed him that the wine had run out. It wasn't just about conveying information. That's what the problem was entrusted to. I acknowledged the power of the Lord and entrusted the problem. Who do you go to when you encounter a problem? Do you not come to the Lord after searching for people here and there? We must come first to our Lord. The Lord must not be pushed into the next lane in our choices. First of all, you must come to the Lord and pray.
Third, because it prepared them for obedience. In preparation for the Lord's word, Mary instructed the servants to obey in all cases. The Lord is looking for obedient people. If you have received a message of answer from the Lord... What would you do if the message was difficult to obey? The Lord knows in advance. So he answers those who will obey him in the future. In many cases, our prayers are thwarted not because the prayer itself is rejected, but because we do not obey after the prayer. The prayer of faith will surely ascend. But realistically, to receive answers, you must obey.