Sunday, March 2, 2003
Sunday, March 2, 2003
The steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, "Everyone serves the good
wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the
good wine until now."
We will be criticized at times for taking action or doing our best to fulfill what we believe God is
calling us to do, but we are also special in the sight of God. In my own work and ministry, I am an
action oriented person. I like to see things get done, and I learned a long time ago, that when you
act, you open yourself up to lots of criticism. In fact, you will receive a whole lot more criticism
than if you do nothing. But there is no respect in doing nothing. There is an old phase that says,
"It's better to have tried and failed, than to have not tried at all." This is true in our service to God.
(John 2.9-10
NRSV)
We will not always be respected when we follow Christ. Sometimes we will be criticized. Jesus
is not directly criticized in our story today, but the groom was. After the chief steward had tasted
the water that Jesus had turned into wine, he said, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and
then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until
now." There is a bit of criticism in this statement. However, the real point of this statement is that
Jesus' action produced a much higher quality wine. This was simply a way for the author to point
out how special Jesus was as God's son.
Loving God, when I am criticized remind me of your love. Amen.
