Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Lent: A time of transformation
John 2:1-11
Vs 2 - Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding
Coming Sunday, marks the beginning of the 50 day Lent, also called as the Great Lent or Valiya-nomb in Malayalam. The Great Lent is a time for Realization-Repentance-Return. As in the story of the Prodigal son, when we realize our sins and repent from it, God gives us an opportunity to return to Him. This closer walk with God brings about a transformation in ourselves and through us, in the society. Lent is a time for such a transformation.

The Great Lent stretches over 7 weeks, each Sunday expounding on a miracle of Jesus. Every miracle is not an end in itself, rather it has a message of the kingdom of God as seen in Jesus. The Apostle John calls miracles as signs of the Kingdom of God that shows Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 2:11; 20:31)
The Gospel portion for the coming week talks about the miracle at Cana of Jesus turning water into wine.

Two factors that bring about transformation in this portion are as follows:
1. Presence of Jesus
In life, simple mistakes often create a big crisis which is much beyond our control. For a Jewish wedding celebration which lasts over many days, guests are served with wine by the hosts. A good supply of wine would reflect the good hospitality of the hosts. Similarly, a shortage of food or wine would reflect badly on them for years to come. So, this fact would have been thought over and planned well by the hosts. And yet, despite the best of plans and intentions, the wine runs out. Careful calculations would have failed and now salvaging the situation is beyond the capacity of the hosts. That is where the presence of Jesus makes a difference. Jesus had been invited for this wedding. His presence saves the honor of the hosts by creating water out of wine. Let us bear in mind that He was invited to the wedding to take part in the joyous celebration, not because the hosts foresaw a shortage of wine.
Do we have Jesus in our lives? Do we hand over our life’s controls to him or seek him only in a difficulty? Is he a part of our life plans and family conversations? Do we have prayer at home?
Make Christ a part of our lives. When Christ is present in a crisis there will be transformation.
I am reminded of the Sunday School song, “With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm”. That song of simple faith illustrates the fact that when we have Jesus amidst the storms of our lives, we can face it bravely and we will survive through His power.
 
2. Obedience to his will
The servants of the house would have felt ridiculous when Jesus asked them to fill the pots used for ceremonial washing by the Jews with water and then take them to the steward instead of actual wine. But inspite of that, they remember Mary’s words to do whatever Jesus asks them to. And they do exactly what he says. It doesn’t matter how difficult or incredulous it may seem. They obey. And through their obedience they participate in a miraculous work of Jesus. Today also God is ready to use us for his great purposes in this world. All that we need are willing hearts and hands that seek and do the will of God.
This Lent, let us invite God to be the Lord of our lives. Let us submit to His will.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, I want You to be an ever present part of my life. Help me draw closer to You. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Lord, Change the world and let it start with me" (from a song by No Other Name)
Rev. Thomas John, Carmel MTC, Boston
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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