“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” John 2:10
Imagine cream linen tablecloths draped softly atop rectangular tables set against cobblestoned walls. A community of ladies dressed in vibrant arrays of spring patterns meander through beauty and tangible acts of love our Breaking Bread Nashville team lovingly prepared.
Delicate green floral sprigs accent fragrant pink arrangements, echoing a deeper green canopy of trees bending low as if eagerly listening to conversations. As night chases away the last bit of day, flickering candlelight dances rhythmically with a gentle breeze. Heaven is near—blessing and filling this once-empty space, honoring our mission statement of creating a community of women walking through all stages and phases of life, coming together for the common purpose of learning and growing in Jesus Christ.
If you and I could go back in time to the wedding scene in Cana of John 2:1–11, we might see rugged cobblestone walls, like mine, leading guests to a festive celebration. Having designed weddings, and knowing the level of effort the many details require, I can see in my mind’s eye those rushing about in ordinary acts of service that feel deeply relatable.
In these verses, Jesus is at the center of the wedding feast during a time in biblical history when wine was the centerpiece of wedding celebrations. To run out of wine was simply not acceptable. Yet Mary, Jesus’ mother, notices the empty wine urns and instructs her Son to act.
“Do whatever he tells you,” Mary said, with not an ounce of uncertainty (v. 5). Perhaps those empty urns reminded her of a time when her empty womb had been miraculously filled with God’s one and only Son, the hope of heaven sent for a depleted, emptied world. He was the Bridegroom from heaven who came to empty Himself, like wine poured out, redeeming the world of darkness with His brilliant light. Those empty urns were a piece of cake for Mary’s little-boy-turned-man.
Her Savior.
Her Lord.
Who else could miraculously model such practical but necessary power? There was no way the wedding guests could have known: They were about to witness Jesus’ first public miracle.
And in our world, we rarely imagine public miracles unfolding through the quiet, practical serving that can feel so ordinary. Jesus is near. Whether we are serving our friends on a mission to build community or serving our husbands and our children, there is something holy and intricately connected to who Jesus is when we are focused on others’ needs. Our efforts squeeze every ounce of selfishness out of us, like grapes being crushed to produce delectable wine.
I’d like to invite you to join me in serving as a poured-out drink offering. Will you accept the challenge to serve others with your feelings of inadequacy? To serve when your flesh resists humility? As you do, God’s living water will empower you to pour out new wine and invite heaven to come near—to fill you with more of Jesus.
Where is Jesus inviting you to serve in practical ways today? Wherever that might be, serve on, friend!
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for pouring out Heaven’s best to fill our emptiness. Shape our lives around practical serving and transform us by the miracle of Your presence and pleasure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want More?
For another picture of practical serving, read how the Shunammite woman prepared a room in her home for Elisha the prophet in 2 Kings 4:8–17. Why did the Shunammite woman regularly provide hospitality for Elisha? What does the preparation of the “small upper room” reveal about her commitment and generosity? What does this story teach about God seeing acts of faithfulness that others may overlook?
