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| ps from ps/pk John 2:1-11“Ooh, Heaven Is a Place on Earth” People didn’t think Jesus could boogie like that. It took them by surprise—his dance moves, undoubtedly, but also how much Jesus, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God . . . loves a good ol’ fashioned Electric Slide.Jesus is there, at the wedding in Cana. And the party is at the tipping point: the moment when people are either gonna dip, or the party is about to go to the next level. The shoes will come off on the dance floor, mama is gonna bust those moves she hasn’t used since college— but instead, something terrible has happened.The host has run out of wine. The servants know it. And for some reason . . . Mary knows it, too.In John’s Gospel this is how we meet Mary. A woman who knows the panicked secret about to ruin the party: there is no more wine. A woman who knows exactly who can fix it, so she goes to find her son. Maybe Jesus is dangling a solo cup in hand, leaning against a wall and enjoying from the sidelines. Maybe he was doing the Cha Cha Slide and is irked to be interrupted. An embarrassing squabble with one’s mother in front of friends is a seminal human experience, after all.Or maybe this whole conversation is a teasing ruse because mother and son both know what is about to happen—they’re both in on the delightful surprise.The good news is a surprise to us, of course, but it’s not a surprise to God. However this conversation goes down—sassy or sincere—I picture Mary, unblinking at Jesus’ insistence that his hour has not yet come.She turns to the crowd of befuddled waitstaff as she saunters off with: “Do whatever he tells you!” Mary has complete trust in the miracle to come.The servants turn to look at Jesus—hopeful, skeptical, bewildered— and Jesus tells them to fill six stone water jars, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. “And they filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). This is equivalent to one thousand bottles of wine! Which is exactly what it becomes. The party tips from good to unforgettable.Behold: Jesus’ debut act of ministry. It’s not a healing, or an exorcism, or turning tables for justice. Jesus’ first act is to help ensure a party becomes the best party possible. It’s a total surprise.Because this . . . this is who Jesus is. Jesus doesn’t have to begin with defeating evil because he knows ultimately evil doesn’t stand a chance against a God who loves disco and his mother. Evil doesn’t stand a chance against a God who is not only not afraid of scarcity, but laughs in the face of it. Evil doesn’t stand a chance against a God who will never let an empty cistern or full tomb have the final word. Evil is predictable. But our God loves a surprise because God knows the plot twist is the same every time: God’s goodness will overflow. Every. Single. Time.ReflectHave you ever been surprised by overflowing goodness?Blessings,PS and PK |
February 25, 2026
