Issue 058
Ever watched an old black & white movie where they strap
someone to a railway line while the train is coming? Usually
the hero arrives in time but the build up is meant to be
agonising.
Ever been in an agonising position at work where your
reputation is on the line and if something doesn’t happen
soon the train of events is going to run right over you?
If you take any pride in your work at all you won’t want
your reputation ruined by failure, incompetence or lack of
foresight. This is especially true and difficult if you depend
on others to come up with the goods. It’s particularly
agonising if there is time lag between the crisis emerging
and others knowing about it; if you’re really quick, you
could still rescue the situation.
A caterer at Cana was just about to be run over by events
as the wine ran out at the wedding. Someone had blown it
and he had just a short time to solve the problem before
the entire party discovered the awful truth.
As the moment approached, someone hit on the bright
idea of involving Jesus Christ – He was there anyway. After
some tense moments and delicate negotiations an
apparently hare-brained plan involving a load of water and
six storage jars was implemented. The result – 180 gallons
of top quality vintage.
No doubt as the groom, bride and guests looked back on
the day, they were happy that it turned out so well.
I’m sure at the end of the day somewhere in the corner of
the room, exhausted and sitting on a bar stool, was a
catering manager who was very glad that he’d involved
Jesus Christ in his work. After all …he was there anyway.
John 2 : 1-11
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and
Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’
mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4″Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” 9They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
1 Samuel 17:37-51
37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air
and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
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Geoff Shattock
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