Saving The Best For Last

Saving the Best for Last

Jesus’ Miracle At Cana

Read: John 2:1-11

Many people think that the best holiday on the calendar comes in the last month of the year. Most people would agree that the best part of a meal is served last, at least during holidays. But sometimes we get the best first and the worst later, especially in the world of advertising. What seems like a great deal may turn out to be only an introductory offer, with the price going up later or with additional fees and charges tacked on.

In Jesus’ time, the Jewish people had a custom similar to an introductory offer: A host normally served the best, most expensive wine first and then served the cheaper wine later in the evening. By then, the guests had already drunk enough that they were unlikely to notice the poor quality. But when Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, it was of exceptional quality even though the celebration had been going on for a while.

If the bride heard the remarks made to her groom by the master of ceremonies, she and her husband must have been pleasantly surprised. The master of ceremonies marveled at the superior quality of the wine, not knowing that it had been water only moments before. He told the bridegroom, “A host always serves the best wine first . . . but you have kept the best until now!” (John 2:10).

When we read the end of the Bible, we see that God is saving the best for last. He tells us up front that when we accept Christ, we can expect trials, sorrows, persecution, and hatred from God’s enemies. Being a Christian means taking up our own cross and dying to ourselves. Although we experience incredible joys from our relationship with him now, the best will come later. Someday we will live in the perfect place he’s prepared for us, and we will enjoy his best forever.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9