Speaker: Nick Wallsteadt

Theme: What I Learned at a Wedding

Weekend Music links on iTunes: All About You, God Is With Us, Your Love Never Fails, Like an Avalanche

Read:   Revelation 21:1-5

Think:  We seem to have a thing in this country about finding new ways to use old stuff, of ‘repurposing’.  Whether it goes back to our pioneer forebears, Depression-era thriftiness, or the more eco-conscious vibe of recent times, we all like to see creative new ways of reusing worn items – coffee cans filled with nails, clothes recycled into a quilt, an old bathtub for watering horses. 

Jesus did something of the kind in the wedding at Cana, something less than the miracle of changing the water to wine.  In the story Pastor Nick related from the book of John, Jesus found a new use for the large jars used to hold the water for ceremonial washing.  Obviously, in changing the water to wine, He changed the water vessels into wine vessels.  But I think there’s more to it.

The ceremonial washing was prescribed for the Jews under the Old Testament law.  Cleansing with the water was an obligation before God.  When Jesus had the jars filled to the brim with water, and then changed the water to wine, He transformed a tool for performing a religious obligation into an implement of celebration at the wedding feast.  Duty became party.

The scripture reading today is from another book of the Bible written by the Apostle John, the book of Revelation.  It tells of a time when God will make ‘a new heaven and a new earth’, restoring His creation to perfection.  In Revelation 21:5, Jesus says ‘I am making everything new!’

Jesus is in the repurposing business.  He wants to take whatever we will give to Him – whether it’s worn and empty like a discarded bathtub, or working fine like a jar of ceremonial water – and make it new.  What part of yourself will you give Him today?

Do:  Find something around your home or office that’s been repurposed.  When you see it today, make it a reminder of how God wants to remake your life.

Pray:  Father God, repurpose me.  Whatever needs changing to better reflect Your glory and better do Your will, please change it.  Make me new, so I can serve You better.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.