No, Not Now, and Not You by Brother Curtis Hansen

         This morning we will be reading from the book of John in chapter 2. We will start reading at verse 1.

        And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

        2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

        3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

        4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I yet to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

        5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

        6 And there were set there six waterspouts of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

        7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterspouts with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

        8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

        9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

        10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

        11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

        Today's message is about a pattern and a process. The purpose in the scripture reading has nothing to do with wine. I know there are many people who drink alcohol frequently, that use this scripture as their biblical rationale for doing it. A couple of questions for you to think on during the message this morning. Have you personally prayed and asked God for something but did not receive it? Have you received a word or statement from God yet you haven't fulfilled it?

        You go through various trials in lie either with God or without him. If you haven't received nor had a word fulfilled, it may be due to timing. Your timetable may not align with the almighty's in life. We live in times of instant results and fast pace. Our needs sometime outweigh our want. There's a reason why often you have to wait on things to happen. It goes back to a biblical principle. God cares about patterns and processes.

        The very fact that God's timing and not ours is a hard lesson for us to comprehend. There are promises which were given to the prophets in the Old Testament and they never saw them fulfilled. Sometimes the fulfillment came hundreds of years later. You would be surprised where Jesus shows up when he is invited.

        Let's examine the scriptures a bit closer. The problem is in verses 2 and 3. The wedding feast has no more wine. Jesus knows the dry and empty parts of your life, and some areas he will allow it to remain parched in order to grab your attention. A good teacher will slow things down until the objective is understood and outcome achieved. Human nature is all in on something at once and moving as fast as possible. It's important for us to recognize to see when we treat Jesus as an instant blessing giver. He's not a presence ready to serve at your beck and call. Often times we need things to slow down to understand it.

        On to verse 4. Jesus is not outright refusing what his mother is going to request, but he's implying he may not do it. When he's speaking on being the new wine, it is in reference after his ministry on earth. Our prayers sometimes follow this pattern. We give a request, we get a refusal, and finally given a revelation. Many of us will live in that refusal state and think we have been abandoned or worthless to God because the instant gratification our flesh craves has not been satisfied. An example of the request, refusal, and revelation is in John chapter 7. Jesus says no, but often is not now. In chapter 11, John writes about the account of Lazarus' resurrection. Look at verse 22.

        22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

        The mystery of the text regarding the water being changed into wine is in how the wine was produced. Don't simply consume and comprehend the text and not understand how it works. The consumers don't know how the miracle happened. They're there to just consume what's in front of them. The servant knows how the miracle happens. Jesus is willing and able to do, but often times we have to convince ourself.

        Going to verse 6, Jesus looked at what he was able to work with. He had six water pots of stone. One firkin is a measurement of 10.8 gallons. These pots had 2-3 apiece.Let's talk about the no. What is it specifically have you prayed for in life that hasn't been answered? Often times, his immediate no really not now. Not you is hard for Christians to hear, because the sense of entitlement many feel they are due. A couple of biblical examples of Not you is King David and the construction of the temple, or Moses not allowed into the promised land. Maybe God is going to slow down to teach us something. The slow down, his time, is the hard part.

        Now, let's talk about the revelation. The revelation is Jesus announcing he's the new wine to his mother Mary in our scripture reading. The process, the steps in the scripture was go, get water, fill the pot times 6. 

        The lesson is in verse 5. It's the obedience shown by the servants. Do what he tells you and learn the process. When you follow the process, Jesus shows up.

        Mary convinced the servants to act in the scripture. Maybe it was God that allowed the feast to sin out of wine. Shame was present at the beginning of this scripture. We all carry a load of shame upon our back. The embarrassment through reflection, things left unfulfilled or goals unrealized. It's because we haven't followed through on our obedience. Deliverance doesn't occur by merely leaving a need or request at Jesus' feet. After you do it right and sone over and over through obedience, then will Jesus deliver.

        Faith with conditions or strings attached is not faith. Love with conditions or strings attached is not love. Know where your strength is, draw up the water with your obedience.