The Shepherd Chapter 10

Chapter 10

          “So,” Esther said to Samuel that evening, “Did you have a good day down at the Jordan River?”

          Samuel replied, “Very interesting.” Then he thought to himself, “She has no idea how interesting it really was!”

          Esther went on, “Did you get to see John, the evangelist?”

          “Sure did,” Samuel answered. “He really let those scribes and Pharisees have it!”

          Miriam spoke up, “I don’t understand how he gets away with it. He tells those guys that they are a bunch of snakes - and they just take it!”

          Samuel spoke up, “That’s because they know that they are a bunch of snakes. If it weren’t true, they’d get mad. But they know that John speaks the truth! I wish that I were as bold as John.”

          Esther went on, “I’ve invited Elisabeth to the wedding. John is welcomed too, but he never attends parties.” Esther got a far-away look and remarked, “Zacharias has been dead for about ten years now.” She smiled and resumed, “He would have been so proud of his son, John. But at least Elizabeth will be here at Miriam’s wedding. Her cousin Mary should be here too. You know Mary, don’t you, Samuel?”

          Samuel thought a moment, but couldn’t place the name. Esther saw his puzzled look and said, “Mary is the widow of Joseph, the carpenter from Nazareth, just up the road. She may bring her son, Jesus.”

          Samuel must have looked startled, so Esther explained, “Jesus took over his father’s business and has been training his younger brothers as well. They are all fine young men and well respected around these parts. Well, there was just that little scandal several years ago, but nobody hardly mentions it any more. It happened so long, long ago. Anyway, Jesus is a fine, fine man.”

          Samuel recalled that Mary and Joseph weren’t in a hurry to get back to Nazareth after Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Joseph had found work right there in Bethlehem, so they had stayed in Bethlehem for a few months. Samuel recalled how that he had thought it strange that the couple would not have wanted to go back to Nazareth right away to show off their first-born son. But now Samuel put it all together.

          Joseph had quickly married Mary in Nazareth, even though she was showing that she was pregnant. When they went to pay their taxes in Bethlehem five months later, Jesus was born, and they decided to stay. But Samuel knew the whole story. The angel had announced to him and the other shepherds that the baby lying in the manger in Bethlehem was not the son of Joseph; he was the Son of God! And when an angel tells you something, you can believe it! Samuel wished he could convince others too. Maybe if Jesus came to Miriam’s wedding, Samuel could make believers out of the whole family. A plan began to form in Samuel’s head.

          The day of the wedding finally arrived. Esther and Miriam were excited as expected. Samuel had been commissioned to take care of the guests. Samuel’s job was to introduce each new guest and to seat them appropriately. More important guests sat nearer to the bride and groom, but everyone had to be near other guests who would mingle well. It was very complex, but Samuel was up to the challenge. When Mary and her family arrived, Samuel’s heart raced as he introduced them around. He wanted to put Jesus up near the front, but Mary would have none of it. She insisted on sitting near her cousin, Elizabeth. Jesus and his brothers sat near their mother. Samuel’s eyes were drawn to Jesus. Jesus had the bearing of a natural leader. He wasn’t loud or overbearing; he didn’t try to gain attention; people were just naturally drawn to him. Just like Samuel was.

          Samuel called to a servant to bring more bread. He noticed that one table was out of cheese, and sent for more. Samuel made sure that Mary and Elizabeth’s table was kept stocked with food. Samuel seemed to hang around their table just to be near Jesus.

          Esther had hired extra servants and most of them did their jobs well. But Samuel noticed that something was wrong. One of the servants whispered something to Esther, and she immediately got up. Samuel noticed a look of panic on his sister’s face as she headed toward the back of the house. Samuel caught her by the arm. She looked up at him and whispered. “We have run out of wine!”

          Samuel’s face went pale and his mind raced. Wine was very important to a wedding celebration. Their family always served “mingled wine”, which was one part wine and three parts water. No one ever got drunk on “mingled wine”. Samuel had an idea. He asked Esther, “Can’t we mix a little more water with the full-strength wine to make it stretch?”

          Esther’s countenance didn’t change. “That won’t work. We are already out of wine. Totally out.”

          “What can we do?” Samuel thought. “There is no way we can get any more drinks this quickly without making a scene.” Samuel knew his sister and niece would be embarrassed, but he was out of ideas.

          Mary had picked up on the commotion and came over to join them. She laid her hand on Esther’s arm and asked, “Is there anything wrong? Can I help?”

          Esther looked straight at Mary and said, “We are out of wine, and I don’t know what to do!”

          Mary looked at Esther, not speaking for a moment as the severity of the situation sank in. She was thinking. Then suddenly, with a look of confidence, she took both of Esther’s hands into her hands, looked her straight in the eyes, and said, “Give me a moment. I think that I can solve your problem.”

          Mary went back to her table and whispered to Jesus. Jesus rolled his eyes with a frustrated look. But Mary took his hands into hers and whispered again. Jesus nodded his head and stood up with a look of confidence.

          Then Jesus walked straight to Samuel and said, “Where are the water pots?”

          Samuel was frozen for a moment. Jesus was speaking directly to him!

          Mary whispered, “Whatever he says for you to do, just do it!” The confidence in her voice gave confidence to Samuel. He took Jesus by the arm and led him to the back of the house where Esther had six stone purifying pots - about nine gallons each. Esther’s servants went to the well twice a day in the center of town and kept the water pots filled. Jesus knew that every Jewish house had the purifying water pots. But Esther’s pots were low from the day’s activities.

          Jesus looked at the servants and said, “Fill the water pots up to the brim.” The servants didn’t hesitate. They hurried to the well and returned in short order and filled the water pots. Then Jesus said, “Now draw from the water pots and take the wine to the wedding planner.” The servants were confused and hesitated. But one servant immediately filled his pitcher with the water and went to the head table.

          Samuel’s mind raced. “What is going on?” he thought. “Jesus knows the servant just dipped up water. But he called it ‘wine’!” Samuel looked at the head table where the servant had just poured a sample to the wedding planner. The wedding planner took a sip and nodded assent. Then he took another sip, smiled, and beckoned to Esther. He said, “Esther, this is different,” holding up his cup. The wedding planner leaned on one elbow with a naughty smile and said, “You have been holding out on us. You have kept the best wine until now!” And with that, he took a third sip.

          Samuel thought Esther would faint! She gave a confused smile looking toward Mary. But Mary was just smiling with confidence. She knew what had just happened. And Samuel did too! Jesus had just turned ordinary water into first class wine!

          That day, there was plenty of wine! Even the servants were drinking the wine. And no one stopped them! There was plenty to go around! And Samuel would remember that day for the rest of his life. That was the day that wine flowed like water. Really. Wine flowed like water.