February 25th, 2023
by Sarah Turner
by Sarah Turner

Day 4
Saturday, February 25
John 2:1-12
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They don’t have any wine.”
4 Jesus replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet.”
5 His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby were six stone water jars used for the Jewish cleansing ritual, each able to hold about twenty or thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter,” and they did. 9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
The headwaiter called the groom 10 and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.” 11 This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this, Jesus and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and stayed there for a few days.
Reflection
Some things are very different now than in Jesus’s day and some things are not. The setting of this scripture is pretty familiar: a wedding where the guests are
celebrating with some wine! Lots of people know the end of this story – that Jesus turns water into wine, his first miracle. But what sticks out to me is that before the miracle happens, a very “human” interaction occurs. In verses 3-5, when Mary tells Jesus that they’re out of wine, he replies “What does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet!” Perhaps he was deep in conversation, not wanting his Mom to butt in and tell him what to do. Wisely, Mary doesn’t argue with him – she simply says to the servants “Do whatever he tells you.” She leaves it with him to decide.
Have you ever had a moment like this, where a friend, a mentor, a parent (or even God) has pointed out an opportunity, has nudged you to take a step? I’m going to call this a “Mary moment” – an opening of a door, and invitation to take a step. I’ve certainly had many “Mary moments” when I did not step through that open door, but here’s one where I did. About 15 years ago, a friend nudged me to incorporate my faith into my work as a professional theatre artist. My first
response was “What do you mean? That’s not who I am! My theatre life is here
and my faith life is there.” But after thought and prayer (and connecting with other Christian theatre artists in St. Louis), I developed Mustard Seed Theatre, whose mission was to explore issues of faith and social justice. That step led me into moments of ministry I couldn’t have imagined.
Can you think of a “Mary moment” in your life? How did you respond?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your prevenient grace, which is around me, preparing
the way. Help me have open ears and eyes and the courage to step through new
doors. Thank you for the people in my life who encourage me to be your hands,
heart and feet in this world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
By Deanna Jent
Saturday, February 25
John 2:1-12
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They don’t have any wine.”
4 Jesus replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet.”
5 His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby were six stone water jars used for the Jewish cleansing ritual, each able to hold about twenty or thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter,” and they did. 9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
The headwaiter called the groom 10 and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.” 11 This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this, Jesus and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and stayed there for a few days.
Reflection
Some things are very different now than in Jesus’s day and some things are not. The setting of this scripture is pretty familiar: a wedding where the guests are
celebrating with some wine! Lots of people know the end of this story – that Jesus turns water into wine, his first miracle. But what sticks out to me is that before the miracle happens, a very “human” interaction occurs. In verses 3-5, when Mary tells Jesus that they’re out of wine, he replies “What does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet!” Perhaps he was deep in conversation, not wanting his Mom to butt in and tell him what to do. Wisely, Mary doesn’t argue with him – she simply says to the servants “Do whatever he tells you.” She leaves it with him to decide.
Have you ever had a moment like this, where a friend, a mentor, a parent (or even God) has pointed out an opportunity, has nudged you to take a step? I’m going to call this a “Mary moment” – an opening of a door, and invitation to take a step. I’ve certainly had many “Mary moments” when I did not step through that open door, but here’s one where I did. About 15 years ago, a friend nudged me to incorporate my faith into my work as a professional theatre artist. My first
response was “What do you mean? That’s not who I am! My theatre life is here
and my faith life is there.” But after thought and prayer (and connecting with other Christian theatre artists in St. Louis), I developed Mustard Seed Theatre, whose mission was to explore issues of faith and social justice. That step led me into moments of ministry I couldn’t have imagined.
Can you think of a “Mary moment” in your life? How did you respond?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your prevenient grace, which is around me, preparing
the way. Help me have open ears and eyes and the courage to step through new
doors. Thank you for the people in my life who encourage me to be your hands,
heart and feet in this world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
By Deanna Jent
Recent
An Unexpected Gift of Spring | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 29
April 2nd, 2025
Sometimes Joy is Simply Doing Your Best | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 28
April 1st, 2025
Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
March 31st, 2025
Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26
March 30th, 2025
Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25
March 29th, 2025
Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
No Comments