John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:5-10, and 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11
Last Sunday, we reflected on the baptism of Jesus Christ. And this week, Jesus’ public service began in earnest. As the first event, we think of Jesus changing water into wine. When I think about this incident, I picture the characters in it. Jesus, his disciples, Jesus’ mother, servants, the master of the banquet, the bridegroom, and the guests. The wine at the wedding banquet was gone. What if we are having a church communion event, and there are too many people that day and the wine we prepared is not enough? Perhaps the elders and I will be embarrassed. Of course, even if we are embarrassed, I hope more believers will come than the wine we prepared. However, very mysteriously, wine runs out at Cana’s wedding banquet. This phenomenon can happen at any time. However, Jesus’ mother intervenes. “They have no more wine.” Mary did not make a direct request to Jesus. But she knew. Jesus can do anything. She might think that Jesus can help them in his way. From this point on, the phenomenon changes into an event. She told the servants to follow whatever Jesus told them. There are no specific records of her relationship with the groom. But she wanted this feast to go well. She didn’t want people to criticize the bride and groom for not having enough food, including wine. She would be eager to bless the beginning. Of course, it could be a closer relationship. It is crucial here that the servants also did what Jesus told them to do. This happened before the miracles and rumors of Jesus Christ spread. However, despite this, Mary knew the power of Jesus, and the banquet servants obeyed Jesus’ commands. These things cannot be understood by just looking at the phenomenon. Jesus’ mother had faith that Jesus would bring about change with water.
The servants also showed faith by silently following orders to fill the jar with water and deliver it to the banquet master. All of this came together, and a miracle occurred. The water changed into a higher quality wine than the first. If done wrong, the servant, Mary, and Jesus could all be humiliated. But a miracle occurred. Why is that so? Because they had belief. Even if I am lacking, even if I am weak, Jesus can do it. And even though He is now by God’s side, the Holy Spirit is with us.
Sometimes, things happen that we cannot understand with human knowledge. Miracles sometimes occur through God’s good stewards. But before this, I would like to draw attention to the gifts of the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit, like the air, is always with us. He gives us gifts. They are just messages of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Here, Paul reveals that the Holy Spirit gives the gifts (verses 1-3). Remembering this is very important. No matter how many different gifts a person possesses, they can become arrogant if they forget this point. And such self-righteous people develop a sense of entitlement and discount the gifts of others. In the end, this attitude amounts to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the source of all gifts. Indeed, the Holy Spirit gives each person various gifts depending on their individuality and needs (verses 4-6, 11). Thus, some people have gifts related to the Word, others associated with the power of faith, and others related to speaking in tongues (verses 8-10).
However, these various gifts do not have different purposes; they have only one common purpose. It is to achieve the will of the Holy Spirit, the source of all gifts. Of course, the Holy Spirit intends to establish a common good (verse 7). In that sense, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are unified. Therefore, it is essential for those who have received these gifts to recognize the origin, purpose, and diversity of the gifts and use them appropriately for their purposes. In addition to the gifts introduced here, Romans 12:7, 8 presents the gifts of service, teaching, authority, relief, governance, and mercy. The gift of the Holy Spirit is also introduced in Ephesians 4:11. In fact, the gifts introduced in the text only refer to representative miraculous gifts. However, the gifts of the Holy Spirit have a variety of non-miraculous characteristics.
There is a feeling in the Korean church that attaches great importance to the experience of the gift. So, even though it is a Presbyterian Church, many believers believe that pastors and student ministers should speak in different kinds of tongues. As a student, I also went to VBS or retreats and prayed loudly a lot. But I know that there are many different prayer methods and traditions and that each person has their preferred style. So, there are people who pray like this and receive the gift, but there are also many who do not. Some pastors felt burdened by this church culture and prayed by memorizing the Lord’s prayer in Greek. However, I want to say that these gifts of Spirit are literally gifts. In verse 11, Paul writes: “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not ours alone. Also, they are not something we can get just because we want them. Therefore, we must believe that the Lord will give us what we need most at the most appropriate time. Gifts are not something we receive through our efforts. As soon as we forget this, even for a moment, we will fall into vain desires. Therefore, we must live a life of faith daily, looking forward to the Lord’s gifts.
When I lived in Vancouver, I logged their mileage whenever my kids washed dishes, cleaned the house, and contributed. And they exchanged it and got $1 each. And when they buy something they need, they deduct that money from their mileage. But even though my kids often behaved well, it wasn’t enough to cover the cost of the snacks, clothes, and gifts I bought them. But I still enjoy giving my children something under a certain amount as a gift. The heart of our Holy Spirit is richer and kinder than mine. “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” As the poet expressed, I bless you to live in the light of the Lord, in the love of God, with Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit.