The Wedding Gift

The Wedding Gift

“If not now, when?”

What is the secret of comedians and the envy of politicians? Timing. Being in the right place won’t mean an awful lot if you aren’t there at the right time. E.T. Bell said, “Time makes fools of us all.” This statement of unavoidable fact should underscore a few things brought to light in this week’s episode of The Chosen. Not knowing what will happen five seconds from now makes us pretty poor determiners of our own fate, that there truly is a time for every season under Heaven, that faith and time are interrelated elements, and that God is the only one who holds dominion over them all. This episode is effused with metaphor throughout as the disciples begin to follow Jesus and end up at a certain wedding in Cana. At one point as this new group introduces themselves to one another, Simon describes how his father taught him to become a fisherman. He said, “We sat and watched and then became fishermen”. There is a correlation there with becoming a Christian as well. (Or a “better” Christian) If we sit and wait, ignoring the clamoring voice of our own doubts and insecurities, we can see Christ work in our lives and understand the necessity of leaning on Him even more.

As mentioned before, the disciples began to share with one another their own unique testimonies in this episode, each one excitedly telling how their encounter with Jesus changed them. None of the group quite understanding the reason why. Benny drew our attention to John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” You see, Jesus choosing us has very little to do with us, but what we can do for His Kingdom, which He will empower us to do! We then become merely vessels. “Remove the dross from the silver, and the silversmith can produce a vessel” (Proverbs 25:4) This “rag-tag” group of followers wondered how backwards their positions were from what was typical. Usually it is the student who chooses the teacher, but this Teacher looked out and chose His own students specifically. And the same pierced hand that picked out Simon, Andrew, Mary, Thaddeus, John and both the Jameses has selected you.

It is at this juncture most people react as Thomas did, with a “healthy degree of skepticism”. (Read: doubt) We are introduced to young Thomas in this episode as he saw firsthand at the wedding feast the “catastrophe” that arose. One of the interesting things about this series and its dogged portrayal of such grounded situations is to see more fully how miniscule our problems are in light of God’s mission. We are introduced to character archetypes that most certainly existed then and are absolutely present today, such as the insufferable in-laws, the self-important busy bodies, the beleaguered servants, or the harried and well-meaning family member. All focused on if their clothing is nice enough, if the decorations are adequate, if the food is elegant enough, or if people’s expectations are met. In the midst of all the mendacity calmly sits the Savior, beginning His march towards the cross to atone for our mindless, petty, selfishness. It is from these small-minded folk that Jesus chose His disciples. From such uninspired stock would be the ones to lead His Church. “This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him.” (John 2:11) And it was at this small wedding feast where Jesus unveiled Himself to His Bride.

We are supposed to understand Thomas’ trepidation. After all, none of us would feel adequate for such a calling as to become an Apostle. But that’s rather the point. The Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant is quoted as follows, “Never a straight thing was made from the crooked timber of man.” And that’s regrettably true, up to a point. It is not an accident that Jesus was raised in the home of a craftsman. He crafted His Church from the broken flotsam that is man. There is no other ingredient to work with, we don’t offer much. But. It. Is. Never. About. Us. Upon witnessing the miracle of turning the water into wine, Thomas is faced with a decision that we are faced with as well. Where can you go when all of your doubts are gone? Doubt (read: fear) is a hiding place. We use it to shield us from action, or at least to excuse inaction. We do this because the truth is a much more intimidating prospect. There was a large portion of discussion which revolved around our limitations both real and perceived. Sometimes the only thing we can be confident in is our own shortcomings. But this ignores the most important piece of the puzzle. The one that presented itself when Simon jumped out of his boat and fell at the feet of Jesus. The one that looked into Thomas' bewildered eyes and invited him to follow. The one that obeyed the Father including even death on a cross to look you in the eye and make to you the same invitation. The piece of the puzzle that tells us that our past does not dictate our future. Your past is paid for, your future is not your own. Why assume what you “can” or “cannot” do, what you deserve or don’t deserve? No one here on this planet has the ability or more importantly the right to make such a designation. Only the One who purchased you can. And what He is calling you to happens to be exactly what you were made for.

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34) If we are not to worry about tomorrow, what makes you think we’re allowed to fret about yesterday? Jesus revealed Himself to His Bride at a wedding feast. What is a wedding if not a celebration of a new beginning? Taking disparate elements and joining them to become something more than merely the sum of their parts. Fusing together a new entity, to remove it from the past and dedicate it towards the future. A new way of life, a new way of seeing time. Faith (and faithfulness) is proved with time. We measure time by seconds, days, months or even years. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNTITLED!!) But God has no need for such a tiny viewpoint, He is aware of eternity, always and ever-present. His faithfulness is unshakeable, because it eternally is. And He is calling you, which means if He is calling you then He always has been and will be. From the foundations of the earth He calls you, to the end of this earth, He calls you. The master fisherman He sits and watches, will you climb into the net? That’s the choice you know. Some view that as being captured, but don’t understand the emptiness of the ocean around them and the danger that awaits them. God reaches down to rescue you. And that brings us back to the timing. His patience is infinite, but our life is brief. The choice is ever-present to you, but you have to make it. And in a moment life can change. Before “I do” there are two people, afterwards there is one. Before “I accept” there is the encumbrance of the past, afterwards only the promise of a future. The choice is yours, the only question is which moment will define you. If not now, when?

Jordan Williamson