WHAT NEXT WHEN THE SWEET WINE OF THE ROMANCE IS OVER?:

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding….This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him”. John 2:1-2, 11(NKJV).

What an amazing facts! The first miracle and manifestation of the glory and ministry of Jesus Christ was at a marriage occasion. The miracle at the wedding in Cana revealed a condition that is common to all men and women in marriage. It’s not the story we are after but the enigma behind the collapse of marriages that is being highlighted in the marriage at Cana of Galilee.

In the original setting of the story, there was a marriage at Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was in attendance. Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the wedding. While the celebration was going on, Mary knew that something was out of place. She knew the problem behind all the gimmicks, delay tactics and cover-up that was employed by the rulers of the feast and the bridegroom. Mary has no money or power to help, but she has Jesus the source of all joy. So, she reported to the master in the most simple and profound way: ‘They have no more wine!’ The marriage is going unpleasant and hostile; faces of the couples are tightened and lovely smiles are getting scarce; the man frowns at almost everything the wife does now; the wife is no more ‘good looking’ as before, all because they have no more wine; their wine has finished.

Bitter complaints and critism about the dinner becomes prominent; the man now has several long hour chat with the secretary in the office and always come late at night. They now have separate account, sleep on a separate bed, pray separately and each tries to keep some secrets; communication has become scarce and possibly in short waves all because they have no more wine.

“When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" John 2:9-10 (NKJV)

Unknown to the ruler of the feast that the wine was not from the store of the bridegroom, he summoned the groom with a most revealing confession of his heart; “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the worse..”

Most of the marriages that are now in shamble did not begin that way. The SWEET HUSBAND has now become the SWEAT HOUSE-BAND. He might be very caring at the beginning but now a terror in the home. She might be that gentle and romantic lady but now a nagging type. Then regret chip in “had I known I wouldn’t have accepted to marry him/her”. Why was she so unpredictable? Why didn’t I know him? Listen to the voice of the ruler of the feast…. “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine…”

Learn a lesson from this story and allow Jesus to perform His miracle in your quest for true marriage partner. Don’t be carried away by the wine of that man/woman. Only Jesus can give you real and lasting wine (husband/wife). When they ran out of wine at the Cana wedding feast, Mary the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." John 2:3-5. Wait for God’s timing, do not rush. Listen to Christ before tying the rope. Whatever He says to you, do it and your marriage wine will never runs out. I trust that as you read further this book will help you to explore personally and more about the manufacturer’s manual on marriage.

Every man….. This is the fact. Every man tries to set his best wine at the beginning of the relationship. The good wine is set for the beginning and the worse wine kept for the other days. When men are well drunk, and then come the worse. This is the nature of humans. Most start their marriages at the level of intoxication. They overwhelmed their partner with gifts and care. They get them drunk with much attention, hospitality and much generosity until they ‘fall in love’ with them. As she gets drunk, she gives less consideration to issue of the future. Then comes the flamboyant wedding; some might even borrowed money to showcase their wedding. All of this last until they are well drunk, then that which is worse. When their good wine is finished, then they set forth that which is worse.