31 Days of Jesus: Jesus Solves Problems

Today's word prompt for the 31 Days Five Minute Friday Writing Challenge is Problem.

Jesus solves problems.

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus solving problems.

In Luke 5, Jesus causes Peter and his partners to catch a boatload of fish, literally, after fishing and catching nothing all night.

When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.-Luke 5:4-7 (Berean Study Bible)

In John 2, Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding after the guests have run out. 

When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.

“Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”-John 2:3-10 (Berean Study Bible)

In Luke 9, we have a record of Jesus causing 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5000+ people.  The disciples wanted to send them away to get food.  But Jesus was like here, let me fix it.

As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.”

But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.”

“We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” (There were about five thousand men.)

He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” They did so, and everyone was seated.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people.

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.-Luke 9:12-17 (Berean Study Bible)

He repeatedly solved problems when issues arose. When he came into contact with things that needed to be affected in the natural, supernatural things began to happen.

He also healed people over and over and over again. The phrase “and he healed them all” is repeated many times. There are also many individual accounts of healing throughout the Gospels.

In John chapter 5, verse 17, Jesus says, 

But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”

Jesus solves problems.

What problem do you need solved today?

 To read more in the series, please go to 31 Days of Jesus.

Called by God-Mary the Mother of Jesus

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.

And when they ran out of wine, 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.'

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.

Jesus said to them, 'Fill the waterpots with water.' And they filled them up to the brim.

And He said to them, 'Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.' And they took it.

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 bride-groom.

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!

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.-John 2:1-11



I love the role Mary plays in this account. She is a primary person of faith in regards to the miracle Jesus performs. She says one of my favorites lines in Scripture,

"Whatever He says to you, do it."

How would she know to say that to the servants?

We would probably have to take a look back at her life to determine the answer to that question.

She was a young Jewish woman when the angel visited her and told her she was to be the mother of Jesus, who would be the Savior of the world.

In Luke 1:30, the angel tells her, "You have found favor with God."

She doesn't seem extremely alarmed when the angel visits her. He explains to her how that miracle will take place, and she has faith in what he tells her, and says,

"Let it be to me according to your word."

She possibly could had learned the Scriptures as a young girl. She most likely knew the Old Testament stories.

Her faith in the Scriptures, plus her own experience with the miracle power of the Holy Spirit, gave her basis for faith in Jesus. She knew what He was capable of doing.

Up until that point, He had done no miracles. But as soon as He was baptized in the Holy Spirit, He was ready.

When Jesus says to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour is not yet come," He is not chiding her. The term "woman" as used in this particular passage was a term of endearment.

Mary kind of bypasses what He says, and gives the servants instructions anyway. Maybe it also had something to do with the fact that she was His mom. Mothers have a way of encouraging, that no one else does.

But Mary's faith in Him facilitates the miracle.

So, what was the outcome?

Jesus turns the water into wine. This was His first miracle. The Bible calls it, "This beginning of signs."

He also "manifested His glory" and "His disciples believed in Him."

Mary was there at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, fulfilling her purpose, and called by God. She continued to be there throughout His ministry, during His death, burial, and resurrection.

What is your purpose? What is God calling you to do? We should also follow Mary's request to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it. It will produce fruit and miracles in the lives of others.