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‘And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage.’
Joh_2:2
The narrative of the marriage at Cana in Galilee shows us clearly that our Lord did not disdain the festive board. He went to the wedding-feast and took His disciples with Him. There is no reason why His disciples of to-day should abstain from social entertainments, but we must be quite sure that we can take Him with us. It is a matter of common experience that there are social engagements to which we are invited where, our own instinct tells us, He would not, if I may so express it, feel at home. Where the Master cannot go is no place for the disciple.
I. Some cautions.—But when we go into society let us beware lest, by our own act, or by assenting to the actions of others, we may do harm.
(a) Pride may come there (Mat_23:6).
(b) Vanity may come there—vanity of dress, vanity of face, vanity of manners, vanity of conversation. Souls have been lost in society, having acquired there the habit of turning everything to account for one end—self-display.
(c) Charity may not come there. It comes not, or it stays not, where scandal is—discussion of other men’s affairs, conduct, character.
(d) Even reverence may be wanting. How often has a jest, pointed and winged by Scripture—a ludicrous quotation, or a humorous allusion—planted in some memory an association not to be lost, ruinous to the future use of a whole text or context of inspiration!
II. Positive duties.—But in all watchings against evil there should be a positive striving after good. Let a high aim and a Christian motive go with us into society, and we shall not be there like men armed for self-defence or chained against offending, but rather as free and large-hearted friends, fearing no evil, because God is with us. We must go as Christians.
(a) Earnest prayer for a special blessing will be the preliminary and safeguard of all.
(b) There are many other ways in which he may speak and use influence for his Master. He can win others by the charm of a thoroughly Christian, and therefore powerfully attractive, spirit. Sometimes a word, or scarcely a word of his, will not only check the running down of some maligned character, but even rectify the misapprehension from which slander had started. Sometimes in a crowded reception-room, that which could not, without obtrusiveness, have been said at the table, has been uttered with saving power to an individual guest.
The effect of a Christian man’s presence in common society should be to make others feel that they were in a good atmosphere.
Illustration
‘Christ and His religion are meant for every day. If Christ began by going to a wedding, it is plain that Christ’s religion must have something to do with weddings; if Christ went to what we call a wedding-party, it is plain that Christ’s religion has something to do with our wedding-parties. If Christ took the trouble to find them more wine it is plain that religion has something to do with such things as eating and drinking. Christ began his work by going among people when they were merry and by helping them to be merry too, and so He teaches us that we must have our religion with us when we are merry, and that if we do, He will help us to be merry much better than we can do it ourselves. For you will see that the wine Christ gave them was better than what they had of their own.’