What is Your Favorite Role in Relation to Jesus?
by Nancy Petrey
As Christians there are many roles we play in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are disciples, friends, worshipers, servants, children, sheep, joint-heirs, subjects, ambassadors, soldiers, and the bride of Christ.
These are wonderful roles, and God makes it possible for us to fulfill them all. But we must not lose sight of God’s overarching purpose for the Church – He is seeking a wife for His Son. The Bible begins and ends with a marriage! God performed the first wedding ceremony in joining the “first Adam” to his wife Eve.
In the back of the book we see the “second Adam,” Jesus Christ, and His wife at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It is significant that Jesus did His first miracle at a wedding, turning water into wine. This was no happenstance. It demonstrated His priority of ministry. But why turn water into wine? Maybe the answer is found in a song the Lord gave me. When I was arranging my collection of poems and songs into a book, Habitation of Honey: Poems and Songs, I realized that there was a recurring wedding theme, so I placed “The Wedding Feast” at the end of the book to sum up that theme. The back cover accentuates the theme with a beautiful chuppah (wedding canopy) and the chorus of this song:
The Wedding Feast
(You Are Aged Wine)
~ Song based on John 2:1-11 ~
Have you ever heard the story of the wedding in Cana of Galilee?
Have you thought much about the stone pots that were used for the wine?
They were sitting there waiting to be used; they had great capacity,
But till Jesus came they were empty as they could be.
There was a wedding, and Jesus had them filled to the brim with water.
He said, “Draw some out. Take it to the master of the feast.”
When the master of the feast tasted the water that was made into wine,
He called the Bridegroom and said, “What you have done is so very fine.”
The world serves their best wine at the first and saves the worst till last,
But Jesus has a better idea: He ages His wine.
And as the days grow long, and you don’t feel so strong, He will come to you,
Fill you up with Living Water, and He’ll change you into finest wine.
CHORUS 1:
You are aged wine. I’ve been saving you a long time.
You are aged wine. You are a wonder and a sign.
You are aged wine. To everything there is a season and a time.
The Bridegroom has had a long fast. He’s saved the very best till last!
You were that water pot that was empty till Jesus came your way.
At the wedding of your spirit, you were filled with Living Water, just a pot of clay.
Now He’ll pour you out, and you’ll quench the thirst of a dying world.
He’s saved the best till last. You’re the finest wine that He has!
CHORUS 2:
You are aged wine. I’ve been saving you until the end of time.
You are aged wine. You are a wonder and a sign.
You are aged wine. The King is coming soon, He’ll say, “You are Mine.”
The Bridegroom at last will have His bride, and He’ll take you to His side.
He’ll take you up into the air – for this day you must prepare –
To His throne in New Jerusalem for the wedding feast of the Lamb!
Words & Music by Nancy Petrey, June 12, 1995, © October 23, 1995;
Revised September 13, 2009
This song is an encouragement to Christians in their sunset years, whose greatest days of service are still ahead. So the book closes with anticipation of the arrival of our Bridegroom, which should be the focus of every Christian’s life.
The most exciting aspect of my relationship with Jesus is that I am the bride of Christ. What is yours?
Nancy, this is so encouraging to me now that I am in my sunset years. Indeed, He has saved the very best till last! The best years, the best plans for me, the best days of service to Him! I have never felt closer to the Lord, nor have I been more content, than I am in these, my sunset years, as I eagerly anticipate being joined in marriage with the Lord. Who knew that my last years would be my best?! Thank you for your encouraging words.
I feel Holy Ghost chills, sitting here reading your wonderful comment! Amen, sister! Go, girl, go! Jesus has truly saved the very best till last, His end-time generation. May all of us be faithful to His call and do so joyfully. You are a good example.
Love, Nancy
Jean, I remember singing that song to your father as he lay in the bed, having given up all hope of living. We were overjoyed to see that he rallied and had more time on this earth to fulfill God’s calling. Wow! What a thrill to have participated in a miracle. I still have the gift you presented to me, my song beautifully framed to hang on my wall. Thank you. It is a treasure, and it hangs in our den.
Blessings,
Nancy
Nancy, I remember that special time, too, as you sang your song for Dad. It meant so much to him and to us, his family. Later on, when Dad died, I remember thinking that he was indeed aged wine, full of the flavor and traits (fruits) of a life lived only to please his Lord. Yes, he was of a rare and wonderful Vintage!
Oh how encouraging that last poem/song is! Yes yes I am the bride of Christ and He says “Come”. I love that! I already have the book and it is very uplifting and encouraging. Very scriptural!
Barbara,
Thank you for your positive comment.
God bless you,
Nancy
Dear Sis, Remembering what our Daddy said about us being likened to sheep in the Scriptures, it occurs to me, after considering your question, that by default my favorite (only?) role in relation to Jesus is being one of his sheep. Maybe more important roles will present themselves, but for now my qualifications probably relegate me to this humble role. Hey, ask some easier questions!
David, I love that role! “We are His people and the SHEEP of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.” The 100th Psalm is so good, isn’t it? I think I memorized it as a child, and it’s still in my memory bank. Yes, I remember Daddy talking about that. I just don’t like the “smelly” part. Ha! I love the Shepherd taking care of us (23rd Psalm), and the Messiah carrying us in His bosom and gently leading those with young (Isaiah 40:11). I think you have hit on something beautiful! You got me to thinking – and the Messiah was a Lamb also the first time He came. Thanks for commenting.
Love,
Nancy