January 9
John 2.1-12
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
I’ve heard people speak of this story and say that the master of the banquet was impressed with the bridegroom for keeping the better wine till later. Others have said that the master of the banquet was angry with him for doing it the wrong way. I don’t think the master of the banquet is that important for us when we look at this story. His statement is there simply to show that the wine Jesus made for them was better than whatever they could have had before this.
So often, as we walk through the gospels, we find that Jesus does things in ways that are surprising. He does things in ways that are completely different than what people expect and what they are used to. Making exceptional wine at the last minute is the first sign they see. But he will do the opposite of what is expected when they deal with lepers, lame, blind, possessed or bleeding women; and many others who would be deemed unclean.
Jesus did not come into life and leave things as they were. The disciples were called to leave boats, tax collecting, rebellions, and whatever they had been doing to follow him. In the Sermon on the Mount he changes the way they look at so many teachings with the line, “You have heard it was said…but I say to you…” Not taking what was true and making new truths. Taking what was misunderstood and making it right again.
Most of all, when we look at this particular story, we find that the actions of Jesus had their desired effect. Not that the wine was so good. The end of verse 11 – “and his disciples believed in him.” Reminding us of the purpose of all of Jesus’ signs. In John 20:
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
We see Jesus and we believe.
Song – I Believe in Jesus
Prayer
God of power and wonder, we are awestruck by the glory of your presence. We rejoice at what we can see; we marvel at what we cannot see. You dazzle us with your brightness; you overshadow us as with a great cloud. Loving, protecting, challenging, nurturing, you strengthen and transform us. May we love and serve you in all that we are and do. Glory be to you. Amen.