A Miracle at a Wedding – John’s gospel chapter 2, verses 1 to 12
The Invitation
Jesus was not a monk. He went to the wedding. He approves of both joy and marriage.
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.
John 2:1-2
The Problem
A social embarrassment – they had run out of wine! Mary is confident he will help (though it is not yet time for him to openly show himself as the Son of God).
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.’
John 2:3-4
The Solution
Full-to-the-brim water jars are turned to the best wine. No room for trickery, no fanfare, no showmanship, just quiet help in need. God is not stingy! Once there was no wine; now there is joy at the wedding feast.
5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
John 2:5-10
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres. 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 realise 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.’
The Purpose & Responses
He reveals his glory as God’s Son, but only to a few (His mother, his disciples and the waiters). Joy in the Lord replacing the drudgery of the old way of trying to keep all the rules.
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.
John 2:11-12 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
