Jesus' First Miracle - John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11 (NIV)

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.

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My Notes:

Scripture's story is a romantic one. The oppressed Bride is rescued by a loving sacrificial prince who comes first in disguise, and later on a white horse with a sword to bring vengeance to their enemies. They are married, and he rules as king forever.

It is not surprising that Jesus' first miracle would be at a wedding. He's very romantic. He loves romantic love. He loves to celebrate. He loves to be with people. All of this is clear in scripture.

Interesting that Jesus says his time hasn't come, but then he does the miracle anyway.

Also notable to me is that he chose to make wine - a lot of it - for people who have already had so much to drink that they wouldn't know better. Clearly, he has made alcohol for drunk people. Scripture is clear about drunkenness, that it is sinful. Scripture is also clear that Jesus did not sin.

Heavenly Father,

Thankyou for the romance, celebration, and joy of your son. Thankyou for the great anticipation that we now have for the great wedding after time when we are perfected and united with Christ.

God, please build our faith. Increase our anticipation. Remind us of our true home and family, so that we may be homesick for you, and for our future spouse.

Thankyou for those little celebrations that we get here on earth, for communion and for baptism and for church. Thankyou for the incredible generosity of your sacrifice, that you would five so freely of your life for us, who do not even fully know or understand what a potent gift it is.

You are more than enough. You are more powerful than necessary. You are more beautiful than what is knowable. You are better than we can conceive of.

AMEN