On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’
mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the
wedding. When
the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 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 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.”
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. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. (John 2:1-12)
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 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 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.”
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. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. (John 2:1-12)
Imagine hosting one of the most important
social gatherings of your lifetime, and running out of a critical element. As
much as people like alcohol today, that’s not the parallel I’ll draw first
because that problem could be quickly remedied. Imagine hosting your wedding
banquet, or your child’s wedding banquet and running out of wedding cake before
half the guests have had theirs. How embarrassing.
On the third day after Andrew, Peter and the unnamed disciple spent the afternoon with Jesus, He took them to a wedding. Very likely, the only people who would be considered wedding crashers would be those who came in swinging weapons. Somehow, those in charge of the refreshments under-estimated their need.
Enter Mary, stage left. She notices the problem and went straight to Jesus. Jesus protests. He doesn’t quite say it, but the Son of God really didn’t come to earth to prevent a social embarrassment. Mary waves her hand at His comment and tells the servants to do what He says. In short order the problem is solved more than adequately. The steward is amazed that the best wine was hidden away until last.
There are tales told of Jesus performing miracles as a boy, whether bringing toy birds to life or blinding someone who irritated Him (which doesn’t sound like Him at all.) It seems to me that those stories directly contradict the statement that this was the first sign through which he revealed his glory. I think it also provides the answer to the question sung so beautifully at Christmas time. Mary, did you know? She may not have known or understood all, but clearly, she knew before the disciples did.
All of that aside, this story holds a couple important points. The first is that it is entirely possible to ask God for something that really isn’t in line with His plans, and yet be granted that request. Yes, God foreknew it would happen and He knew what He would do, but this wasn’t one of the items on His “must do” list. While it may have fit His agenda, He didn’t come to earth to acts as a dinner host.
This is one of those areas that I struggle. I want this, and I want that – but I’m afraid or ashamed to ask God for them because they’re something I want. They might glorify me, or they may be even less significant than that. I just want them. They’re certainly nothing that will advance the kingdom, nothing that will bring others to know Christ. I don’t have the confidence that Mary had, that Jesus would do something just to please her. Yes, Mary was his mother. I am His adopted sister.
I’m not suggesting Jesus should or will give us everything we want. But oh, to have the confidence that He might give me what I ask just because He loves me and finds it delightful to do so.
On the third day after Andrew, Peter and the unnamed disciple spent the afternoon with Jesus, He took them to a wedding. Very likely, the only people who would be considered wedding crashers would be those who came in swinging weapons. Somehow, those in charge of the refreshments under-estimated their need.
Enter Mary, stage left. She notices the problem and went straight to Jesus. Jesus protests. He doesn’t quite say it, but the Son of God really didn’t come to earth to prevent a social embarrassment. Mary waves her hand at His comment and tells the servants to do what He says. In short order the problem is solved more than adequately. The steward is amazed that the best wine was hidden away until last.
There are tales told of Jesus performing miracles as a boy, whether bringing toy birds to life or blinding someone who irritated Him (which doesn’t sound like Him at all.) It seems to me that those stories directly contradict the statement that this was the first sign through which he revealed his glory. I think it also provides the answer to the question sung so beautifully at Christmas time. Mary, did you know? She may not have known or understood all, but clearly, she knew before the disciples did.
All of that aside, this story holds a couple important points. The first is that it is entirely possible to ask God for something that really isn’t in line with His plans, and yet be granted that request. Yes, God foreknew it would happen and He knew what He would do, but this wasn’t one of the items on His “must do” list. While it may have fit His agenda, He didn’t come to earth to acts as a dinner host.
This is one of those areas that I struggle. I want this, and I want that – but I’m afraid or ashamed to ask God for them because they’re something I want. They might glorify me, or they may be even less significant than that. I just want them. They’re certainly nothing that will advance the kingdom, nothing that will bring others to know Christ. I don’t have the confidence that Mary had, that Jesus would do something just to please her. Yes, Mary was his mother. I am His adopted sister.
I’m not suggesting Jesus should or will give us everything we want. But oh, to have the confidence that He might give me what I ask just because He loves me and finds it delightful to do so.
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