Tuesday, December 23: John 2- A loving son, a simple act, a mighty declaration.

After reading the entire chapter I returned to the opening account of changing water into wine and spent my pondering time there.

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 (3-11).

One of my first thoughts was about Jesus as a loving son. First the mom, who had been treasuring the events of his life since his birth, was perfectly comfortable coming to Jesus to ask this favor. He was her son and she had no reason to doubt that he would listen to her. For some reason Mary had angst for the bridegroom and didn’t want the wedding celebration spoiled because they ran out of wine. The reason isn’t given but I could imagine any number of scenarios. Imagining like this allows me to ‘enter’ the story. She knew Jesus could do something so she asked and Jesus responds. Love to ask, love in responding. It is amazing how much simple interactions can tell us about relationships.

Quietly Jesus gives a few instructions. No hocus pocus, no call of attention, calmly and quietly Jesus gives the nearby servants two instructions. No one but the servants and disciples witness this event. By the time the ladle reaches the steward the water has become excellent wine. With this simple act Jesus saves the bridegroom from loosing face.

But there is far more to the story than helping an unnamed bridegroom, as John tells us, this simple act was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. This simple act was the first mighty declaration of Jesus’ true glory, the glory of the One and Only Son (1:14). For Jesus, His miracles were always multidimensional.  Somewhere in the miracle is a declaration of who He is and an invitation to believe in Him…

Hoping and praying that everyone who reads this blog believes in Jesus too!

Jesus, thank You for using events in everyday life to reveal who You are. Like the disciples I believe in You. Use me as You used them. Bring around me a community that encourages me to ‘be all I can be in Jesus.’ Push me from my comforts and self-centeredness into more open proclamation of who You are to the world in which I have influence. I love You, Jesus. Amen.