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Read John 2:1-11
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1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
John’s account of this miracle implies that, as we read on, there will be more “signs” to come. Notice how John is precise in his language: These are not just miraculous events but signs — events whose significance is to point to Jesus’ identity and to show how he fulfills expectations associated with the prophets of old. So, what are we to make of this sign, which manifested his glory and resulted in his disciples’ belief in him? A wedding feast with a banquet and wine was a great celebration of God’s blessings and the joy and goodness of life. In addition, those who had been waiting in anticipation of the coming Messiah often depicted the culmination of God’s redemption as a grand feast overflowing with fine wine (Isaiah 25:6-9). In light of this, we can see that this sign points us to see Jesus as the fulfillment of all those long awaited hopes and expectations. We begin to see that Jesus is, in fact the very giver of life, which includes the joy and goodness of life. As we consider what this all means for us, could there be foreshadowing in Jesus’ words, “My time has not yet come” or possibly in John’s note that this celebration took place on the third day?
Prayer: Father, You have given me life and sustain me each day with your hand of mercy. Thank you. Help me to never lose sight of your tender care. Give me confidence to turn to you in all times of need knowing that because of Christ, I am yours. Amen.