David Bahn – Reflections

John 2:1-3

On the third day there was a wedding. It took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. ² 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.”

I’m not certain just what Mary had in mind when she informed Jesus that the hosts of the wedding feast had run out of wine. There are several possibilities. She may have been suggesting that since the wine had run out, it was time to leave. It may be that she was just sharing a juicy bit of gossip, in some sort of “tsk, tsk” fashion. It could be that she wanted Jesus to send his disciples out to buy wine for the party. And it could be that she was urging Jesus toward his first miracle.

We do know, however, that Jesus did perform a miracle in spectacular style. He not only changed water into win, but he changed a lot of water into a lot of wine, and the quality was superb! Jesus was happy to let the festivities continue; he is no party pooper! Nor does Jesus chide the hosts for their lack of planning. And the manner in which he does this miracle mutes any attention that would be given to him – only the servants knew that Jesus had provided the new wine. Yet his glory was revealed in this act. And his disciples put their faith in him.

When I think of miracles, or even seek God’s help in miraculous intervention, I’m not certain I give as much thought to Jesus’ glory as I do to my need or desire. It’s very easy to focus on our needs and desires rather than the glory of Christ as the main purpose of a miracle. That’s a challenge I want to embrace a bit more today. Rather than thinking about or hoping for some miracle I want to learn to look for Jesus’ glory and be strengthened in my faith in him.

John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding. It took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. ² 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 “Dear woman, why do you bring me into this?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do what he tells you.”

⁶ Six stone water jars stood nearby. The Jews used water from that kind of jar for special washings to make themselves pure. Each jar could hold 20 to 30 gallons.

⁷ Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the top.

⁸ Then he told them, “Now dip some out. Take it to the person in charge of the dinner.”

They did what he said. ⁹ The person in charge tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He didn’t realize where it had come from. But the servants who had brought the water knew.

Then the person in charge called the groom to one side. ¹⁰ He said to him, “Everyone brings out the best wine first. They bring out the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink. But you have saved the best until now.”

¹¹ That was the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs. He did it at Cana in Galilee. Jesus showed his glory by doing it. And his disciples put their faith in him.