The Gospel of John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, you bring joy to every occasion. You transform ordinary moments into celebrations. Help us to cultivate joy in our daily lives. May our homes be filled with laughter and love, just as the wedding feast overflowed with joy. Grant us the grace to share our blessings with others and to bring joy to those around us. Amen.
This is the story of the beginning of signs. Jesus took an ordinary occasion, a wedding, as an opportunity to act. The need was for wine. He worked a miracle to provide the wine. The miracle was also a sign.
This sign was the beginning of many signs Jesus would perform during his ministry. These signs revealed Jesus’ concern and care for others. The signs also clearly spoke of his power and glory. Thus, the depth of the belief the disciples had in Jesus deepened.
The wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, is a powerful and beloved story. It’s the first of Jesus’ signs in the Gospel of John, and it’s rich with symbolism and meaning. This story is about the events that took place in rather ordinary circumstances. Many of the great truths Jesus taught and the miracles He worked took place sort of “on the way.” This event was not planned by the wedding party for His activity. Jesus was simply engaged in life and met a need. That need prevented the wedding party from being embarrassed, because running out of wine at a wedding was a definite problem that would cause a major social embarrassment.
An obvious takeaway is the sheer abundance of the miracle. Jesus didn’t just provide a little more wine; he provided an extravagant amount – 120 to 180 gallons! This symbolizes the overflowing abundance of God’s grace and provision. It also signifies transformation: ordinary water turned into the finest wine. This foreshadows the transformative power of Jesus’ ministry, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
John explicitly states that this miracle “revealed his glory.” It’s a glimpse into Jesus’ divine power and nature. It’s not just a party trick; it’s a revelation of who Jesus is. This is the first of many signs that will point to Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
We cannot forget Mary’s Role. Mary plays a crucial role in this story. She notices the need and brings it to Jesus. Her simple statement, “They have no more wine,” is an act of faith and trust in her son. She then instructs the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” This highlights the importance of obedience and following Jesus’ instructions. Jesus’ initial response to Mary, “Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come,” is interesting. It suggests that Jesus is aware of a larger plan and timing for his public ministry. However, he still responds to Mary’s request, indicating that compassion and meeting human needs are also part of his mission.
This lesson has a lot of symbolism, the symbolism of the Wine: Wine is often used in the Bible as a symbol of joy, celebration, and the blessings of God’s kingdom. The lack of wine at the wedding would have been a embarrassment. Jesus’ provision of wine, therefore, symbolizes the inauguration of a new era of joy and blessing through him. It also foreshadows the wine of the Eucharist, which represents Jesus’ blood and the new covenant.
The Wedding Feast of Cana has always been considered an Epiphany story. God comes out from behind the curtain to show what divine mercy looks like. Empathy means that we identify with fears, suffering, embarrassment, the struggles of others. Jesus does that when he helps the married couple, but he goes beyond that. The wedding banquet is a symbol of what the kingdom is like. God is one with us, now and always providing for us in abundance.
Jesus is ever present in our lives. He calls upon us to obey and believe. He will meet our needs. Sometimes, He works miracles on our behalf. Always, He is present to sustain us and to guide us. As we follow Him, our faith will be strengthened.
Jesus is interested in the details of our lives. He always demonstrates love and compassion.
Let us Pray:
You have gifted the Church
through the goodness of your Grace
to be your hands and do your work,
to be your voice and share your words,
to bring healing to a fallen world
and broken lives make whole.
You have gifted your people
with the blessings of your Spirit,
the power to transform lives
and make all things new.
Now may our hearts receive,
our mouths proclaim,
our hands prepare for service,
that the love that we have known
might overflow the lives we live
and pour into the hearts of others,
that all might receive your Grace,
your renewing Spirit and your love. Amen
Reflections by Bob 