Wednesday 10 December, 2014

2 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. 12 After this, Jesus went down to Capernaum. His mother and brothers and disciples went with him. They all stayed there for a few days.

Matt and Laura got married yesterday. What a joyous day it was! Jesus is all about joy. Our joy. This miracle in John 2 is one of my favourites because it’s a little confusing. No one was healed. No one was saved from hell (not directly anyway) and hardly anyone knew that it was Jesus who did it. So why did he do it? I wonder if it was because the young couple’s joy would have been turned to angst when they realised the wine was gone. Jesus wouldn’t have a bar of that! Not on their wedding day. And dodgy wine would have sufficed since it was late in the celebrations. Again, not with Jesus. Only the best would do. Not a partial miracle, a full miracle. Not partial joy but full joy.

Lord Jesus, when will I learn to live in you? When will I learn to come to you for joy and hope and peace and love? You are magnificent in your miracles and as whimsical in your reasons as simply wanting to give us complete joy. Awesome Jesus! I worship you.   Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen