John 2:1-11 (NRSV)
Read John 2:1-11 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Verse 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. Verse 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Verse 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." Verse 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Verse 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Verse 7Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. Verse 8He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. Verse 9When 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 Verse 10and 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." Verse 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Devotion
Yesterday, we asked what we are to make of this story of Jesus at a wedding at Cana, where the wine gives out. We suggested the point certainly has something to do with Jesus’ presence bringing joy to a common human event. But when the gospel writer describes Jesus’ action as a “sign,” that is a clue to something more. A clue to that something more lies in Jesus’ response to his mother’s request—“My hour has not yet come”—and in the gospel writer’s concluding comment that Jesus’ action revealed his “glory” and his disciples “believed in him.”
This is only the beginning of a fuller story. Jesus’ “hour” will eventually come in his suffering and death, and there at the cross, we like these disciples at Cana will come squarely to the agenda of this gospel story. Will the story of Jesus and his presence among us accomplish its goal, to bring us to faith, so that we like all who believe might have life in his name.
Prayer
O God of Love, help us to see the signs of your love among us in the gift of your Son, and by your Spirit enable us to know and believe that in him is truly our life and salvation. Amen.