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
Today’s Gospel is the wonderful story of Jesus turning water into wine. Some of my good Norwegian forebears really didn’t appreciate this story. They were deep pietists who opposed any drinking. They weren’t quite sure what to do with a Lord who would not only make wine, but 120 to 180 gallons of it!
But the focus of this reading isn’t so much on wine as it is on the announcement that Jesus is the Messiah. There are Old Testament passages that proclaim that when the Messianic Kingdom comes, there will be an abundance of food and drink. The Messiah will bring in a new fullness and grace. Jesus now appears, and in this first miracle he makes more wine than a wedding party would possibly drink. It is a sign, a fulfillment, of the fullness that God is about.
This same Messiah comes for us and calls us into new life. May we live in the abundance of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Holy Jesus, you are the source of the abundant life. Lead us to live in and share your grace. Amen.