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
When the wine ran out during the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ mother didn’t tell Jesus about this problem just for herself. Instead, she spoke on behalf of everyone at the wedding. It’s not enough to ask God to provide only for our (perceived) personal needs. We’re on a life journey with all of God’s creation. God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves by striving to meet everyone’s needs. During difficult transitions, people frequently say resources are scarce, there’s not enough for everyone, and services should halt. Consequently, we must courageously advocate on behalf of and with our siblings whom society often ignores, marginalizes, or vilifies. Remember, when Jesus turned water into wine, he made abundant quantities of “good” quality wine. God provided enough for everyone. So, as we journey together through challenging transitions, God expects us to act boldly for the common good. God provides enough for everyone.
Prayer
God of abundance, when times are challenging, help us not to focus only on ourselves and our needs. With our neighbors, empower us to speak and act boldly to meet everyone’s needs. Amen.
Interested in digging deeper into today’s text?
Read more here.