Scripture
This was Jesus' first miracle and he did it in the village of Cana in Galilee. There Jesus showed his glory and the disciples put their trust in him.
Observation
Jesus and his disciples are at a wedding and, due to a catering mistake, they run out of wine.
Mary explains the problem to Jesus who seems reluctant to act. But Mary gives some universally wise advice to the people in charge of the wedding: “Do whatever Jesus tells you to do.”
The rest of the story is familiar.
What is less familiar to us is John's conclusion to the story. This event is a revelation of Jesus' glory.
Application
Three threads run through this story.
1. Jesus' first miracle happens in an insignificant place, for people who aren't important enough to have their names recorded. It takes place in a little village out in the back blocks not in the big city where the movers and shakers are. God delights in blessing people who understand that they are not that important in the world's affairs- but are important to God.
2. Jesus is not “religious.” We might question whether it seems appropriate for Jesus' first miracle to be the production of wine. But there is a real need here that Jesus meets.
3. God's abundant blessing. God loves to give His children specials blessings- a lavish quantity of wine, the best wine. He is not a mean God doling out minimum blessings. Jesus later said, “I came so that you may have life in all its fullness.”
This is not a prosperity doctrine that guarantees riches for all. Rather it means that as we follow Jesus we will see the most wonderful blessings and receive excellent gifts-- the good wine where all we expected was water.
Prayer
Father you give abundantly to all of your children. Help me never to be afraid of missing out on your good gifts. Amen.
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