“Jesus manifested his glory at Cana”

Saturday (January 7):

Scripture: John 2:1-11(alternate reading: Matthew  4:12-17,23-25)

1 On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. 3 When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Meditation: God reveals his glory in the unlikeliest of places – in a stable at Bethlehem, at a wedding party in Cana, in a muddy Jordan river, and on a bloody cross on Golgatha. Jesus’ first public sign and miracle (see helpful article,Water Into Wine: How Christ Transforms Us) was performed at the insistence of his mother. Jesus blessed a young couple and brought joy to their wedding party. First by his presence, and second by saving them from embarrassment when the wine ran out. Changing water into wine was a remarkable act of kindness; but giving the best to last was unnecessary and unheard of. In the Old Testament wine was often seen as a gift and symbol of God’s blessing (Deuteronomy 7:13; Proverbs 3:10, Psalm 105:). That Jesus would miraculously produce 120 gallons of the best wine (many times more than needed) shows the superabundance of the blessings which he came to offer.

This miracle signifies the new rich wine of the Gospel and it points to the “wine of the new covenant” and the “bread of life” which Jesus provides for his disciples in the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. It also points to the Messianic banquet which Jesus will provide at the end of time. The miracles of Jesus demonstrate the power of God’s love and mercy for his people. God’s kindness knows no limits. And the ultimate expression of his love is revealed in the person of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He became flesh for our sake, and he died for our redemption, and he rose for our glorification.  Do you thirst for God and for the life of holiness he offers?

“Father, you have revealed your glory in our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may bring you glory in all that I do and say.”

Psalm 149:1-9

1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful! 
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King! 
3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre! 
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. 
5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches. 
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, 
7 to wreak vengeance on the nations and chastisement on the peoples, 
8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, 
9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is glory for all his faithful ones.  Praise the LORD!