Seven Signs: Wonder at the Wedding

(Reflections on the sign of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana found in John 2:1-11)

The scene is painted fairly clearly by John. It’s a wedding, there are festivities involved, Jesus’ Mum is there and so is Jesus and His disciples. So far, so straightforward.

There’s that interesting conversation that takes place between mother and son which reminds me a lot like a Mum who knows her son is a whizz at computers getting him to fix someone’s computer on a whim and the son saying it’s not time to show off his computer whizz skills yet. Clearly, though, this is not just a case of being able to help out with fixing a problem with why the computer doesn’t come on only to discover you forgot to plug everything in.

What is Jesus’ Mum expecting of her son? Why is she insisting that He do something? Why is he somewhat resistant only to go on and do something truly wonderful?

This is a big issue in terms of the festivities carrying on without a hitch, but is it really that big a deal in the larger scheme of things? Why is it worth John recording this? Why is it worth us taking the time to consider this example? First, it’s a wedding. If there’s an event where it’s fitting that Jesus shows us who He is, there are few other social events better than a wedding. The Son of Man is coming for the Bride set for Him. He’s here to make her beautiful and ready for their celebration. The heart of that celebration is the wine – for the wine is a vivid expression of the life and soul of the party. It would be a shame if the wine ran out because it would give the impression that you didn’t plan properly and leave people somewhat disgruntled at things. There is the stigma and the shame attached with that as well. Jesus swooping into the rescue saves people from shame and keeps the celebration going. The celebration of glorious union and the celebration that is a social event bringing people together to rejoice over what God has brought together. I’m sure there are plenty of people that can talk about the significance of the vessels used to carry the water.

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:5 (ESV)

What intrigues me on this reflection is the degree to which those servants were obedient to the instructions given by Jesus’ Mum. That’s remarkable to me for them to pay attention to her and then go on to pay attention to Jesus giving the most bizarre instructions to address the situation. When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness, the devil looked for Him to do something to meet his immediate hunger pangs. Here, however, it’s not as though people had a gratification issue with the wine, it was just a matter of things being done properly to keep the party going. Jesus here sees an opportunity to serve and does so with such a wonder that it has an impact on those who chose to follow Him.

“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

John 2:10 (ESV)

This is one of my favourite parts of the episodes of Jesus recorded in scripture. Jesus bucking the trends of the day and doing it in a subtle way so that only those who are in the know have something to remember this by. Convention says to keep the dregs for the last part of the festivities. People would have already had a taste of the best stuff at first. Jesus is not just offering a quick fix to let things pass without shame, he’s bucking the conventions of the day. He saves the best for last so that will have a lasting effect on those who take part in the festivities. Hust to see how Jesus is expressing the glory of God to provide top quality stuff that has remarkable effects. This is what Jesus brings with Him. He’s not just there to let things float by, He’s there to leave a mark of excellence in the place that will get those who follow Him to see the reason to keep believing.

I should keep on believing in Him, because He is the one who will do what it takes to keep the celebration going in ways of wonder not for His benefit but of service to others. I should keep on believing because He can operate in unorthodox ways to bring about unconventional outcomes that bring glory and honour to His name. He is the Son of God as He exercises this degree of power over things as simple as water.

Today, I look to trust Him as being one who is able to turn water into wine so that the life flows in the party, so I trust the beautiful wine that keeps the life going in those who believe in Him will be recipients of that desire to serve for His glory.

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Questions based on Jesus turning water into wine

• What does this episode tell you about Jesus?
• What does this episode tell you about Jesus’ mother and how can that have an influence on your relationship with Jesus?
• What can you learn from this sign when it comes to your life?
• What do you understand from how the disciples responded and how is that important for your relationship with Jesus?
• “You have kept the best until now.” Meditate on these words and consider why they have meaning both in this situation and beyond.
• What does it mean that Jesus ‘revealed his glory’ and why should that matter to us in our quest to keep on believing Jesus?
• How is Jesus revealed as the Son of God worth believing in?

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden