The Lord of the Feast
For Meditation
The last couple weeks we have seen Jesus begin his ministry by gathering a few guys as his disciples. In chapter 2, we watch as Jesus begins his public ministry, albeit in a way that we might not expect. Instead of beginning the story of Jesus’ ministry with a powerful miracle of healing, John begins his Gospel with Jesus rescuing an embarrassed wedding host from a social faux pas. In the ancient world, running out of wine at a wedding was a serious failure that could bring significant social shame. Jesus steps in in a miraculous way and not only produces more wine, he creates the best wine in the house. At the very least, this demonstrates that Jesus is no religious prude, but that he and his disciples enjoy parties and know how to bring joy to a feast.
But that is far from the only thing happening here. John says that this was the “first of Jesus’ miraculous signs” (2:11). There are actually seven “signs” in the Gospel of John (seven being a biblical number of perfection), and each of them are pointing beyond themselves to communicate something about Jesus. This particular sign points to the powerful truth that Jesus is the promised Messiah who would bring the long awaited feast with abundant wine, a symbol of eternal joy (Isaiah 25:6-8).
As you prepare for worship this week, think of an area of failure or disappointment in your own life. Ask the Lord to show you how he wants to bring unexpected joy into this area of your life.
John 2:1–11
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.