Transformation is what it's all about
Jesus has already called a band of men to ‘follow’ him and learn from him, but he has not yet started the public phase of his ministry. He traveles to Cana to attend a wedding bringing his disciples with him. Wedding celebrations usually lasted a week; hospitality was a social obligation and not having sufficient provisions for the guests would be a shameful disgrace to the host. It is under these circumstances that the mother of Jesus whispers to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus responds that it is not yet time for him to begin his public ministry. Nothing daunted the Mother of Jesus finds the servers and instructs them to, “Do whatever he tells you.” Following Jesus’ instructions the servants re-fill the massive stone water pots. It was customary to neither eat nor drink without washing the hands frequently, so there was plenty of water on hand. “Now, draw out some water and take it to the superintendent of the banquet,” said Jesus. The superintendent tasted ‘the water that had become wine’, and remarked that it was usual to serve the best wine first, and inferior wine later, but this bridegroom had saved the best to the last.
John, who recounts this incident, tells us that no one knew about the water, except the servants who had filled the stone water jars to the top and then drawn water out of them. In the serving of the water it became wine. No one knew at that time, but today everybody knows. People who never go to church, people who have forgotten to read their Bibles, know this story.
Not only because it is a happy story, but because it has significance. John calls it a ‘sign’. Of course it was a miracle, but the miracles Jesus did were not like conjuring tricks done to confound people and convince them of the power of the miracle worker. Jesus’ miracles always had meaning, and pointed to something beyond the event.
People remember this story because it reassures them; it signifies that regular people, living everyday lives, are important to Jesus; that he understand the difficulties they encounter in normal living. It reassures people who, after asking God for help are looking into jars full of water and hoping it will turn into wine, it does! Whenever someone has the trust to draw water out of the water-pot and the courage to pour it out into wine glasses. .
The most significant part of the story is that the water changed into wine. We long for change; we want to change ourselves, our circumstances, our prospects. This story signifies that change is the work God had begun to do through Jesus. God changes us from what we are to what God intends for us to be. God will change everything including this earth that we have smogged and scarred, he will make a new city where he will live with the people who have trusted him. Our future is a journey towards the restoration of all things and everything. This change that has happened and continues to happen is the inner witness we have that the thing signified is true.
Gospel of John chapter 2 verses 1-11
John, who recounts this incident, tells us that no one knew about the water, except the servants who had filled the stone water jars to the top and then drawn water out of them. In the serving of the water it became wine. No one knew at that time, but today everybody knows. People who never go to church, people who have forgotten to read their Bibles, know this story.
Not only because it is a happy story, but because it has significance. John calls it a ‘sign’. Of course it was a miracle, but the miracles Jesus did were not like conjuring tricks done to confound people and convince them of the power of the miracle worker. Jesus’ miracles always had meaning, and pointed to something beyond the event.
People remember this story because it reassures them; it signifies that regular people, living everyday lives, are important to Jesus; that he understand the difficulties they encounter in normal living. It reassures people who, after asking God for help are looking into jars full of water and hoping it will turn into wine, it does! Whenever someone has the trust to draw water out of the water-pot and the courage to pour it out into wine glasses. .
The most significant part of the story is that the water changed into wine. We long for change; we want to change ourselves, our circumstances, our prospects. This story signifies that change is the work God had begun to do through Jesus. God changes us from what we are to what God intends for us to be. God will change everything including this earth that we have smogged and scarred, he will make a new city where he will live with the people who have trusted him. Our future is a journey towards the restoration of all things and everything. This change that has happened and continues to happen is the inner witness we have that the thing signified is true.
Gospel of John chapter 2 verses 1-11
posted by Jessie Coates at 10:17 PM
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