Devotional:
“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master 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 master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to 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.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” — John 2:1-11
Weddings in the first century were major events that weren’t celebrated in one evening. They lasted for days. They were elaborate, expensive and could make or break a family’s social standing in the community. To run out of wine was a disgrace and would bring much public shame and humiliation to the family. This was not a three-hour event like our weddings today. Most likely, at this point at the wedding in Cana, they had been celebrating for three or four days already.
Mary comes to Jesus seeking help, almost in a panic. We can assume they were close, if not related to the groom's family. Mary did not want to see them humiliated in this way. This was a big deal to her. Jesus was her oldest son, and He was God, so it seemed logical that she would go to Him for help. Her statement was simple. “They have no wine.” And in response, Jesus seemed annoyed that His mother would go to Him about it. In fact, Jesus responds to His mother by reminding her that His purpose is much greater than making a beer run for these wedding guests. His purpose was to fulfill the new covenant of God.
Jesus addressed his mother as “woman.” We immediately read it as being harsh or a little disrespectful. But the way Jesus spoke to Mary that day was actually a very respectful way of addressing a woman back then. Jesus also addressed her in that same way while on the cross as He looked at her and John and said, “Woman, behold your son.” It was also how Jesus spoke to the woman at the well. So, knowing this, we can see how much Jesus loved and respected His mother.
Jesus responded, “What does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come,” We know He was referring to His death and that the burden of the cross weighed heavily on Him. Jesus carried that knowledge with Him throughout His entire ministry. He reminded His mother of His purpose and mission because His hour would be His sacrifice on the cross which would fulfill God’s plan.
But, despite all that, Jesus didn’t walk away. And Mary knew Jesus as her Son, and like any mother knows her child, she knew Jesus’s heart. So, even after His response seemed like a hard no, she still told the servants to do whatever He said.
Jesus turns the water into wine. Not only did Jesus change the water to wine, but He made the best and perfect wine. And these six stone jars were filled with it. According to the text, that was between 120 and 180 gallons of wine. Jesus met the needs of the people that day in abundance.
This was Jesus’s first miracle at the beginning of His ministry. The transformation of water to wine symbolized that the old covenant was no longer needed, and these jars once used for ritualistic cleansing were no longer needed. That was replaced with only the perfect new wine, symbolizing Jesus was the new covenant.
Jesus’s perfect character is revealed with this miracle. He had compassion for the family and He met their needs. Jesus didn’t walk away from it because it wasn’t His time. It was the perfect time. The disciples witnessed Jesus unfold this new covenant by turning these jars of dirty water into the best wine. Jesus was the only thing that could cleanse them.
Jesus was a good and obedient Son. He loved His mother and did what she asked, even after He questioned her. In Jesus’s obedience to His mother, the power and glory of God were displayed. Mary was obedient in asking Jesus for help, and maybe God laid that on her heart. What if she had ignored that nudge to come to Him for help? She didn’t know what Jesus’s response would be, but she did not let that stop her. Little did she know how significant of an impact that simple act of obedience would make at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry and for the kingdom.
We sometimes forget that Jesus was fully God and fully human. He got tired and hungry and irritated, just like us! But He didn’t ignore the needs of others because of His humanness, and He never wasted an opportunity to teach others and show God’s glory in every situation.
Jesus never ignores our hurts or needs. The miracles He gives us may not be what we expected or prayed for, but He never leaves them unanswered. Jesus longs for us to ask Him for help, just like His mother did at the wedding.
Just as Mary was obedient in asking Jesus for help, Jesus was obedient in doing His Heavenly Father’s will. Because of this obedience, we have the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Are you walking away from something that God is clearly telling you to walk toward? Are you being obedient to His voice, even when you don’t feel like you have what it takes?
It is much harder to say yes to the things God asks us to do; I will be the first to admit that. But It doesn’t have to start with a major life-changing “yes!” Just a small step of obedience may be the only thing you need to make a significant impact in this world and for His kingdom.
What small step of obedience will you make this week? I pray you step into it boldly and I pray that you feel God’s presence as you take that first step.