The Wedding at Cana

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Prayer

God of all mercy

your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,

release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed:

anoint us with your Holy Spirit

and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord.

Amen

Some thoughts

There is an interesting clue in the first words of the passage, ‘On the third day.’ What comes to mind when we hear those words? Well of course, ‘On the third day he rose again.’ The story of Easter!

John recounts a story from the ministry of Jesus, but he relates it to the resurrection. In the sign of the water into wine there is an anticipation of what is to come, a picture of the future of the resurrected Christ and the new church. This is illustrated towards the end of the passage. What happened following the resurrection and during the appearances to the disciples? The disciples believed in him! 

On top of that, the new church replaces the old religion – you have kept the good wine until now! The good wine represents the faith and new relationship with God that is given to us through the Church as a direct result of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The story of the water into wine becomes relevant not as saving the day at the wedding, but because it is a sign of what is to come. The true meaning of God’s purpose in Christ.

One notice

It now looks as though the two churches will remain closed throughout February. Please keep safe and remember that you are in our prayers.

Stephen Toze