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.” 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 ESV]
It is apparent that Mary had seen her son perform some amazing things before this day.
I wonder if she had seen him heal someone in the quiet of their home?
I wonder if miracles were commonplace in their family?
The interaction between Jesus and his mother is so interesting.
I can almost sense a bit of annoyance in his response to her.
In that response we sense that the Lord is preparing to take his ministry public.
I wonder what was going through the servants' minds when Mary spoke to them?
And when do you think they saw the water turn to wine?
Can you imagine the awe they felt in that moment?
Interesting how John reports that Jesus "manifested his glory".
Perhaps that is a definition of a miracle?
Perhaps all miracles are simply manifestations of the glory of God?
I wonder if such miracles are what John referred to when he said "we have seen his glory".
I imagine that they never got used to such glorious things.
Walking with Jesus had to be like nothing anyone could ever imagine.
Like Moses we all say “Please show me your glory.”
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
Your comment about "manifested his glory" made me think of Father Raymond E. Brown's commentary on The Gospel According to John.
ReplyDeleteBrown says this miracle is the first of a series of miracles, each greater than the last, which "manifest the glory" of Jesus. The final one before the crucifixion and resurrection is raising Lazarus from the dead.
Brown calls these "signs," a word used in John's description of some of the miracles in the series.
John tells you from the first line that Jesus is the prexistent one who was with God at creation. The signs are one way Jesus tries to convey who he is ("manifest his glory") to the disciples.
One other thing--I very much enjoyed your comment on this scripture today.
ReplyDeleteExcellent comentary on these Scriptures Bob.
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with the relationship the move The Passion of Christ showed between Jesus and his Mom. Some very stern and otheres even humerous. I can believe that.