Jesus At The Wedding In Cana
JESUS AT THE WEDDING IN CANA
JOHN 2:1-12
Christ often wants us simply to obey.
Jesus, having acquired some disciples, is now invited with them to a wedding. Cana is probably the modern Khirbet Qana, eight or nine miles north of Nazareth. And the presence of Jesus’ mother there suggests that some friend or relative of his family was being married. The wedding celebrations might last several days and it seems as if Jesus and his disciples did not arrive until near the end. It may be that the presence of a number of extra guests put a strain on the resources and the wine ran out. Jesus’ mother (she is never named in the Gospel, cf. 6:42; 19:25-27) mentions the need to him as a simple statement of fact. The seeming rebuff was not one of disrespect—but, nevertheless, a clear indication that he would not be “pressured into action.” His power was not to be controlled merely by a mother-son relationship.
The six stone jars were used to provide water for the washing of hands and of vessels. Jesus’ command to fill them is put into effect completely. Then there occurs what is undoubtedly described as a miracle and no attempt at “rationalizing” looks convincing. God, who is always turning water into wine, now does so in a “speeded-up” way (cf. C.S. Lewis, Miracles). It is not clear whether all the water in the pots was turned into wine or only what was drawn out.
The miracles in John are described as signs—that is, they have a deeper significance than just the action itself. Here the old flat water of Judaism is turned into the sparkling new wine of the gospel. This has been kept “until now.” Christ comes as the heavenly bridegroom (3:29; cf. Mark 2:19-22), who by his presence enriches the social occasions of life and points us forward to the marriage feast of the kingdom (Matthew 22:1-14). His glory is revealed at other times in the Gospel (11:4,40) and the purpose was to bring those to faith in him who had eyes to see. The majority were ignorant about what had happened, the servants knew and expressed wonder, but the disciples saw and believed. How often we fail to have the eye of faith!
Note 2:4: “O woman, what have you to do with me?” seems harsher in English than in Greek. Perhaps it is best to render “Mother,” with the NEB. Jesus emphasizes his independence from human influence in carrying out the will of his Father at his hour (cf. 17:1). We too may pray but never force his hand.
For meditation This incident suggests that mundane, domestic problems such as the dislocation of a wedding feast and the embarrassment of the host are not outside the range of interest of the Lord of Glory. Does this encourage you to share all your problems with him?