(Please read John 2: 1-11)
Over the next 5 weeks, we’re going to focus on the miracles that Jesus Christ performed. In the spirit of Christmas, it will also allow us to focus on the miracle-maker over the miracle itself. The time leading up to Christmas is also known as Advent, meaning: ‘Coming’ in Latin. It is a time of reflection and preparation to celebrate Jesus’s coming to earth as a lowly baby to save the world — for eternity.
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
Jesus was not known do anything randomly. The apostle John, deliberately mentioned that the wedding at Cana was “on the third day”. Many scholars believe that this reference was included to mirror the significance of the third day of the resurrection — the wedding of Christ with his bride, the church.
The wine was not created out of thin air, but rather from water from huge jars used for ceremonial purification. The profound symbolism of this miracle also signifies that the old covenant lacked the full resources for our ultimate salvation, that only the completeness of the new covenant could guarantee. Changing the ceremonial water into wine was almost like Jesus saying, they wouldn’t need that anymore in light of the arrival of the new covenant.
A wedding is the celebration of love between a man and woman from two different paths, joining together as one. It is the change from one element into another. Much like, turning water into wine was bringing new life out of old. The wedding was also one of God’s favored symbols of the covenant he has made with us.
Jesus can provide all that we need. He didn’t turn the water into wine because it meant life or death to the wedding party or guests. It empowered those at the celebration for his purpose. He did it because it glorified him.
“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory”
This first miracle added to the joy of the wedding but it did not draw attention away from the bride and groom. It did not distract anyone from the wedding day. All of Christ’s miracles point to the power, humanity, and reality of God. Sadly, many at the people at the wedding probably never got to know the “wine maker” because they were too focused on the wine.
The point is not the message of the miracle, it’s not about the wine, it’s about the messenger.
“I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5)
Application:
- Is your life centered on your circumstances?
- Do you look for the glory of God in the circumstances of your life? When something bad is going on, do you seek an understanding from God’s point of view?
- Do you get distracted from your life because of good or bad circumstances? Do you let them navigate your soul?
Key Takeaways:
- When good things happen, do you focus your attention on the events, or the One who is behind them?
- Pay attention to how you can grow or help others from these challenges.
- Be soul-centered, let your faith and ultimate trust in Christ be your navigator.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.