Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
Today’s reading starts with Jesus turning the water into wine at a wedding. This is the first public miracle that is recorded. At first glance, this can seem like a pretty trivial miracle compared to healing the sick or raising someone from the dead. I think that’s maybe why this one section of scripture can sometimes be easily skipped or skimmed over. I have to remind myself that if it’s in the Bible, it’s important and worth looking at in depth. So that’s what we’re going to do!
In Jesus’ time, wine was a key factor in weddings, and weddings could go on for days. It was the duty of the hosts to provide well for their guests, and running out of wine would’ve been a big social disgrace. Most hosts would even mix water into the wine to ensure it would last. Some scholars believe that the spiritual significance here is that running out of wine could have symbolized the spiritual barrenness of the time.
Jesus takes six stone jars that are filled with water to perform this miracle. The word “stone” here is important because it lets us know that Jesus has chosen water jars that are religious vessels used for ceremonial purity washings. This matters if we’re following along with the symbolism of spiritual barrenness; the water and the vessels that hold it are symbols of spiritual cleansing.
It's also important to note that this is a miracle done mostly in private. At this point, only Jesus’ mother, the disciples, and some servants know what Jesus is doing. Verse 11 tells us that after this miracle, “His disciples believed in Him.” I don’t know this for sure, but it seems like this miracle may have been one to provide the disciples with a stronger foundation before their hard work really began. This miracle wasn’t for the crowds. I think it was for his disciples (and later for us) to see that Jesus held power over the things of the earth and that He provides abundantly for His people. He didn’t have to turn that much water into wine, and He didn’t have to turn it into the best wine. But he did.
When I read back through this passage of scripture with this background knowledge in mind now, it definitely doesn’t seem like such a “trivial” miracle. It’s actually a great reminder of how powerful and gracious Jesus is. It also made me think about the hosts of this wedding and how they may have never known what Jesus did for them.
How many things does He do for me on a daily basis that I don’t even realize? Today, I am praying that God would remind me of my many blessings, and I am so thankful for the way that He constantly provides.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
Take a moment to thank God for the way He has blessed and provided for you and your family.