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URC Daily Devotions 13 May 2024

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URC Devotions

13 May 2025
 

St John 2: 1 – 12
 

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. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days.

Reflection

The wedding is a big deal. They had wine enough to begin the festivities — but before long they had run out! We might not appreciate the problem. A quick trip to the shop might solve the problem without any fuss. But enough wine for days of festivities would require a large quantity, and there is no way to get enough quickly. To supply only water for the festivities would be considered a severe social embarrassment for the groom’s family – especially at a time when the groom’s ability to be a good provider is so clearly in view. This is a crisis!

John selects this incident to signify the divine power of Jesus and the beginning of his ministry.  Jesus provides abundance and joy in a situation where they were lacking. Although it is often interpreted as a symbol of Jesus’ ability to transform lives and bring new beginnings, it also reminds us that sometimes we are “too busy” to spend time with friends and relatives.  These are the some of the things I think we disciples can learn from this story.

Celebrations with family and friends are important to Jesus – and should be to us. We shouldn’t feel too spiritual or too busy for such earthly joys and responsibilities.

It’s possible to try to push God into acting on our behalf. Maybe it’s best to be less pushy than Jesus’ mother, or we may be rebuked like she was.

Jesus is not against wine. It’s drunkenness that is wrong, the misuse of God’s gifts, not wine itself.

Miracles need not be showy. To meet the need is enough. Jesus was not a showman.

Jesus’ ministry is now underway with an almost behind-the-scenes glimpse at his glory.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to see this amazing behind-the-scenes ministry of Jesus to meet very human needs. Please give us a compassion for ministry in everyday life so that we can emulate him. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

 

URC Devotions

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