Devotional - June 1, 2002

Passage To Study:

John 2:1-12

[1] On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. [2] Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. [3] And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” [4] Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” [5] His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” [6] Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. [7] Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. [8] And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. [9] When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. [10] And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” [11] This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. [12] After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

What are the facts of the passage?:

The marriage at Cana
Christ's mother was there.
Christ and His disciples were invited.
The wedding feast progresses and there is a surprising lack of wine.
Christ's mother comes to Him and asks Him to intercede and do something about the sudden lack of wine at the feast.
Christ rebukes her.
Christ then sets about solving the problem. He transforms water into wine.
The wine turns out to be the best of all the wine served of the feast.

What do those facts mean?:

I think this miracle has more to say about the relationship of the Old and New Economies. The Old Economy could not contain the New Economy's provisions. The Old Economy had to pass away because it could not contain the new wine of the Work of Christ.

How do those facts apply to my life?:

I must be certain that my entire reliance is on the Christ of the New Economy and not in the Law.

What should I do in response?:

Think carefully about how I think about my life and what I am valuing and how I am thinking.

Day

The Wedding At Cana