Lenten Devotions
Today’s Scripture Reading | 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 a few days. (NRSV)
Reflection
The first miracle of Christ has been told and retold both in church and non-church settings. I will never forget a comedian saying when Jesus turned the water into wine he was basically saying, “Keep the party going.” While the joke is meant to bring laughter, that’s exactly what Jesus does.
Jesus has the power to improve us no matter the condition we are in. In verse 10, the chief steward says, “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.” The more I reflect on this passage what becomes clear is that when we are at our end and after we have given our best and find that there is no more to give, Jesus will refill our cups with the very best of himself. It is at the end of one chapter in each of our stories that Jesus begins to write the beginning of a new one. In essence, the end of the party of the wedding at Cana was the beginning of Jesus’ miraculous power on display for others to see. Jesus gave us his best from the beginning of his ministry until the end of his earthly journey. What we see is a consistent Jesus who finds joy in restoration.
May you find joy in knowing that God will not just keep you but will do miracles within your life.
Prayer
At times we seek to feed the desire of our flesh to acquire the finer things of this life. Let us who proclaim the love of Christ remember that there is nothing of this world that will satisfy our thirst like the power of Christ that transforms us and presents us to others as a miracle. Amen.
Written by Jasclyn Coney, Youth Discipleship Coordinator
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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