27th April 2023
The glory of Christ
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory…
John 2:11 (NIVUK)
One of the most precious occasions in life is a wedding. It speaks of a new beginning and new life. On this special day in Cana 2000 years ago, Jesus, his mother Mary, and a number of his disciples were invited to join a wedding. It seems that the celebrations got off to a wonderful start with the wine flowing and food in abundance until disaster struck – the wine ran out.
We may not consider this a disaster, but we can understand how embarrassing it would have been for the bride and groom to feel that they had not provided adequately for their guests. So, Jesus’ mother stepped in and asked Jesus to help the couple. After some persuasion on her part, Jesus saved the bride and groom from embarrassment by miraculously turning the water reserved for purification into the most spectacular wine.
This event was the first of Jesus’ miracles to be recorded in John’s gospel and we should pay attention to it because John was very selective about the miracles he chose to narrate. In contrast to the other three gospels, John recorded only seven miracles and he gave them a special name – he called them the ‘signs’ of Jesus. The reason that John called these miracles ‘signs’ is because he believed that they pointed to something beyond themselves, beyond the actual miracle itself. For John, these miracles are signposts to Jesus’ identity, and in the signs Jesus reveals his glory.
In Jewish tradition, wine is a symbol of new, abundant life, and re-creation, and so by re-creating this water into wine Jesus demonstrated that he is the one who is able to offer new life to others.
This sign and all the subsequent signs in John’s gospel revealed Jesus’ glory because they were miraculous demonstrations of his ability and authority to give life. In fact, Jesus described new life as the whole purpose of his coming to earth: ‘…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10).
Again, in Jewish thought, God is the only one who has authority over life; only he can give life. So, by demonstrating his ability to give life through the signs, Jesus revealed his divinity and his glory. He was showing that he was more than just a man, more than just a miracle worker; he was and is the God who is able to give new life and a new start to those who come to him, and this new life is abundant and everlasting.
In Christ, God offers us all a new start, a new abundant life, both for this life and for all eternity.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, in your grace, give us this new wine, renew our hope, and renew our lives, as you reveal your glory to us. In your name, we pray, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International central London
Indian YMCA
Mahatma Gandhi Hall
41 Fitzroy Square
London
W1T 6AQ
Local congregational contact:
Barry Robinson
Email: london@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church