The Good Wine

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. 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. 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!" This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and his disciples believed in Him.

After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

- John 2:1-12

In yesterday's reading, Jesus continued to gain His early disciples. Philip and Nathanael heed Jesus' call to "Follow Me." We were also told that Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and in today's reading we find Jesus' first sign, or miracle, at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

My study bible notes that "the wedding in Cana is the setting for the first of the seven signs performed by Jesus in the Gospel of John. These signs are (1) changing water into wine; (2) curing the nobleman's son (4:4-54); (3) healing the paralytic (5:1-15); (4) feeding the 5,000 (6:1-14); (5) walking on water (6:15-21); (6) giving sight to the blind man (9:1-41); and (7) raising Lazarus from the dead (11:38-44)." It also notes that "the setting is significant. In the Old Testament, marriage feasts symbolize the union of God with His bride, Israel. Jesus begins His ministry at a wedding in Galilee, which was largely Gentile territory; thus this sign becomes a symbol of the joy of the Kingdom being spread beyond Judea to all the world. It is the third day from the call of the first disciples (1:35). The mother of Jesus was there, perhaps as a relative of the bride or groom. (Tradition names Simon the Zealot as the groom.) By His presence at this wedding, Jesus declares marriage to be holy and honorable (Heb. 13:4)." This passage is often read at weddings.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." My study bible notes that this is an example of Mary's gift of intercession. In many branches of the Church, especially those with ancient roots, the faithful hold that "Mary continually speaks to her Son on our behalf." It also notes, "Wine was diluted with water in the ancient world; the Jews diluted it in a proportion of one part wine to three parts water, to discourage drunkenness." I think it's significant that this first "sign" occurs through petition (by Jesus' mother). It teaches us about prayer - and again, in John's gospel, we are taught about relationship and its importance to our faith. The relationship of significance here in that sense is not mainly the literal relationship of mother and son, but of believer to the Lord. Just as church tradition will teach about Mary's intercession (and that of others, in the communion of all those whom we consider to be alive in Christ) on our behalf, so we continue also to ask one another to intercede on our behalf in prayer, and we pray for others.

Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." My study bible notes that "Woman is a title of respect and distinction. Jesus addresses His mother from the Cross in the same way (19:26) as He does the woman at the well (4:21), the adulteress (8:10), and Mary Magdalene (20:13,15), thus giving great dignity to womanhood. What does your concern have to do with Me? is literally, "What to Me and to you?" A better translation is, "What concern is that to Me and to you?" or, "Why do you intervene?" In His answer to His mother, Jesus is neither refusing Mary's request nor embarrassing her, but reminding her that the time for His full and public self-disclosure has not yet arrived. My hour refers primarily to the time of His 'glorification' -- His Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension." It seems to me that this question by Jesus makes it more explicit that God responds to petition or prayer. Our relationship to Creator is important; not only for ourselves, but also for our Lord. As in other encounters (such as that of the Canaanite woman), Jesus is in some sense drawing out His mother, asking her for more communication. So we will find that we also need persistence in prayer and meditation - our communication with God.

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." My study bible notes: "Despite Jesus' reply, His mother expects her Son will act." This is confidence - not just from a mother to her son, but as one who also has faith and trust in him.

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. "The waterpots were made of stone," my study bible notes, "because, according to rabbinical teaching, stone would not contract ritual impurity. That there are six (one less than the perfect seven) may indicate that Levitical law (Lev. 11:29-38), typified by this water, was partial, incomplete, imperfect. The water, symbolizing the old dispensation, is changed into wine, symbolizing the new dispensation revealed by Christ. The abundant gallons of wine are probably symbolic of the grace and truth in Christ."

Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. My study bible points out here that there is no overt action on the part of Jesus -- just a word is sufficient. The connection with Creator/Logos is apparent: a word is all it takes, creation happens within his mind. It is done. But note, He gives instructions that must be followed.

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. 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!" My study bible points out that the early Church Fathers saw in the transformation of the water into wine an anticipation of the transformation of the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood at the Eucharist, which Jesus will initiate at the Last Supper. Obviously, it's important to the text that we understand that this wine is not just ordinary, but excellent. It is the good wine. I believe also we can see this as an analogy to prayer, and the changes wrought within ourselves through union and relationship, in addition to participation through the Eucharist. We are changed and transformed. We become, through participation with the Word, transformed ourselves, as water remains part of wine - yet wine is something different. In this sense, we can see the parallels here with Jesus' parable about the Kingdom of heaven as a leaven that changes the whole substance of the meal.

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and his disciples believed in Him. My study bible notes here that the seven signs of this Gospel (as noted above, see second paragraph of commentary) "point to something beyond themselves: the mystery of the Incarnate God at work in His might and saving acts; the Kingdom of God being inaugurated by Jesus. the disciples see His glory -- His divine power which reveals that He comes from the Father -- and are strengthened in their faith in Him." Signs are an important notion. They are not proofs intended to convince skeptics, like magic tricks. They are reflections, as my study bible says, pointing to something beyond themselves. The faith that has brought the disciples this far is affirmed and strengthened. To believe, in the Greek, is to trust, to put one's trust in something or, in this case, Someone.

After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days. And again, we return to relationship. They are all together. "His brothers" may indicate extended relationship; even today in the Middle East, a cousin is called a brother. We are given to understand through the text that this is Jesus' family. And so we become related through faith, through trust. I think the story of this first sign is a really important analogy to our relationship with Christ, through prayer. And it's of great significance that we understand intercession also when the subject is prayer. We pray for one another, we may intercede for one another. Yet, there is still more to this story. Jesus repeatedly draws out those who come to Him in petition - just as he does with his mother here. Often this comes in the form of what seems a rather antagonistic retort, designed to provoke a response. In prayer, we often find that we need great persistence. More than that, we may need to adjust our perspective first to receive an answer, to get things the "right way" - to see things the way we need to. In this story of the wedding and the wine, I think it's important that Mary tells the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." We don't always get the answers or the outcome we expect or want. But God's response to prayer is not a magic trick designed to convince. It's instead a response to faith, that strengthens faith in the heart that is open to it. It also asks of us persistence, and draws us further into relationship - and to clarifying what we think we need. I have found that outcomes often mean I have to leave my own delusions behind. Over time, I'm also led to do it His Way. The greater acceptance that I gain through this process is validated in the wisdom I receive not only from my own experiences in this, but from others. And thus faith - and relationship - is strengthened. Can you open your heart in prayer? What does it mean to follow, and to trust? I find that as my faith has strengthened, so my character or substance has also seemed to change. Where will your prayer life take you? The good wine awaits - with perseverance and faith.