Daily Devotions

Similar to yesterday in respect of the number 6, I want to home into an incident that could almost have been overlooked in our reading of Jesus 1st recorded Miracle - the marriage at Cana and the changing of water into wine.  We read in John 2:6-7 “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

It is not so much the number of jars but more the reason for Jesus to act, the lack of wine. The host had failed order sufficient supplies. Did this oversight highlight the host’s lack of forethought, his lack of preparedness in fact his feeble attempt to foresee what was actually required? We could surmise that his weak humanity was  on display. 

 I know it may seem tentative  was there a link here between the creation narrative  were read “Now let Us conceive a new creation—humanity—made in Our image, fashioned according to Our likeness. And let Us grant them authority over all the earth…..And it happened just as God said. Then God surveyed everything He had made, savouring its beauty and appreciating its goodness. Evening gave way to morning. That was day six.” Genesis 1 (The Voice)

In this miracle we see that Christ’s uses six earthen vessel filled with clean water and transforms it into new wine, an unfolding parable of his saving action for humanity. We may ask why this incident is recorded as the first ‘sign’ of Christ’s ministry? The answer comes from the Old Testament picture of wine as a symbol of God’s blessing. Wine is often used to represent God’s abundant provisions for his people.

In this scene, Jesus has chosen to demonstrate the blessings of his coming kingdom by blessing a wedding celebration with this sign. The wine serves as a symbol of God’s provision in Jesus and of the generous love he will put on display.

Signs like this are meant to build up his followers’ faith and help them to trust in Jesus. How is God demonstrating his abundant love for you, in your life today? How has God been providing for you, as a sign that you belong to him?

Father, help me to trust and believe that I am loved by you, and to see the ways you have been providing for me in my life. Amen.