Jesus Did This, The First of His Signs

This meditation is based on a passage for January 7, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: John 2:1-11

Reflection and Question: Mary precipitates this first miracle or sign in the Gospel of John. Jesus is reluctant at first, balking at the implication in Mary’s observation that there is no more wine. And Mary does not tell Jesus what to do; she tells the servants what to do instead. Finally, Jesus gets with the program, turning the water into wine, “revealing his glory,” and impressing the disciples. Jesus enjoyed celebrative events like weddings — He speaks of wedding feasts many times in His preaching. This first sign, in the end, is just sheer fun, giving joy to all. How do celebrations draw us nearer to God?

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, our Lord and Savior, how delightful that Your first sign recorded by John is so much fun! Thank You for following Mary’s line of thinking, for Your kindness in helping out Your host and for revealing Your glory to us all. Amen.