The Gospel of John: John 2.1-12

Read and meditate on John 2.1, 2.
Like the other gospel writers, John selects the material he wants to report to suit the larger purposes he wants his work to serve. None of the other gospels records this story. But then, much of what the other gospels tell us, John simply chooses to ignore. He is focused on one primary theme, and everything he reports is intended to emphasize that idea.

         ¹In Galilee, in Cana, on the third
day after this, a wedding was observed,
with Jesus’ mother present. ²Jesus and
His followers were invited to attend
as well.

- John 2.1, 2

Reflect
1.  Review John 1.14. What stood out to John as most important about the coming of the Word-made-flesh? What is the glory of God? Complete this prayer: Lord, when I come to Your Word, I expect to meet You in Your glory (2 Cor. 3.16-18). Show me Your glory today, so I can…

2.  Yes, it’s the glory of the Word that John will emphasize in his gospel. But he wants to be very sure we don’t misunderstand what he means by the glory of the Word, or what of that glory he wants us to see above all else. More on that as we go along. First: The next day, the tenth hour, on the third day…Does it seem to you that John is remembering actual events? Do you think this lends credibility to his account? Explain. Your Word is the true report, Lord, of…

3.  My sense is that some things John was remembering struck him as ironic. For example, can you see in John’s mention of “three days” anything like foreshadowing? And what about Jesus being present (and thus blessing) a wedding in Cana of Galileeof the Gentiles? Any irony in that? Lord, give me patience as I read, and help me to see…

4.  John mentions that Mary was at the wedding, as well as Jesus’ siblings (v. 12). But he does not mention Joseph. It’s possible Joseph may have died by this time. What does it suggest about Mary’s family – including Jesus – that they were all invited to this wedding? Were they known in this little village? In what sense? Lord, many people “know” You – know Your Name, at least, or something about You. But how can they come to know You truly? What do you want me…

5.  It is interesting to compare this story with the one that occurs at the end of chapter 2. In each case, Jesus enters into a social and cultural setting, where He takes action to accomplish His glory. What does it suggest about weddings – and marriage – as this was understood in Jesus’ day, that He attended this wedding and added His blessing to it? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“The Son of God went to the wedding so that marriage, which had been instituted by his own authority, might be sanctified by his blessed presence. He went to a wedding of the old order when he was about to take a new bride for himself through the conversion of the Gentiles, a bride who would forever remain a virgin. He went to a wedding even though he himself was not born of human wedlock. He went to the wedding not, certainly, to enjoy a banquet but rather to make himself known by miracles. He went to the wedding not to drink wine but to give it.” Maximus of Turin (d. 408/423 AD)

John begins his story of Jesus’ public ministry with the Lord attending and blessing a wedding – a ceremony of covenant love, according to the good and perfect will of God for human beings. As Jesus came to Cana of Galilee to honor the good purposes of God and bless those who submit to those purposes, so He came to earth, to seek His own Bride and begin reconciling the world to His Father. Does it matter how we view the institution of marriage, or how we understand its purposes? Explain.

Closing Prayer
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia,
Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women;
At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

Psalm 45.6-9

Psalm 45.6-9 (Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Your throne, O God, is evermore, and upright is Your reign;
Though wicked men Your Name abhor, Your righteousness must gain.

Your God has thus anointed You with oil of gladness great.
Your robes are rich with sweet perfume; sweet music gilds Your gate.

In gold the queen at Your right hand, with princesses around,
Resplendent with You takes her stand while glories great abound.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.