The Gospel of John: John 2.1-12

Read and meditate on John 2.1-12.
John is careful to point out that this first glimpse of Jesus’ glory is just the beginning. More glory will follow – wave upon wave of glory – culminating in the most surprising, horrifying, tragic, and beautifully glorious manifestation of God’s love that we could ever imagine.

             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. ³And when the wine ran out, before
the feast was ended, Jesus’ mother turned
to Him and said, “They have no wine.”
⁴He answered, “What concern is this of Mine?
Or why should you consider this to be
a matter that might interest or move Me
to act? Good woman, listen carefully:
the hour which is appointed unto Me,
the glory that awaits Me, is not yet
arrived.” ⁵She, turning to the servants, said,
“Whatever He instructs you, do.” ⁶Nearby,
six large stone vessels, used to purify
with water, as the rite required, were found.
Now each of these, when filled, could hold around
two dozen gallons. Jesus said unto
the servants, “Fill these six stone vessels to
their brims with water.” So they did. ⁸And then 
He said, “Draw out some water now, and when
you have, go quickly and convey it to
the wedding host.” Which they were quick to do.
⁹The host then tasted of the water (now
made wine), but knew not either where or how
such wine had come to be (the servants, who
had drawn the water from the vessels knew,
however). So he called the bridegroom, ¹⁰and
he said to him, “I do not understand:
Each man, at the beginning of the feast,
serves good wine to his guests, and leaves the least
preferred 'til all the guests have drunk their fill.
But you the best wine have reserved until
this moment!” ¹¹Jesus thus the first of all
His many signs performed there in that small
town, manifesting first in Galilee 
His glory, and His followers believed
in Him.
              ¹²And after this He went down to
Capernaum, His mother with Him, too,
and His disciples and His brothers. And 
they tarried for a few days in that land.

- John 2.1-12

Reflect
1.  One of the major differences between John’s gospel and the other three gospels is that, whereas Matthew, Mark, and Luke tend to focus on what Jesus did and said, John wants more to impress us with Who Jesus is. How can you see that in these early chapters? Complete this prayer: Lord, show me Your glory, and let me see You as…

2.  “Believing” in Jesus will be a major focus of John’s gospel, as we see here, and as we saw in chapter 1 (cf. 1.12, 50). What does it mean to believe in Jesus? What does John want us to understand by that idea? What would you say to someone to clarify your calling him to believe in Jesus? Lord, I believe in You, and I want to believe more. So help me today to…

3.  The Good News of Jesus comes into human experience amid cultures, societies, and relationships of all kinds. Is the Gospel in the first instance focused on changing culture or bringing God’s blessing to people in the midst of their culture? Which is prior? Why? Help me, Lord, to bring You into all the culture and people of my life, including…

4.  We get the feeling from John’s approach to telling about Jesus, that coming to believe in Jesus can be a gradual process. Not everyone comes with the preparation of a Nathanael. For some – such as Jesus’ brothers – coming to believe in Him can take a long time. What are we learning from John – and Jesus – about showing Jesus to others and trying to draw them to Him? I want to be a faithful witness, Lord. Help to learn better how to…

5.  The glory of God is a central theme in this gospel. What is the glory of God? How do people see or otherwise experience the glory of God? How do they respond? What should we expect as we strive to live for God’s glory every day? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“When Christ, as a sign of His power, clearly changed the water into wine
All the crowd rejoiced, for they considered the taste marvelous.
Now we all partake at the banquet in the church
For Christ’s blood is changed into wine
And we drink it with holy joy,
Praising the great bridegroom,
For he is the true bridegroom, the Son of Mary,
The Word before all time who took the form of a servant,
He who has in wisdom created all things.” Romanus Melodus (fl. ca. 536-556 AD)

The story of a wedding feast to come (Rev. 19) begins with a wedding in the backwater town of Cana, in Galilee of the Gentiles. Jesus is there, and that setting provides abundant action and meaning for John to continue developing his narrative of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. What are you learning about Jesus, that makes you want to follow Him more diligently?

Closing Prayer
We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of Your judgments.

Psalm 48.9-11

Psalm 48.9-11 (Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
For Your grace and lovingkindness, we proclaim Your matchless worth!
As Your Name is, great and boundless, let Your praise fill all the earth.
Let Your people sing rejoicing for the judgment of Your truth;
For the judgment of Your truth.

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.