the good news is… so good it catches us by surprise

READ

John 2:1-11

The Wedding at Cana
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in  charge of the banquet.” So they took it. When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

REFLECTION

In the gospel of John, the wedding at Cana is Jesus’ first miracle and follows his calling of the disciples. Think of the setting: the bride and groom had just joined in a covenant of marriage and invited friends to celebrate with them. (One wonders if the new disciples accompanying Jesus actually knew the couple, but no one turned them away from the celebration.) But alas, the host, throwing the party of his life, miscalculated how much wine his guests would consume.

It’s meaningful to note that wine in the first century was not a mere embellishment to a meal. It was sustenance. Free from dangerous bacteria, it was a staple meant to quench thirst, and it was always on the table. The host must have been embarrassed to run out and perhaps worried that his friends would be thirsty, but through intervention from his guest Mary, Jesus provided for the guests’ basic needs.

But Jesus went beyond what was necessary to satisfy the guests. He produced wine that was actually better than the “good stuff” that the bridegroom had chosen for this special occasion. For those who know wine, it would be like bringing out 700 bottles of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.  Why the largesse?  Why the bounty? He certainly signaled to the crowd, as he does to us today, that he offers something more. Something above and beyond that never runs out.

This story provides a hint of the kingdom that Jesus’ ministry ushers in. Throughout the gospels we see that Jesus loves to throw parties where everyone is welcome, has their needs met, and leaves with a glimpse of a different way of living. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that kind of celebration?

Written by Garrell Keesler

REFLECT

What surprises might await you at a party where Jesus was the host?

What good wine is Jesus pouring that you need to stop and savor this Lenten season?