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And on the thirrd day a wedding occurred in Cana of the Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and Jesus also was invited and His disciples, to the wedding. And wine having given out, the mother of Jesus says to Him, "Wine they do not have." Jesus says to her, "What to me and to you, woman? Not yet is My hour come." His mother says to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, you do." And there were there 6 stone pots for water, for the cleansing of the Jews, containing up to 2 or 3 metrates. Jesus says to them, "fill with water the pots." and they filled them up to the top. and He says to them, "You draw out now, and take to the chief steward; and they took it. And the chief steward, having tasted the water become wine, yet did not know from where it is, (but the servants knew, the ones having drawn the water), the chief steward calls to the groom and says to him, "Every man the good wine serves first, and whenever they have drunk freely, the poorer; you kept the good wine until now!" This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee & shown forth His glory & His disciples believed in Him.
Today, we have heard about Jesus' Epiphany coming out party, as it were–the very first miracle He performed. It was a relatively minor one–no one raised from the dead. No storm calmed; nobody healed or cured. Just water turned to wine. There is really nothing showy at all about this first miracle of Jesus, so much so that the chief steward doesn't know how it happened, or who is responsible.
Whether it's a relative or friend who invited Jesus to the wedding, we don't know. But his mother seems to feel some responsibility for rectifying the problem of no more wine, so she asks her son. His answer, "What has that got to do with me or you, woman!" seems like Jesus can't be bothered. But Mary knows better. She tells the servants to do whatever Jesus asks.
How about you? Are you willing to heed Mary's advice, and do whatever Jesus asks of you? You know that you should have faith which trust's your Lord's words, knowing that He would never require of you anything that wasn't good. Yet sometimes your faith is lacking, and the resulting faith-fulness never appears. After selfishness, lazyness, and other distractions have there way with you, excuse after excuse rear their ugly heads as to why you aren't able to comply with your God's desires.
But these are faithful servants who fill the ritual cleansing jars with water as Jesus bids. Then they draw out a most excellent wine from them to take to the party planner, who is amazed at the quality. Jesus has completed His very first miracle recorded in scripture, and the wedding celebration can continue. But that's not the real reason for this wonder. It is to show forth the glory of God in action on earth, so that Jesus' disciples and others will believe in Him as the God-man Messiah!
I know what you are probably thinking. "It sure would be nice if Jesus did miracles more often in my life!" But don't be too quick to be despondant. Who says Jesus doesn't do more miracles for you than meets the eye!? If you paused for a few moments each day to see the glory of God shown forth in your life, and to recognize the wondrous signs which Jesus does in your life today, you would then find yourself praising God for His miraculous works for you, and believe in Christ even more firmly!
The first *miracle* in your life was most likely your baptism. Oh, I know that on the surface, it didn't seem too amazing, some water and a bible verse. But consider the glory of God manifest to you that day, and what God accomplished for you at the font. You came as a dead-in-your-trespasses sinner, and emerged sin-free, forgiven & saved. You came as a child of an earthly family, but came forth from the font adopted into the family of your heavenly Father forevermore! Killed & raised with Jesus!
The next miracle in your life should occur when you are in confirmation, although shamefully it may not have. Lutherans, in addition to examining students on Catechism knowledge, also absolve each one privately. In the study of Confession, a faithful pastor takes each student into the sanctuary privately, to hear their confession and absolve them, forgiving each in the Name of Father, Son and Spirit.
A third miracle in your life is offered to you at the communion rail. It doesn't appear too amazing, simple bread and wine in a cup that wasn't changed from water. But what Jesus offers there is miraculous indeed! His body given in the bread, and His shed blood is in the cup for your forgiveness. The same body Jesus gave up to death for you on the cross, and the same blood he shed their to forgive you are given to you to eat and drink in the Lord's Supper.
Miracles abound for you! Daily bath of baptism. Opportunity for private confession. Holy Communion!
Hymns for today:
LSB #408 Come Join in Cana's Wedding Feast
#402 The Only Son From Heaven
#399 The Star Proclaims the King is Here
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