Bible Thoughts

"NOW on the third day a marriage feast took place in Cana of Galilee . . . Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the marriage feast. When the wine ran short the mother of Jesus said to him: 'They have no wine.'" This incident set the stage for Jesus' first miracle.

Was not such a problem too insignificant, too trivial, to bring to the attention of Jesus? Explains one Bible scholar: "Hospitality in the East was a sacred duty . . . Real hospitality, especially at a wedding feast, demanded a superabundance. If the supplies had [run out] at a wedding feast, the family and the young couple would never have lived down the shame."

Jesus therefore took action. He observed "six stone water jars sitting there as required by the purification rules of the Jews." Ritual washing before meals was customary among the Jews, and a good deal of water had been required to serve the needs of those present. "Fill the water jars with water," Jesus ordered those serving the guests. Jesus was not "the director of the feast," but he spoke directly and authoritatively. Says the account: "When, now, the director of the feast tasted the water, [it] had been turned into wine."

It may seem odd that something as commonplace as a wedding would be the setting for Jesus' first miracle, but the incident reveals much about Jesus. He was a single man, and on subsequent occasions he discussed the advantages of singleness with his disciples. However, his presence at a wedding feast revealed that he was far from being antimarriage. He was balanced, supportive of the marriage arrangement; he viewed it as something honorable in the eyes of God.

Jesus was not the dour ascetic that church artists later made him out to be. He clearly enjoyed being around people and was not averse to socializing. His actions thus set a precedent for his followers. Jesus personally demonstrated that they were not to be unnecessarily solemn or glum—as if righteousness meant joylessness. On the contrary, Christians were later commanded: "Always rejoice in the Lord."

Christians today exercise care to keep recreation within reasonable bounds. They find their joy in God's service, but following Jesus' example, they occasionally find time to enjoy one another's company in a social setting.

Observe also the tenderness of Jesus' emotions. He was under no obligation to perform a miracle. There was no prophecy in this regard that had to be fulfilled. Evidently, Jesus was simply moved by his mother's concern and the plight of the couple getting married. He cared about their feelings and wished to spare them embarrassment. Does that not build your confidence that Christ has a real interest in you—even in your mundane problems.

Since each jar was "able to hold two or three liquid measures" of water, Jesus' miracle involved a great volume of wine—perhaps 390 liters (105 gallons)!

Why such a huge quantity? Jesus was not promoting drunkenness, something God condemns. Rather, he was demonstrating godlike generosity. Since wine was a common beverage, any surplus could be used on other occasions.

Early Christians imitated Jesus' example of generosity. And Jehovah's people today are likewise encouraged to "practice giving." However, Jesus' first miracle also has prophetic import. It points to a future time when God will generously provide "a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs," completely eliminating hunger.

What, though, of the many miracles Jesus performed that involved physical healing? What can we learn from them?