The Wedding at Cana

Water into wine

John records as one of the first miracles the changing of water into wine. It may seem to some that this was a frivolous event to be recorded by John, however it serves as a reminder for a number of things.

Lets first set the scene

It would have been an important wealthy family that the bride came from. As the custom was in those days the family of the bride would host the wedding in their home

The average celebration would be over a period of days. and it is the midst of this that the wine runs out

Mary who is aware of his identity asks him to help and despite his reluctance he does what she asks

A wine bottle hold 750 mils of wine

Slide of wine bottle followed by slide of a flagon.

The larger stone jars of purification held about 30 gallons

In our terms that is the equivalent of having 360 flagons of wine that is enough to fill a Morris Minor Slide

Jesus the bride groom.

We are reminded that Jesus is the Bridegroom in .

Matthew 9:15 NIV

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Matthew 9:15 NIV

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Just as in the same way that a marriage is perfected in the love and commitment that two people have for each other so to is the commitment that Jesus has to us This is the biblical reality that should be reflected in our lives with God

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat describes "the most American approach to matters of faith: a religious individualism that blurs the line between the God out there and the God Within, a gnostic spirituality that constantly promises access to a secret and personalized wisdom, a gospel of health and wealth that insists that the true spiritual adept will find both happiness and money."

As a result, according to the Colson Center's John Stonestreet, "America's greatest affliction is a poverty of meaning, of purpose, of something to fill that great spiritual emptiness we feel at the heart of our nation."

These sentiments hold true in our land as well and we need to refocus on what relationship means

We have repeated calls about the sacredness of relationship

The promises of God to Abraham and Moses to name but two

The wine the stewards present to the MC is off a startling quality, so much so that it amazes the MC.

The relationship with God is great today, however it will be better tomorrow.

We have as an example of this Hannah crying in the temple. Eli the high priest scolds here because he thinks she is drunk. She explains here issue and tells Eli that if she has a child she will dedicate and offer him to the service of God. Eli blesses her and sends her on her way. A year later she keeps her promise and returns to the temple with the baby Samuel

God is honoured, Samuel and Hannah are blessed and the relationship continues.