Jesus is Better

Setting the Scene

Hear the story without distraction. Immerse yourself in the narrative that we might interact with Jesus with more than just our mental capacity, but with our hearts, feelings, empathy and hope.

John 2:1–11 NIV

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:1–5 NIV

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

A Jewish wedding is a joyous event centered around the perfect union between a husband and a wife before the Lord. They would last anywhere from a few days to an entire week. The feast was of the union that was about to be made complete. As with all weddings, the desire is for everything to happen perfectly, but the weight surrounding a wedding at this time held great social weight. To fail int he proper hospitality was a serious offense, and there may not have been a more embarrassing mistake than to run out of wine.

Jesus’ mother sees the need and turns to the One who can do something about it. Mary held a very high view of her son.

Jesus shows his empathy for what troubles us.

Jesus responds to His mother with compassion.

John 2:

John 2:6–11 NIV

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

The normal practice was to serve the finest first and as the celebration continued to serve the more watered down, less aged wine when everyone is full and happy. As the servants bring the water that had been turned into wine to the master of the banquet, he is stunned for this was the far superior wine to what had been served previously.

The master of the banquet goes and applauds the generosity of the bridegroom for having served so much already and yet holding back the best for the end.

The reality is that the best that the bridegroom could serve was already given out. He had followed the custom of the day, but Jesus provided far better than the best of man. Jesus is better than the best of man.

One could even argue that Jesus was not really putting forth his best effort here for his time had not yet come and it was still better than the best of man.

This simple truth of God demands that our lives be fully placed in His hands. Yet why is this simple act such a struggle? We must make our hearts believe.

Everything in this life will run out. If our hope is placed in these things, it will reach an end. Our hearts must come to believe that Jesus is better than each one of these things.

Jesus is better than _____________.