July 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Marriage was created by God to reflect the unity between Christ and His church. Just as the church is subject to Christ, a woman is to submit herself to the leadership and direction of her husband. A husband is to love his wife with the same devotion, commitment and love the Lord Jesus has demonstrated to His church. Christ’s dedication and love for His church is on display throughout His earthly ministry.

Why does John’s gospel tell us about Christ’s activity at a wedding as the first item on our Saviour’s agenda? Does this have any special meaning? Why does Christ perform this sign before He deals with the corruption that is present in the church?

John 2:1-11 needs to be read in the context of chapter 1. The first chapter of John’s gospel clearly states how the Son of God, the Word made flesh, was involved in the creation of all things, including humanity. John 1:3, says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

John 1 takes our thoughts back to Genesis 1; the beginning of recreation reminds us of the beginning of creation. Jesus Christ is involved in both. Yet that’s not where the connection ends! John 2 and Genesis 2 are similar in that they both tell us about a wedding. God’s creative work culminates in the creation of woman and the institution of the first marriage. As one flesh, the first husband and wife are to fulfill their mandate as image of God, living to the praise of His glory in their marriage.

The Lord Jesus manifests His glory at the marriage feast at Cana. The Son of God comes in the flesh to break the power of sin and restore the glory of the Lord over the whole earth, including the glory of the intimate bond of marriage. That’s why Jesus, in His God-ordained office and calling, attends a wedding to manifest His glory there. The Lord picks up the thread where it was broken. God’s ordained order from creation was: wedding day—marriage—family—church—the innumerable multitude. Christ maintains that order when He begins to restore what was broken apart and distorted through sin.