July 24 Daily Devotional

John 2

There was a marriage in Cana, a little town not far from Nazareth. A number of people had been invited, among them Jesus, his mother, and his disciples. Before the celebration was over, for some reason or other the wine supply gave out; perhaps the people were poor. At that time Mary—it seems she was a close relative or friend of the celebrating family—came to Jesus and said, “They have no wine.” She knew Jesus had just started his ministry of mercy, and hoped that he might do something for them in this plight.

Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” This reply, although it seemed somewhat harsh, contained a ray of hope; so Mary said to the attending servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, containing two or three firkins apiece. These jars were used to supply water for washing, for the Jews washed their hands before each meal, and water was also needed to wash their feet, since they wore sandals and no shoes. Soon after the remark of Mary, Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. After this was done he went on and said, “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.” They did so and were surprised to see that the water had been turned into wine.

When the ruler of the feast—the man who had charge of the meals and the entertainment—tasted the wine—he did not know where it came from—he was surprised to find that it was very good. He called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”

This was the first miracle which Jesus did. Here as in other miracles, he was giving a sign to all who would receive it, a sign of his divine power, wisdom and love. “And manifested forth his glory”—so it is said of this miracle at Cana. He manifested his glory in all the miracles that he did. They were done not only to help such that were in need, but even more to show that Christ truly was the Son of God, and to lead people to true faith in him. “His disciples believed on him,” so John reports at the conclusion of this story. This miracle at Cana in Galilee served to strengthen and advance the faith of the disciples.