Daily Devotional for February 13

 

February 13                                                          John 2:1-12

        "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in
     Galilee, and manifested his glory; and the disciples
                             believed in Jesus."

The story about Jesus turning water to wine at Cana in Galilee
has sadly been lost to much of the church. It has been lost
because it has been used mostly in an attempt to argue for Jesus'
sanction of marriage. The story has nothing to do with the
sanction of marriage; its purpose is, rather, to demonstrate
who Jesus was: Jesus "manifested his glory; and the disciples
believed."

When this story is added to the other marriage references in
the New Testament, their meaning is clarified. In Matthew
9:15, Mark 2:19, and Luke 5:34, Jesus makes reference to
himself as the bridegroom. In Revelation 19:9, John speaks
of the end times as the coming of the "marriage supper of the
Lamb." The wedding images in the New Testament are
therefore not about the sanctity of marriage, but about the
union between Christ and the believer. Christ bids us to come
to this Holy Union and join in the wedding feast, now and
eternally.

New life in Christ is about a new relationship with Christ. Faith
is a dimension of growing intimacy with God. The good news
is that the manifestation of Christ's glory calls all of us into
new relationships. Henceforth all our unions are judged in the
light of our union with Christ.

In Cana, as in every event of his life, Jesus revealed who he
was. We see the special relationship he shared with God and
the power God granted him. It is this special relationship which
was disclosed in Jesus that God offers us. We become disciples
also; we glimpse Jesus' true identity, and in seeing, we believe
and follow.

        Jesus, as I read your Word, let me never miss your
     glory or neglect to follow you. I know your miracles are
     for my life, and my life becomes your miracle. Let it be
                       with me according to your will.

from The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C