Monday 27 February 2012

Bible Book:
John

"Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." (v. 10)

John 2:1-12 Monday 27 February 2012

Background

Jesus is at a wedding feast in Cana. And in Jesus' teaching, theimage of a feast is frequently used to picture the kingdom ofGod.

John's Gospel uses references to "signs" (v. 11) which disclose thekingdom of God and "his glory" (v. 11).

Jesus' disciples share in this opening episode with him, along withhis mother Mary who points out that "they have no wine" (v.3).

The use of six large vats of water for ritual washing suggest thatmany guests are anticipated.

A controversy in the first Christian Community centred on thethemes of purity, and what or who is clean/unclean. This isundoubtedly related to the Jewish roots of the first followers ofJesus (see Acts 1011, 15; Galatians 2). And many of the controversiesaround Jesus' ministry centred on this too (eg Mark7).

The first "sign" in John's Gospel perhaps speaks first to thesefollowers of Jesus. They are to focus instead on the transformationand celebration of life. After all this was why they first"believed in him" (v. 11).

Water changed into wine is not an encouragement to consume alcoholin excessive amounts. Rather it is a comment on the purpose of theministry of Jesus and his disciples. The focus is to be on qualitynot mediocrity.

Jesus' ministry will offer nothing less than the best (verse 10).And he requires nothing less from his disciples. This is what willreveal the kingdom and the glory of God.

To Ponder

What distracts you/churches from offering 'thebest' in ministry, worship and witness?

What does your discipleship reveal about thekingdom of God?

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