THE FIRST MIRACLE
John 2: Jesus, His Mother and His disciples were invited to a wedding in the city of Cana, Galilee. When the wine was running out, Jesus' Mother apprised Him of the situation to which He humbly replied that it was of no concern to Him, His time (the reason which He was here on earth for had not yet come. He said: "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." John 2:4. Mary persisted and instructed the servants to do as Jesus said; to which He told them to fill the stone waterpots with water, draw some out and give it to the headwaiter of the wedding. When he tasted the water, he was quite surprised at its quality. The custom in those days was to serve the good wine first and when they had all drunk well and needed more wine, they would serve the cheap stuff. The headwaiter naturally praised the groom, not realizing what Jesus had done. This was His first miracle; it manifested His glory and encouraged His disciples to believe in Him. We are beginning to see the power of God.
After leaving Cana, they traveled down to Capernaum and then up to Jerusalem, (please note the direction down and up, which usually references the spirituality of the people or the place.). It was the time of the Jewish Passover and Jesus went into the Temple where He witnessed the people transacting business. What He saw infuriated Him because of their total disregard to the sanctity of the House of God. In those days and before the crucifixion, God's presence would be in the Holy of Holies, (behind the altar). A huge veil separated the people from His presence. This was the dwelling place of God on earth. Of course this changed when Jesus gave up His Spirit on the cross when the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom and created direct access to God through Jesus; and signifying the creation of the Christian church. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that we have a very protective God who tells it as it is. Woe to those who cross the grain, so to speak. Psalm 69 foretells of this incident which is fulfilled in verse 17 of John 2, when the Disciples remembered that it was written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."
At this point the Jews wanted Jesus to show them proof that He was from God. Jesus challenged them and told them that if they would destroy this Temple (referring to His Body) He would raise it up in 3 days. John 2:19 says, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days." What the Jews didn't realize was that this was a prophetic statement of His resurrection. His disciples remembered this statement of Jesus after it happened.
Verses 25 describe the attitude of many who believed in Him only because of the miracles. Consequently Jesus would not commit Himself to them, as He knew what was in their hearts. "Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men."
The meaning of this chapter to me is as follows:
1) I see the awesome power of God at work.
2) I have utmost confidence in the protective aspect of a loving God.
3) Jesus knows what is in my heart.
My application is to know that I can live my life with the full assurance that God will always be with me and protect me. Some call this faith and I say Amen to that. As He is with me now, I will be with Him the same way.
