John 2 – Tonight we’re going to party like it’s 29CE
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’
‘Dear woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’
His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Over the years I’ve heard lots of people try to explain the point of this passage. Some comment on how it Mary is being somewhat presumptuous in her request. Others try to say that it would be sinful for Jesus to make alcohol to aid in the drunkenness of the revelers so he must have made grape juice. Others comment on this being the first of seven signs or miracles in the Gospel of John.
I have a simpler reading of this passage: when you’re celebrating, drink the good stuff with good friends.
