The Passage
John 2:1-12
1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Word Work
Underline or highlight keywords or phrases in the Bible passage. Use a pen or highlighter to mark new discoveries from the text.
Word Thoughts
At first glance, this miracle at Cana can seem like not much more than a party trick. But, as with everything in John’s Gospel, the event is actually rich with significance. The key is to understand that the six water jars are symbolic of the old covenant, with all of its rituals and purification laws. By telling the servants to fill these jars to the brim, and then turning the water into wine of celebration, Jesus is saying in a highly symbolic way that the old covenant has been fulfilled and is giving way to something greater than itself—the promised kingdom. (1)
Word Reflection
- What stood out?
- How do we see Jesus as powerful in this passage?
- What do you think Jesus meant by “My hour has not yet come.”?
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
End in Prayer
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