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.

¹³ The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. ¹⁵ And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

 Meditation:

1. Jesus, in the first incident (vv1-11), miraculously transformed water into wine bringing joy and blessing to an otherwise would-be-embarrassed groom and displayed His glory. Miraculous signs serve as pointers to God’s glory and entries to belief.  It reveals to us that loving and all-wise God in Jesus is still at work in his creation.
2. In the second event (vv13-17), Jesus purified the temple.  He drove out corruption and insisted that the worship of God be holy and clean.
3. He does this in our lives too.  As He transforms He cleanses, until, purified, we exhibit a holiness which is appropriate to those who worship and honour God.  The transforming and purifying ministry of Christ is costly.  The price of our renewal was the sacrificial death of God’s unique and only Son.
4. Reflect on.  What have you noticed of God’s transforming and purifying work in your life lately?  How did you respond to it?

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Play out either or both of the events in this passage.  Discuss the problems, emotions, and solution (result).  Paraphrase Q#3 to the children level.  Ask if anyone have noticed God’s working in his/her life lately.  End with a prayer of commitment.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 9:10-12

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.  ¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.  ¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.