After those who met Jesus brought others to meet Him in John 1:35-51, the first part of chapter 2 describes a well-known miracle of Jesus, and – based on verse 11 – apparently the first one that He performed to show who He was.
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.
John 2:1-2 NIV
This passage suggests that this was the third day from when Nathanael met Jesus (see John 1:43-51). So, we have Jesus heading to Galilee, calling Philip and talking with Nathanael, and a few days later he’s at a wedding in Galilee.
It has been pointed out – correctly, I believe – that Jesus and His disciples were apparently popular enough to be invited to a wedding. This could also be a sign of respect for Jesus’ role as a rabbi, but he probably knows multiple people in or at the wedding personally.
A check online suggests that Nazareth is less than 4 miles from Cana (Distance Between Nazareth and Cana (distancefromto.net), although another map I saw suggested more like 8 miles (Map of Cana, Galilee, Nazareth | Bible mapping, Map, Bible class (pinterest.com.au)). A commentary [Bryan & Krause, p.72] helps to explain this discrepancy by indicating that there “are at least three sites that bear some form of this name in modern Palestine, but which is the correct site is not certain.”
Regardless, if Mary (Jesus’ mother) was still living in or near Nazareth, it would be no big surprise for her and her family (including Jesus) to have friends in Cana. The fact that there was a wedding with locals being invited is not unusual, but the events that took place at this specific wedding were a little more unique.
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
John 2:3 NIV
My understanding is that wedding feasts in this era were much more than a 20- or 30-minute service and an afternoon or evening reception that lasts a few hours (which has been more typical of weddings that I have attended). These people knew how to party!
I realize that modern wedding receptions often feel like we’re packing in a lot of small talk and catching up with relatives in the space of a few hours (as each of them tells my kids how much they have grown). There are also out-of-control parties (whether for a wedding or otherwise) where the goal is to get as drunk as possible as fast as possible. Instead, though, I would like to give these first-century wedding-goers the benefit of the doubt and imagine them as really enjoying each others’ company. This seems like much more of a healthy social occasion, with people spending time together and celebrating (even if there was at least some inebriation going on – see verse 10). In my mind, this looks more like true fellowship.
However, fellowship goes well when there is good food to eat and good beverages to drink. Whether the latter is wine or punch (or, like at our wedding, Mountain Dew), if there’s nothing to drink, the key elements of a party (like conversation, laughing, and singing) start to dry up…literally!
So, Jesus’ mom (Mary) lets him know that the wine has run out. From his response in the next verse, it appears that she wasn’t just sharing factual information with Him. Instead, it sounds like this statement had that “mother’s tone” indicating that she expected Him to do something about it. For instance, if a mom says, “Your room needs cleaning”, or “Your laundry is still on the floor of the living room”, or “The trash can is full”, those are not merely statements of fact!
Let’s take a look at the result in the next article. In the meantime, though, are there opportunities for healthy fellowship in your life? Are there events you were invited to, but you declined because you don’t want to put forth the effort? Are there events that you do attend, but where you focus on showing off or being the “life of the party”, rather than helping others feel welcome and valuable? Consider what good conversation and positive fellowship might look like, and – even if you don’t accept every invitation – think about how you could really enjoy time spent with other people.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 4, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, February 4, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 