T
he next day, the wedding took place at the bride’s home in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother immediately disappeared, seeing to the needs of the guests. Since we were with Jesus, we also were invited to enjoy the festivities.
The ceremony of marriage was intoned by the local rabbi, vows of fidelity and permanence taken and the reception begun. Well into the celebration, it became evident that not enough wine had been planned. Or, perhaps, more guests came than had been invited. In any case, the beverage was soon exhausted. Jesus’ mother was deeply frustrated. This was an inexcusable faux pas. This would cause major embarrassment for the bridegroom on his wedding day. She spoke to Jesus, “The wine is gone. There is no more to be had and the celebration is far from over.”
“Dearest mother,” Jesus answered with a tolerant smile, “why do you involve me?” Indeed, what did Mary expect of her unusual son? Were there events in his past where precedents had been laid? Was there a history of reliance upon which she knew she could draw? He paused for a moment and looked at her carefully. She knew him. She knew he could not refuse her. At length he smiled and said, “I know what you want but remember, my time has not yet come.” As I thought about this later, I wondered if Jesus knew exactly when his time would be.
His mother, a glint in her eye, said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” There was something unique between Jesus and his mother. They communicated at a level that often did not require words.
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” After several trips to the well, the jars were filled to the brim. Then he told them, “Now pour some into a cup, take it to the head caterer and get his approval.” When they poured the water, it issued from the jars not as water, but wine.
The stunned servants then followed Jesus’ instructions and took a sample to the head caterer. Tasting the water that had been turned into wine and not realizing where it had come from, he called the bridegroom aside and said, “You are to be congratulated! At other weddings I cater, the choice wine is served first and after the guests have had too much to know the difference, then it is watered down. But man, you have saved the best till now! It is the best I have ever had. By the way, were did you buy it?” The groom thanked the caterer and walked away, puzzled.
This, the first of his miracles, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. In doing so, he revealed himself for who he was, and it was here that people first began to put their faith in him. Those that did became his followers.
