This Sunday we will talk about Jesus and his first public miracle. As you read John 2:1-11 you will notice many things that are actually taking place within this miraculous event, but there is one thing we will bring to the surface that ties it all together.
Monday – Read: John 2:1 Think: Weddings in Jesus’ day were an important part of Jewish culture. These were week-long festivals, with banquets prepared for many guests, as the week would be spent celebrating the new life of the married couple. Often the entire village was invited and everyone would come. Does it surprise you that Jesus performs his first public miracle at an event such as this? Pray: Think of all the ways that Jesus works in mysterious ways and thank him that his ways are so much higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:8)
Tuesday – Read: John 2:1-2 Think: John tells us that the ‘mother of Jesus’ is already at the wedding when Jesus and his disciples arrive. Is this a family wedding? How long has she been there? Why would he refer to her in this way? Pray: Do you have family members that desperately need to meet Jesus? Think of them now and pray for them individually.
Wednesday – Read: John 2:3 Think: It wasn’t wrong for Jesus’ mother to sense the time had come for her son to enter public ministry. She knew he had been baptized and confirmed with a heavenly sign at his baptism. She knew he endured temptation in the wilderness. She knew he had been publicly introduced as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and had begun to gather his disciples to himself. Did she know something Jesus didn’t know? Pray: Are you praying about something specific right now? Keep praying and asking the Lord for direction.
Thursday – Read: John 2:4 Think: Jesus spoke to his mother with a term of respect, but he did not call her ‘mother’. Jesus seems to say to her “I won’t do it. It’s not time” – but then he went on to do it. What he really said to her was, “We now have a different relationship. Let me consult my heavenly Father.” Jesus must have prayed and then known what to do, because he makes these statements ( 5:19,30, 8:28-29) later in this Gospel. Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the discernment to know what he is calling you to do and for the boldness to do it.
Friday – Read: John 2:5 Think: Mary tells the servants to have an eye on Jesus now and not her, as they were accustomed to looking to her for direction. Mary steps out of the way, stopping all pretentions, to an influence upon him alone – her Lord and Savior. How much more should we? Psalm 62:5 - ‘Let their souls wait only on him.’ Pray: Be honest with God, tell him your fears and concerns and then allow him to work in your life. Never take your eyes off God because he never takes his eyes off you. (Hebrews 12:1-2)