Read John 2:1-2
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.
Read John 14:2-3
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
This week we will take time to explore Jesus’ first miracle as he steps into ministry at a wedding in Cana.
Modern-day weddings are a beautiful celebration of love and the joining of families. Months or years of planning go into making the day special. Venues are secured, food is planned, dresses and suits are purchased, and guests are invited to share in the day. Promises and memories are made, and joy surrounds the occasion. Love is in the air!
Weddings in Biblical times, if you can imagine it, often spanned more time, and an even bigger party ensued! A wedding celebration would have been preceded by a betrothal that lasted a year or more. During that time, the groom and his family would make preparations for the marriage and the wedding. In many customs around the world, the bride’s family would pay a dowry to the groom’s; but in Jewish culture, the groom’s family paid a bride price to secure the union between their families. The groom would then go and prepare a place for them to live. When the groom was ready, he would go get his bride, there was a quieter ceremony…and then a week-long wedding celebration would begin!
Throughout Scripture, the picture of a wedding is often used to represent the covenant relationship between God and His people, with God as the bridegroom and his people as the bride. What could be a more beautiful and fitting setting for Jesus to set the stage of his ministry than a wedding? Jesus came so that a new covenant could be made. He paid the price for us with his own life, and He went to prepare a place for us, so that we might be with Him always. We now wait expectantly for him to return for us…and for the party to begin!
