The Life of the Party - Part Two

Posted 8/27/14 by Donald Barnhouse

SCRIPTURE

John 2:1-11

 

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
 
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 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 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.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

LESSON

 

Jewish marriage customs in Jesus' day called for a betrothal or "engagement" period of not more than a year prior to the marriage consummation. The prospective bridegroom would present-either in person or by messenger-a letter to the bride-to be, signifying his intention of marriage. The letter might also be accompanied by a monetary gift.From the moment of betrothal, both parties were considered as married, although they did not live together till the actual ceremony. But any infidelity on the part of either partner would be looked upon as adultery. The betrothal, and the marriage, could only be dissolved by formal divorce proceedings.
 
Before the marriage ceremony, the pious would often fast, confessing their sins. Entrance into the married state was considered almost a sacrament, and the symbolism suggesting the relationship of husband and bride, God and His people, was not overlooked.
 
On the eve of the marriage, lavish preparations were made by friends of the couple. A great wedding feast was held-as much as could be afforded -prepared by the women of the community. The bride, surrounded by her friends and the "friends of the bridegroom," was led from her house, to that of her husband. When she stood before her husband, a sacred formula was read: "take her according to the Law of Moses." A formal document-the Kethubah -was then signed and the marriage ceremony was over.
 
After a ritual washing of hands the supper was begun. Such a feast might last one day or more depending upon how long the food lasted and interest was sustained.
 
Such was the wedding to which Jesus was invited with His disciples: Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, James and John. Mary, Jesus' mother, living in nearby Nazareth, probably was present as a friend of the bridal couple and a helper in preparing the feast.
 
We may wonder why the wine supply gave out so quickly. Apparently, this had not been anticipated, for the anxiety in Mary's statement can be sensed: "They have no wine." Why did she come to Jesus? It was the responsibility of the steward of the feast to see to it that the supplies did not run out.
 
Jesus fully intended to take action, but He wanted it clearly understood by Mary that she was not to assume the role of mediatrix or intercessor with Him.
 
That is why He said to her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." Now this phrase in English sounds difficult, almost as though it were a degrading term, but it was not so in that day. It was the equivalent to the French Madam, and he spoke to her with respect, but simply meant, "What have we in common? I am the God-man; you are but human." In other words, "You are never to presume upon your earthly relationship." From this moment forward, Mary was to bear in mind her new role as completely subservient to Jesus Christ.

STUDY QUESTIONS

  • Are there principles from Jewish marriage customs we should glean in thinking through a theology of marriage.
  • What does Christ’s relation to His own mother teach us about Christ’s person and our relationship to Christ.
  • If His own mother is subservient to Him, how much more ought we be servants of Christ?