Devotion:
Read John 2:1-11.
Someone once remarked that weddings can be accidents waiting to happen. It seems that invariably, despite the best laid plans, something can go wrong.
In this passage, Jesus was at a wedding, and the host ran out of wine and was about to be embarrassed. After some discussion with his mother, Mary, Jesus arrived at a solution. He saw six stone waterpots and made use of them. These waterpots were used by the Jews to wash their hands before and after meals and for ceremonial washings. In verse 6 we read, “There were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.” Jesus instructs the servants to fill up what was lacking in the jars to the brim. Six stone jars with 20 to 30 gallons of wine in them total 120 to 180 gallons. Jesus made nearly 1,000 bottles of wine! By all accounts, this is a lot of wine for a wedding of this size. Jesus’ first miracle reflects the God who gives in abundance. We recall Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Abundance in life is what Jesus intends for us to have, but where do we find abundance in this life? The abundant life does not consist of an abundance of material things. True abundant life consists of an abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The overflowing wine at Cana reminds us that God’s love, mercy, and grace is not limited. He wants us to not only receive it, but also to pass it on abundantly to others.
Personal Worship Option:
God, thank you for the stockpiles of love, grace, and mercy that you have in store for me. Help me to be faithful to you and reflect your abundant love in my life today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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