Weddings share the love

This past week-end I attended a wedding.

I love weddings? How about you?

Weddings are such happy occasions. There’s so much love present!

Of course the bride and groom show their love (we hope and pray they do), but so does everyone else! The guests are present because they love the couple or some special member of the family. Family and close friends are happy and excited because they wish the very best for the newly weds. In most cases, all attendees put aside their differences and honor the sacredness of the celebration by being on their best behavior (showing their love for the wedding couple). Weddings also remind married couples of the beauty of marriage.

Weddings are a celebration of love.

And, most important, of course, is God’s love and presence in marriage.

Perhaps Jesus loved weddings, too. He certainly recognized the significance of the event, the excitement of the family as they celebrate, and the participant’s desire that all go well. Early in His ministry, Jesus attended a wedding at Cana in Galilee. His mother and the disciples also were guests.

A traditional Jewish wedding during this time in history might last two weeks. The hosts were expected to provide plenty of food and wine. To fail in this hospitality would be a major embarrassment to the wedding couple and their families. At this wedding in Cana, the hosts did not have enough wine and ran out before the celebration was over. This was a true calamity.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked her son to intervene. His initial response was to decline, saying:

Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” John 2:4

Yet, Mary persisted. She had faith that Jesus would see the importance of the occasion and would take care of the situation.

He did.

Mary directed the servants to do “whatever he tells you.” Although we don’t know what role Mary had at the wedding (why she knew they were out of wine when the master of the banquet did not), she made clear to the servant who was in charge–Jesus.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. John 2:7 

These stone jars were very large, holding nearly 30 gallons each. That’s a lot of water. That’s a LOT of wine!

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” John 2:8

When the master of the banquet sampled, he was surprised at how good the wine tasted. When he consulted with the bridegroom he said:

Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best until now.” John 2:10

This wedding dilemma, solved by Jesus, illustrates that Christ is clearly able to meet people’s needs, but the focus of the story is not just on these needs, but on Jesus as an extraordinary person who clearly recognizes his mission to glorify his Father in all things.*

There was certainly no shortage of food or beverage at my cousin’s wedding (although there was no wine). Love was in abundance  and the presence of Jesus clearly felt.

Jesus was present at the wedding in Cana, but his actions were not just to keep the hosts from being embarrassed. Jesus quietly acted in a manner that brought support to all those present and glory to God.

A wonderful example for us as well. Can we support others and bring glory to God in all we do?

Praying that all young couples (and old) have a Christ centered marriage and that our actions (both small and great) work to glorify our Lord.

 

*The New American Commentary, www.logos.com