Wedding Gift

Jesus did many other miracles in the presence of his followers that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you may have life through his name.

 

This remarkable passage comes from the Gospel of John--a book of the Bible that's full of eye-witness accounts of Christ's miracles. In it we read about Jesus healing the sick, walking on water and raising the dead. And that's not to mention his own miraculous resurrection and subsequent victory over death and sin. But John's Gospel also presents the famous story about a wedding Jesus attended with his mother and earliest disciples. It was during the post-nuptial celebration that he performed the first of his public miracles: changing water into wine.

Scholars have for centuries speculated about this wonder. It obviously demonstrated Jesus' power over material things. But it also revealed something much more profound: that God takes a personal interest in His creation--even mundane problems like running low on beverages at a party.

A gift (especially a wedding gift in this instance) is a visual, tangible symbol of love. So think back to the best gift that you ever received or gave. Whatever it was, it likely had some special characteristics. It was probably creative and had some thought behind it. And it also met a real need, regardless of its cost.

Jesus lived out his ministry giving to others in need. He gave the gift of sight to the blind, mobility to the disabled and even food to the hungry. And when Christ changed water into wine during the wedding feast, it saved the host from the embarrassment of running out of wine half-way through the party. Not only was Jesus a practical giver, he was also a humble one. He could have made a spectacle with his miracle and glorified himself. Instead, only the waiters at the feast knew that he had caused the transformation. It's a lesson that many of us could learn today.

Perhaps above all, Jesus' first recorded miracle at the wedding in Cana reminds us that it really is more blessed to give than to receive. And it's when we give like Jesus that we begin to look like him.