Hidden Corners of Glory
By Michelle De Bruin
This story of Jesus’ first miracle
at the wedding in Cana has always interested me. Mostly because of what
the story says, but even more because of what is left unsaid. Each time I read
it, I ask another question. My list has become quite long: How did Jesus know
when the time was right to start doing miracles? How did the water turn into
wine? Did Jesus pronounce a blessing over it, like the pastor at communion, or
did he stir it? Maybe his shadow falling over the clear, deep pools of
still water reflecting the evening sunlight was enough to change it. Or
like the mud paste he used to heal the blind man, did he spit in it?
Oh, goodness. If I was in the family hosting this party, trying to impress our
friends and relatives, I would certainly hope not.
No one knows how the water actually
changed into wine. Neither does anyone seem to know the names of the bridal
couple or why Jesus responded to his mother the way he did.
The unspoken message in John 2 is
about expectation. The wedding guests expected to drink their fill of wine at
their host’s expense. Mary expected Jesus to heed her request to bring peace.
Jesus expected to be able to wait a little longer until his glory became known.
This clash of motives plays out in the humble home of a local village family.
Money probably ran a little short for this middle class Galilean family, as it
does for all of us from time to time. The guests kept on enjoying the feast,
and the wine supply was starting to dwindle. Running out of wine at a Jewish
wedding was the worst insult to both the host and the guests. The host would
feel humiliation over his inability to provide adequately for the celebration.
The guests would have felt disrespected. This outcome would have branded the
wedding couple with a reputation they’d never live down. Lawsuits may even be
brought against them.
Mary saw this situation brewing
under the surface of the simple surroundings and the merrymaking. Something
must be done, but what and by who? Seated across the banquet table from her was
the only one she ever needed–her son, Jesus. I like to imagine that over the
years, Mary probably witnessed Jesus settling disputes among his siblings,
offering a solution, speaking comfort, making peace. She says to him, “They
have no wine.”
Jesus puts her off with the
statement, “My hour has not yet come.”
Mary seems to ignore him. In full
confidence and faith, she turns to the servants and tells them, “Do whatever he
tells you.”
If I was Jesus, I would have rolled
my eyes at my presumptuous mother. But since he is perfect and I am not, he
probably handled the situation much better. Jesus gives instructions to fill
the stone jars with water, draw some out, and take it to the master of the
party. Somewhere between the words leaving Jesus’ mouth and
the liquid reaching the master’s mouth, the water had changed
into wine.
Jesus’ glory was revealed. In a
common family living in an obscure town, glory shone. During a large, crowded
celebration, glory sneaked in. While saving simple people from disaster, glory
quietly spread in the form of kindness and understanding.
Like Mary’s life, the lives of this
wedding couple, and the lives of the small town guests, our lives are filled
with the simple, the common, the crowded, and sometimes, the disastrous. Jesus
is present with the soothing word of comfort. He provides when our resources
run out He makes peace in situations that seem to have no happy ending. This is
when his glory shines. He reveals himself in subtle, miraculous ways that we
would miss if it wasn’t for his glory shining on them.
Michelle De Bruin is the Spiritual Services Facilitator for an
organization that provides services for people with both mental and physical
disabilities. In this role, she plans and leads retreats, teaches Bible
studies, offers care during times of grief, and writes devotions. Michelle
lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Iowa. She's recently completed
the manuscript for a historical romance drawn from her local history and family
heritage. The story explores the themes of discerning the call to ministry,
growing through grief, and discovering true love.
Where to find Michelle:
Website: https://michelledebruin.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDeBruinsAuthorPage/
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