At the risk of saying this about every episode - this is one of my favorites!
There is so much to take in in this episode -
The episode opens with Mary frantically searching for Jesus! As she asks around in the bazaar, Joseph finally approaches her with their son. Jesus is 11, maybe 12 years old. There's just a shadow of facial hair sprouting on his upper lip. He seems a bit confused by his mother's panicked reaction. "Didn't you know I must be with my Father?" he asks.
"Then why weren't you?" she asked with a glance at Joseph.
There's a beat before she realizes what's being said...as the camera pans up to reveal the temple.
She's not ready for this! She's not ready for her son to become what God had promised so many years ago.
"If not now, when?" Jesus asks.
This episode continues to follow the stories of so many characters -
Nicodemus continues to investigate miracles (inspired by Mary's healing) as he questions the imprisoned John the Baptist.
Simon returns home after the miracle catch of fish to share the news with Eden. Her reaction to Simon's excited babbling is unexpected! She celebrates the man she married, knows what he says is true - "How could you make this up?" she asks with a laugh. She assures him that Jesus picked him for a reason - of COURSE the Messiah would choose him. Her faith in her husband is everything!
The majority of this episode, though, focuses on the wedding celebration in Cana. A family friend of Jesus is getting married and he and his disciples (there are 7 at this point, along with Mary). As they're walking from Capernaum to Cana, Simon is trying to make plans with Jesus. He has this image in his head of what the Messiah should be (as did so many Jews in this day). He was preparing for the conquering Messiah - for the might of the King to be displayed.
As it happens in coming episodes, Jesus humors Simon. He let's Simon talk. He's patient with him, but reassures him that things are not as they seem!
This day, in particular, they are only focusing on celebrating a wedding! And Jesus is preparing to see the most intimidating person he knows - his mother!
So many things to like about this episode - the cultural celebration of love! We get a glimpse of what a 1st century wedding may have been like! We see Jesus dancing with his friends, laughing with his mother, entertaining children with games.
I absolutely love the idea that Jesus would've taken time to sit at the kids' table!! Of course He would!!
The disciples are watching all of this from a distance - Simon recounting his discussion with Andrew of how they learned to be fishermen. "Don't you remember how Father taught us to fish?" he asked. "We did nothing but watch him fish, until finally he told us to do it."
Mary responds, her eyes on Jesus, "We'll be watching him for a long time!"
Simon watches Jesus from across the way. Jesus is stacking cups in a pyramid as children watch him. "They have no idea who they're sitting with," he says. I love that Simon says this - it's so symbolic of his own understanding of who Jesus is. He has no idea what's to come - what Jesus is about to do!
Maybe one of my favorite things about this episode is the way Thomas in introduced into the narrative. He is the supplier of wine at the wedding feast. As he and his wife (sister?) prepare the jars of wine for travel, he asks why they're only taking three. Shouldn't they take a fourth?
He assured that the family only paid for three, that four wouldn't travel without breaking...they they're providing what was paid for.
But as the party carries on - Thomas is panicked as the wine runs out. It's suggested to dilute the wine - to pour the cups only partway full.
Mary - Jesus's mother - who showed up early to help with preparations for the day - is aware the wine is gone. She's aware of what this could mean for the family. This would bring dishonor to them. People wouldn't remember the good time they'd had - they'd remember that the family couldn't provide for their guests.
So, Mary approaches her son. "What would you have me do?" he asks. "My time as not yet come."
Mary looks at him. She has faith in her son. She knows the ramifications to the family if he doesn't do this. "If not now, when?" she asks echoing the opening scene.
Jesus steps into the room where the ceremonial jars of water are stored. Thomas is there with him. He's still worked up about the situation, questioning what Jesus could possibly do to fix the issue. When Jesus instructs them to fill the jars with water - Thomas is almost incredulous!
But, just like with Simon, Jesus is extremely patient with Thomas. He praises Thomas for his attention to detail, for his skill with numbers. He needs people like that with him, he says as he invites Thomas to join him and the others.
As the jars are filled, Jesus asks everyone to leave the room. Thomas hesitates - but Jesus assures him it's only for a moment. As the room clears, Jesus raises his eyes to Heaven, says he is ready, and dips his hand into the jar of water.
As he pulls his hand out, we can see it dripping with red wine. It's then that Jesus clasps his hand into a tight fist.
Maybe this went unnoticed by some - but I have to wonder...
Obviously a fist raised is a symbol of power, of might, of conviction....Up to this point, this isn't the Jesus we've seen. We've seen the friend. We've seen the teacher. We've seen the joker. But, we haven't see the power and might of God's Son.
I think, Jesus clenching his hand into a fist is God declaring his power in him...or maybe him declaring God's power through him. We know, according to Scripture, that this was Jesus first public miracle - at least a miracle he made aware to those outside is circle of disciples/students.
He calls the servers back, asks them to serve the wine to the master of ceremonies, and smiles softly as the man exclaims at the quality of wine being served. "Normally people serve their best wine first. Only when everyone has had too much to drink do they bring out the cheaper stuff. But, you've waited until now to serve your best!"
It was questioned last night - as we wrapped up youth group - why Jesus would do such a miracle. There was no spiritual significance to it.
My response then was in line with the idea that Jesus cared for more than just the spirit of a person! Yes, the spirit was quite often the central focus of what he did - but his physical healings of others cared more about their physical needs and comfort.
In this miracle - Jesus is caring for familial relationships. He's bringing honor to the host family, he's providing an opportunity for the bride's family to practice some humility and seek forgiveness in their treatment of the groom's family. It's through caring about the physical, that the spiritual can be better catered to, I think.
It's like when he feeds the 5,000+ people following the sermon on the mount. How can the spirit continue to develop if the physical body isn't cared for?
What get's me most, from this episode, though, is Thomas's reaction to the whole thing. We don't know much about Thomas - there's really only one story in Scripture that even highlights him as a follower of Jesus, and it's not necessarily the best. Thomas is known to most as "Doubting Thomas" because, following the resurrection he had a hard time believing Jesus was truly alive.
This episode introduces us to Thomas in a similar light - a man wanting clear answers, a man struggling to accept unbelievable things! As the episode ends, Thomas is standing awestruck in front of the stone jars now filled with wine. He can't believe what has just happened.
But, Jesus has asked him to join his group. He wants to know more of Thomas - he sees something in Thomas that he longs to develop and grow! Thomas is amazed by Jesus - by his patience, by his power...
I want to continue being amazed by Jesus!
There is so much to take in in this episode -
The episode opens with Mary frantically searching for Jesus! As she asks around in the bazaar, Joseph finally approaches her with their son. Jesus is 11, maybe 12 years old. There's just a shadow of facial hair sprouting on his upper lip. He seems a bit confused by his mother's panicked reaction. "Didn't you know I must be with my Father?" he asks.
"Then why weren't you?" she asked with a glance at Joseph.
There's a beat before she realizes what's being said...as the camera pans up to reveal the temple.
She's not ready for this! She's not ready for her son to become what God had promised so many years ago.
"If not now, when?" Jesus asks.
This episode continues to follow the stories of so many characters -
Nicodemus continues to investigate miracles (inspired by Mary's healing) as he questions the imprisoned John the Baptist.
Simon returns home after the miracle catch of fish to share the news with Eden. Her reaction to Simon's excited babbling is unexpected! She celebrates the man she married, knows what he says is true - "How could you make this up?" she asks with a laugh. She assures him that Jesus picked him for a reason - of COURSE the Messiah would choose him. Her faith in her husband is everything!
The majority of this episode, though, focuses on the wedding celebration in Cana. A family friend of Jesus is getting married and he and his disciples (there are 7 at this point, along with Mary). As they're walking from Capernaum to Cana, Simon is trying to make plans with Jesus. He has this image in his head of what the Messiah should be (as did so many Jews in this day). He was preparing for the conquering Messiah - for the might of the King to be displayed.
As it happens in coming episodes, Jesus humors Simon. He let's Simon talk. He's patient with him, but reassures him that things are not as they seem!
This day, in particular, they are only focusing on celebrating a wedding! And Jesus is preparing to see the most intimidating person he knows - his mother!
So many things to like about this episode - the cultural celebration of love! We get a glimpse of what a 1st century wedding may have been like! We see Jesus dancing with his friends, laughing with his mother, entertaining children with games.
I absolutely love the idea that Jesus would've taken time to sit at the kids' table!! Of course He would!!
The disciples are watching all of this from a distance - Simon recounting his discussion with Andrew of how they learned to be fishermen. "Don't you remember how Father taught us to fish?" he asked. "We did nothing but watch him fish, until finally he told us to do it."
Mary responds, her eyes on Jesus, "We'll be watching him for a long time!"
Simon watches Jesus from across the way. Jesus is stacking cups in a pyramid as children watch him. "They have no idea who they're sitting with," he says. I love that Simon says this - it's so symbolic of his own understanding of who Jesus is. He has no idea what's to come - what Jesus is about to do!
Maybe one of my favorite things about this episode is the way Thomas in introduced into the narrative. He is the supplier of wine at the wedding feast. As he and his wife (sister?) prepare the jars of wine for travel, he asks why they're only taking three. Shouldn't they take a fourth?
He assured that the family only paid for three, that four wouldn't travel without breaking...they they're providing what was paid for.
But as the party carries on - Thomas is panicked as the wine runs out. It's suggested to dilute the wine - to pour the cups only partway full.
Mary - Jesus's mother - who showed up early to help with preparations for the day - is aware the wine is gone. She's aware of what this could mean for the family. This would bring dishonor to them. People wouldn't remember the good time they'd had - they'd remember that the family couldn't provide for their guests.
So, Mary approaches her son. "What would you have me do?" he asks. "My time as not yet come."
Mary looks at him. She has faith in her son. She knows the ramifications to the family if he doesn't do this. "If not now, when?" she asks echoing the opening scene.
Jesus steps into the room where the ceremonial jars of water are stored. Thomas is there with him. He's still worked up about the situation, questioning what Jesus could possibly do to fix the issue. When Jesus instructs them to fill the jars with water - Thomas is almost incredulous!
But, just like with Simon, Jesus is extremely patient with Thomas. He praises Thomas for his attention to detail, for his skill with numbers. He needs people like that with him, he says as he invites Thomas to join him and the others.
As the jars are filled, Jesus asks everyone to leave the room. Thomas hesitates - but Jesus assures him it's only for a moment. As the room clears, Jesus raises his eyes to Heaven, says he is ready, and dips his hand into the jar of water.
As he pulls his hand out, we can see it dripping with red wine. It's then that Jesus clasps his hand into a tight fist.
Maybe this went unnoticed by some - but I have to wonder...
Obviously a fist raised is a symbol of power, of might, of conviction....Up to this point, this isn't the Jesus we've seen. We've seen the friend. We've seen the teacher. We've seen the joker. But, we haven't see the power and might of God's Son.
I think, Jesus clenching his hand into a fist is God declaring his power in him...or maybe him declaring God's power through him. We know, according to Scripture, that this was Jesus first public miracle - at least a miracle he made aware to those outside is circle of disciples/students.
He calls the servers back, asks them to serve the wine to the master of ceremonies, and smiles softly as the man exclaims at the quality of wine being served. "Normally people serve their best wine first. Only when everyone has had too much to drink do they bring out the cheaper stuff. But, you've waited until now to serve your best!"
It was questioned last night - as we wrapped up youth group - why Jesus would do such a miracle. There was no spiritual significance to it.
My response then was in line with the idea that Jesus cared for more than just the spirit of a person! Yes, the spirit was quite often the central focus of what he did - but his physical healings of others cared more about their physical needs and comfort.
In this miracle - Jesus is caring for familial relationships. He's bringing honor to the host family, he's providing an opportunity for the bride's family to practice some humility and seek forgiveness in their treatment of the groom's family. It's through caring about the physical, that the spiritual can be better catered to, I think.
It's like when he feeds the 5,000+ people following the sermon on the mount. How can the spirit continue to develop if the physical body isn't cared for?
What get's me most, from this episode, though, is Thomas's reaction to the whole thing. We don't know much about Thomas - there's really only one story in Scripture that even highlights him as a follower of Jesus, and it's not necessarily the best. Thomas is known to most as "Doubting Thomas" because, following the resurrection he had a hard time believing Jesus was truly alive.
This episode introduces us to Thomas in a similar light - a man wanting clear answers, a man struggling to accept unbelievable things! As the episode ends, Thomas is standing awestruck in front of the stone jars now filled with wine. He can't believe what has just happened.
But, Jesus has asked him to join his group. He wants to know more of Thomas - he sees something in Thomas that he longs to develop and grow! Thomas is amazed by Jesus - by his patience, by his power...
I want to continue being amazed by Jesus!