In Excess

This devotional considers John 2:1-12.

When I consider Jesus turning water to wine at a wedding, it always seems like such a light-hearted, even frivolous thing to do. It wasn’t physical healing, deliverance from an evil spirit, or some miraculous provision for a deep need. It was a joyful occasion. And it was wine. And it was the end of the celebration when the master of the banquet said to the bridegroom, 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 till now.

I get that Jesus was invited to a wedding, but what was he doing contributing to this too much to drink situation? Jesus was literally the life of this party. But why? Because his mother asked? Yes, absolutely. In part, I think it was as simple as that. She asked with expectation that he would say yes, and from experience it seems. She knew Jesus at home, up close and personal. She knew he was the great provider who only required willing hearts and obedience. His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ And they did.

Another reason Jesus may have said yes to this request is that he was watching his hour play out before his eyes. Jesus was always about his Father’s business. So, a live parable of the Kingdom of God come to earth—the ordinariness of earth—was the assignment for the day. He knew that his shed blood, as what would soon enough be represented in wine at the last supper, was the best replacement for what had been insufficient, that is, grace over law.

The servants went for the jars used for ceremonial washing of the body. But we know that, as Jesus said, to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone. Jesus had those jars  filled with water and changed it to the best wine to be consumed. Here we can understand that we are cleansed and made righteous by the blood of Jesus poured out in excess.

John, the one who Jesus loved, was the only one to record this miracle. I believe he saw and understood the work of Christ even in this simple, kind, joyful act of providing more wine. How can we acknowledge the ever flowing, excessive work of Christ in our everyday lives today? His sacrifice is relevant—to everything.

Amen.