What’s your goal for your daily Bible reading? For years, I’ve tried to follow George Mueller’s suggestion to “get my soul happy in God.” What I’ve found is that I need to write out my meditations in order to get my heart truly engaged. For a sample of what I’m talking about, here’s an entry from my journal last week:
John 2:1-12. Now here is an interesting story. John doesn’t give us anything explicit about the significance of the miracle—no interpretive comments from Jesus, no illuminated reflections later from the disciples. Just the story itself with a few details that stand out…
First, Jesus’ interaction with His mother (vv3-4). His question demonstrates that He was distancing Himself from her somewhat. His follow-up comment hints at the reason: He’s focused now on His life’s mission, “the hour” for which He came, the cross itself. What better way to indicate to this woman most precious to Him that things were changing between them. Ambiguity would probably have been more painful to her: “Why is He gone all the time? Why doesn’t He listen to me?” Even if Jesus had a conversation with her in private, this was the defining moment where she obviously understood His point. And the same goes for all of us, His followers in later generations. We can see the lines of loyalty and priority being clearly laid down in Jesus’ life—His mission/the Father’s will is preeminent. Every other human loyalty must be second to that.
Next, Jesus’ mode for performing the miracle—i.e., jars for Jewish purification (v6), the downplaying of the moment when the water was transformed (v9 “when the master tasted the water that had become wine” – when? how?!), the superior quality of the wine (v10). Here is the point of the miracle itself. The old Jewish system had fulfilled its purpose. It seems significant to me that Jesus doesn’t break the jars or toss them in the trash. He doesn’t denigrate them. Nor does He ignore them. He literally fills them up and then transforms their purpose. Whereas before, these jars helped people get washed up, now they supply party-goers with an integral resource for celebration! The time for washing is over. It’s time to party! The Jewish system drew attention to my unworthiness, but Jesus draws attention to God’s generosity and joy!
And finally, how John wraps up the story—that Jesus here “manifested His glory” and the disciples “believed into Him.” The point of the story is to draw us into worship of Jesus. See His grace and truth. Believe!