QUESTIONS JESUS ASKS

Week One
John 2: 1-11

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother
was there,

2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no
more wine.”

4 “Woman, why do you need of me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet
come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for
ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them
to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the
banquet.” They did so,

9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into
wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who
had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

10 and said, “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.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs
through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
According to the Gospel of John, on the third day of Jesus’ ministry he
shows up at a wedding in a small village called Cana. This is striking
because John the Baptist had just pointed to Jesus and claimed that he was
the Son of God, the lamb that takes away the sin of the world. Jesus then
asked disciples what they were seeking: one of his first profound
questions.
But now, having been recognized as the Messiah, one would think that
Jesus would head for Jerusalem, the center of power. Instead he goes to
Cana, an ordinary town, and attends an ordinary wedding.
At weddings, then like now, everyone works hard to create a happy
moment, for the couple but also for the community. This joyful beginning
was important for everyone.
Of course, weddings are not our only glimpse of happiness. I have also
seen this hope expressed in hospitals, or at births, or celebrations. These
are the extraordinary moments that decorate our otherwise ordinary
routines. And that was exactly what Jesus entered at this wedding in
ordinary Cana. The Gospel writer wants to direct our attention to
something that threatens this joyful event.
Jesus’ mother comes to him and says, “They have no more wine.” If the
wine is gone then the celebration will end, and the couple may be
embarrassed.
Jesus responds to Mary by saying, “What do you need from me? My hour
has not yet come.” In one sentence he again asks what is needed, what is
sought, yet he reminds her that his time is not yet come - he doesn’t want
to be revealed yet. Mary reacts the way mothers often do, and says, “Do
what you want.” (Her tone may have encouraged Jesus to think about his
response.)
Jesus decides to turn ordinary water into wine. Jesus, whom John the
Baptist has just declared to be the Savior and whom the disciples began to
follow because they expected him to do something big, is moved by the
ordinary need of a young couple whose happy moment may be ruined. So,
Jesus chooses to begin his world changing ministry right there in Nowhere
Special.
This was his first miracle. According to the text, Jesus gives 180 gallons
of wine to people who have already been drinking. The wine steward said
that this was better wine than they had been drinking, but the chances are
great that no one can tell the difference now, so it is lost on them. No one
is healed or fed. No injustice righted. We are not sure that any lessons
learned. So the reader is tempted to say, “O Jesus, don’t waste a miracle.
There are bigger problems.”
But that is not the way the gospel works! The real miracle in this story has
nothing to do with the wine. The first place this holy Word, Lamb of God,
Jesus the Christ appears is not in Jerusalem but at a little country wedding
that just might run out of happiness.
I believe that what the gospel writer is saying is that until you see Jesus
in the small things you will never recognize him in the big things. You
had better learn how to find him first in Cana, find him where you have a
need no matter how simple or small, because that is how it all starts.
The gospel starts not with the powerful but with ordinary people. Do you
DARE to think that life itself should be alive and exciting? That is exactly
what Jesus is saying, The miracle of the Gospel starts when you realize
that the Savior is with you, and you don’t have to settle for momentary
happiness because this Savior will never leave you. Life can be so much
more!
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
1. The provocative question for this week is “what do you need” from
Jesus. So, how do you feel about telling Jesus your needs and wants?
2. It is clear in our scripture lesson that the problem at the wedding is
relatively small compared to the problems in the world, especially the
world Jesus lived in. Do you think there is a particular reason Jesus
performed this as his first ever miracle?
3. Jesus seemed reluctant at first, but then never hesitated to help at the
wedding. Mary didn’t fret about Jesus concern for revealing his identity,
but focused on the need. Does that seem disrespectful? Does it seem
faithful? Do you fear asking Jesus something when he is “busy”?
4. The Bride and Groom were not aware of the situation, and certainly not
aware that Jesus was doing something for them that would save their
special day. Does Jesus bless us when we aren’t looking or must we ask?
5. Is there an importance to asking (at least some of the time)?
6. Do you think Jesus created the best wine because he wanted to show
extravagance, or because he could only create the best? What does that
tell you about Jesus meeting your needs?
7. Identify the areas of your life that you have believed are irrelevant to
Jesus. (Do you keep Jesus out of your closet because you think your
clothes make you vain? Do you pray before going to the hairdresser, or
before playing a game?) Does Jesus belong in those places?
8. How might you reveal your deepest needs, no matter large or small?
9. Think of a small concern you have, and bring it before God, let Jesus
have that concern, then see if you can truly let it go. (This isn’t testing
God, but testing your faith and submission, no matter what the results are.)
10. When Jesus asks, what do you need or what do you seek, can you
answer? What is the deep yearning of your life, and can Jesus help you?