The Quiet Hidden Sign – John 2:1-11

A text – John 2:1-11

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ⁶ Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. ⁹ When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

A reflection:

In the Gospel of John, the miraculous acts of Jesus are always called signs. John puts them into the story to point the reader’s or hearer’s attention toward belief in God, faith in God, relationship with God. Jesus is always working to bring people to the knowledge of God’s love for human beings. Here is a sign, John is saying, that will show you how much God loves us – God wants there to be enough wine at a wedding feast. That’s the kind of banquet God is preparing for us: a rich and generous party from a rich and generous God.

But this sign is done really really behind the scenes. Mary tells Jesus about the shortage; Jesus doesn’t seem willing to act since his public ministry is in its very first moments. But Mary knows Jesus can help, so she alerts the staff. No one but the waiters and Jesus (and us) know it’s happening, and even they cannot see it because the water/wine is in stone jars. It is a very hidden sign.

One scholar, Roy Harrisville III, has written about this first sign in John’s gospel: “This quiet miracle is the manifestation of Christ’s glory. But no one actually saw it. Nor was there a thunder clap to herald the event. God’s glory is not what humans expect it to be. His glory is not for mere display but has the purpose to fulfill his service to his creation. Jesus even buries Himself in a quiet tomb to do his work on Easter where no one can see or hear.”

This idea that God’s glory isn’t what humans expect – we have heard this before. The hiddenness of God has puzzled folks forever. God’s hiding can be a stumbling block to faith if we are looking for obvious power and glory from the heavens. But if we are willing to pay attention and seek God’s power and glory in unexpected places, then God does surprise us. If we look for God’s presence and God’s action, God shows us what’s happening and maybe even how we can be a part of it.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for providing signs to your reign and your glory in quiet ways to unsuspecting people who live at the margins of life. Help us to realize you are at work in our lives, too, maybe in unobvious ways, to give us life and give it abundantly, like wine at a wedding. Amen.