Fasting Devotion Day 3
READ
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now! 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
THINK
Maybe it is a little mean of me to make us read a story in Scripture where people are feasting and drinking at a time where we are going through the withdrawal of denying ourselves. Just remember why we are doing this and forgive me because this story is so powerful. Feasting has a way of bringing people together like nothing else which is why this seemingly small story is the setting for one of the earliest miracles of Jesus.
Jewish wedding feasts lasted for days and at times even for weeks as long as the hosts could pay to continue the festivities. They were a symbol of family and community pride so to be lacking at your wedding was a horrifying ordeal. How can a man care for his wife and future family if he can’t even provide for his own wedding guests?
Every character in this story deeply represents us in certain moments of our spiritual journey. We have the wedding couple who needs help and provision just as we at times find ourselves in need. We have Mary who knows the answer is Jesus and is acting as an intercessor just as we often call upon Christ to move in our story. We have Jesus who must decide when to say yes and when to say no as we must often decide when opportunities come our way and finally we have the servants who are asked to bring water to the wedding guests and call it wine. A huge stretch of faith requiring them to believe in Christ’s word over the reality of the facts. As we walk with Jesus in these 21 days its important for us to see where we stand and realize that Jesus is there for us in every one of these moments.
1. Who do you resonate most with in this story? Are you the couple with not enough wine? The concerned mother (Mary) getting involved? Jesus the person that everyone wants to solve their problems? The servants called to trust in something they can’t see?
2. Each character had an obstacle of faith to overcome. What are some of the biggest obstacles to your faith right now?
PRAY
Today as a church we will take some time to confess to Jesus some of the times and areas where our faith is stretched and we don’t completely understand. Ask God to illustrate His faithfulness and that He can still turn water into wine!
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now! 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
THINK
Maybe it is a little mean of me to make us read a story in Scripture where people are feasting and drinking at a time where we are going through the withdrawal of denying ourselves. Just remember why we are doing this and forgive me because this story is so powerful. Feasting has a way of bringing people together like nothing else which is why this seemingly small story is the setting for one of the earliest miracles of Jesus.
Jewish wedding feasts lasted for days and at times even for weeks as long as the hosts could pay to continue the festivities. They were a symbol of family and community pride so to be lacking at your wedding was a horrifying ordeal. How can a man care for his wife and future family if he can’t even provide for his own wedding guests?
Every character in this story deeply represents us in certain moments of our spiritual journey. We have the wedding couple who needs help and provision just as we at times find ourselves in need. We have Mary who knows the answer is Jesus and is acting as an intercessor just as we often call upon Christ to move in our story. We have Jesus who must decide when to say yes and when to say no as we must often decide when opportunities come our way and finally we have the servants who are asked to bring water to the wedding guests and call it wine. A huge stretch of faith requiring them to believe in Christ’s word over the reality of the facts. As we walk with Jesus in these 21 days its important for us to see where we stand and realize that Jesus is there for us in every one of these moments.
1. Who do you resonate most with in this story? Are you the couple with not enough wine? The concerned mother (Mary) getting involved? Jesus the person that everyone wants to solve their problems? The servants called to trust in something they can’t see?
2. Each character had an obstacle of faith to overcome. What are some of the biggest obstacles to your faith right now?
PRAY
Today as a church we will take some time to confess to Jesus some of the times and areas where our faith is stretched and we don’t completely understand. Ask God to illustrate His faithfulness and that He can still turn water into wine!