1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4“Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” John 2: 1-8
Marriage is not just a social contract or a formal agreement between a man and a woman to live together for life. Marriage has a very powerful and holy purpose.
In the Bible, God intended every marriage to be a reflection of his presence in the world today. In short, it is God’s desire that every union of husband and wife become a showcase of his presence and glory.
But the truth is, many marriages today are falling apart. The pressures of modern life have made it extremely difficult for married people to stay faithful to their vows, and to commit themselves until death.
The reasons are complex and varied. We are not here to judge. We are here simply to realize that we need God’s help to make anything really succeed, including marriage.
The first documented miracle of Jesus Christ happened in a wedding. It happened in Cana, a small town in Galilee where Jesus turned water into wine when the couple’s family ran out of wine for their wedding guests.
Similarly to the Filipino culture, weddings in the culture of Jesus were considered to be big social events. Weddings are also the best time to impress the members of community.
In the Gospel account, however, the horror of horrors happened. The families of the married couple ran out of wine to serve their guests. Mary, the mother of Jesus, instantly came to the rescue. She then brought the problem to Jesus. At first, Jesus did not want any involvement with the problem, but just the same, his heart of compassion rose to the occasion. We are told that Jesus transformed six jar stones of water to wine, which, after serving the guests, impressed everyone.
Like our Bible account today, there always comes a point in life when we run dry. This dryness can manifest in many ways, and in various seasons of our lives — when financial difficulties come; when health problems strike; when our relationships are threatened, or at times, when we are visited by feelings of extreme loneliness and weariness that we cannot even explain.
It is refreshing to know that when those moments come, when spiritual dryness hits us hard, we can always turn to Jesus Christ for help.
It was not mere coincidence or circumstantial that the first miracle of Jesus happened in the context of a wedding. God intended it that way. God wants us to appreciate that marriage and miracles are perfect partners. It is in the context of marriage and family life that we can truly witness the power of Jesus at work.
A miracle is defined as an event that cannot be explained by the laws of nature. In short, miracles are acts of God. These are events and circumstances in life that can only be attributed to the power, grace, and glory of the Lord.
God wants every marriage to succeed. And that is non-negotiable. On the part of God, he will do everything in his power to help. But God also wants us to be responsible and accountable for that success.
For a marriage that is truly anchored in Christ, there is no Plan B or Plan C, just in case in does not work. Marriage is for life — for better or for worse, until death separates one from the other.
Husbands, know and remember that you vowed to love and commit yourself only to one woman until death separates you from her. May God grant you integrity to stand by that sacred vow.
Jesus wants you to love your wife the way He loved and cared for the Church — even to the point of laying down your life for her sake. Honor her with utmost love. Protect her. Nurture her. Take good care of her needs. Understand her need for attention and appreciation even when she is most unlovable.
The same goes to every wife. God wants you to know that you vowed to love and commit yourself only to one man until death separates you from him. It’s hard to stand by your man when the going gets tough — but that’s what marriage is all about.
I pray that by the grace of God, you wives will learn to be kind with your words, and generous with your encouragement. Give your husband unconditional respect and trust — most especially when the going gets really tough, and when it is most tempting to just give up and walk away.
Today, allow me now to speak words of blessings to all husbands and wives who continue to reach out to the Lord in full faith — pleading for strength every single day to keep the marriage bed pure; upholding the promise to be faithful in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, until death!
I speak to you three miracles: 1) The Miracle of Provision. May you experience God’s abundant provisions — material and most especially, spiritual as you seek his will; 2) The Miracle of Partnership. May your love for each other bring glory to Jesus Christ and make a difference in the lives of many; and the 3) The Miracle of Answered Prayers. May you never fear or panic when the waters run dry but learn to call out to Jesus in confidence, believing that he will command his waters to go your way, ushering upon you the greatest of miracles, the purest of grace, and the sweetest of his presence, today and for all eternity.
