…there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. John 2:1

The first of our grandchildren is planning a wedding in December, so there is a bit of excitement in our oldest daughter’s home. Contrary to Ken’s and my personal experience, it seems the first obstacle in planning a wedding these days is securing a venue. Getting the desired space requires a lot of patience and usually a wait of a year or more, maybe even two years. Whatever happened to holding a wedding in a church and a reception in the church activity center? Planning the event is a huge investment in time and money, usually resulting in mountains of stress along the way. I’m glad we were married in simpler times. Traditions change, but the key to a happy and satisfying life as a couple is to focus on the marriage more than the wedding.

 More than two centuries ago, when Jesus walked the earth, wedding traditions differed greatly from those of today. First, the father of a prospective groom searched for a match he thought appropriate for his son. He then visited the father of the woman who’d been chosen and suggested a union between their offspring. If the father of the woman agreed, the two would then negotiate a “bride price.” Yes, the father of the groom essentially “bought” a wife for his son. This price could be offered as money or goods. Once an agreement was formalized, the couple was considered betrothed, which was nearly as binding as marriage, except the union was not yet consummated.

After negotiations were completed, the groom remained with his family to build a new home for his wife, typically an addition to his father’s home. Perhaps a year or so later, (This is the one part that is similar to today), the families would gather together for about a week of wedding feasting before the final vows were taken and the couple was officially married. Weddings were a time of great celebration; much food and wine were consumed as families and friends shared the joy of the occasion.

The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told them, “They have no more wine.” John 2:3

It was during one such time of feasting that Mary, mother of Jesus, arrived in Cana, a small town in Galilee less than a day’s travel from her home. There is a supposition that her inclusion in the wedding festivities suggested that Mary was a relative of either the bride or groom. Jesus and his disciples were also in attendance. Not long after their arrival, Mary realized that wine was running short and, not wanting the host family to be embarrassed, she went to Jesus and told him of the situation. At first, he told her it was not yet time for him to reveal his ministry, but then he reconsidered, and when servants brought six large empty jars to him and filled them with plain water, he changed it to the finest of wine. The master of ceremonies knew nothing of Jesus’ intervention as he praised the bridegroom for saving the best wine for later in the festivities, but the servants and Jesus’ disciples had witnessed the miracle that had saved the day.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew) ….”A host always serves the best wine first,….but you have kept the best until now!” John 2:10 paraphrased

This story is recorded as the first miracle of Jesus’ three-year ministry, and certainly it is an important event in that regard. But I think it also shows us another side of this man, Jesus. He came to a wedding to celebrate a special time with family and friends, to share food and laughter. He enjoyed the typical social life of his culture and financial status. He was one of them and so approachable that people quickly came to love him. They clamored to see him and hear him teach. Without a personality that endeared him to everyday people, he would not have built such a following. Yes, at that wedding, Jesus performed a miracle and began to establish himself as the long-awaited Messiah. He also demonstrated compassion toward his host. He knew how to treat people and how to create joy. Those are traits we should all try to emulate. We may not be able to perform miracles, but we can certainly love more like Jesus.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other…..your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35