What I’m Thinking: Starting with Joy

According to John, the first sign Jesus performed that revealed who he was and what God intended for him was at the wedding at Cana: turning water into wine. He kept the celebration going. He began his ministry with joy.

Here’s a transcript:

I’m thinking about the wedding at Cana described in the second chapter of John’s Gospel (John 2:1-12). John calls it the first of Jesus’ “signs,” the first indication of who he was, and what God was about in Jesus’ life and ministry.

Jesus was attending a wedding, and at the feast, they ran out of wine. Jesus’ mother first invited, and later insisted that Jesus do something, and so he changed water into wine.

Now John didn’t have to tell this story. John tells fewer stories in his gospel than any of his contemporaries. He told this one: a story in which Jesus saw that a celebration continue.

John and Jesus both lived in harsh, challenging, difficult times. So do we. And it is well for us to remember that Jesus acted to increase joy.

Jesus always acts to increase joy.

So as we do our work to make a better world, let us recall that the One who walks and works with us increases our joy.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear about what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below; I’d love to hear from you.