Judah and Israel, a united kingdom, a population as numerous as the sands of the sea, flourish. The promise of a homeland for Israel had been fulfilled and all were blessed, each man rested under his own vine and fig tree. Solomon has more than enough to make his rule secure, and the wisdom God gave Solomon abounds in proverbs, songs, and teachings about the world God had given them. Now he will build the temple his father had planned for the God who blessed them. This will be a place to draw the nations and the place all Israel will come to worship the true King of the earth.
Jesus takes His place in the lives of the people He created. As one of us He shares the good times with us. A wedding party, a happy time, provides Jesus the opportunity to begin to demonstrate what He brings to us. We can study and exegete and postulate all day on the wine and verbs in the passage, and perhaps learn something after our minds become soaked with readings and discussions, but the great importance of John’s account would be lost. In the Word made flesh, God communicates to us that He always wants to bless us and give joy and meaning to both this life and the life to come. Jesus, as Man and God, states very powerfully that gifts have meaning and find their fulfillment when used to bless man and glorify God. At this wedding party He does both at the same time. When gifts are used as God intends, they will lead those looking for God to be turned to Him and be given reason to believe and live His will.
What a wonderful example we have! Yes, we know more of what comes later in both accounts, but take them as they are, now. Our Creator blesses us with gifts of many kinds. Take stock of them today. Ask how these abilities, whether many or few, may be used to bless the lives of people and in turn glorify the great and gracious God who freely gives to all, and gave His Son that we might live now and have hope of life to come.
Prayer: Holy, Righteous Father, help us today to see the goodness You provide, the gifts You give, that we may use them to bless others and bring glory to Your name.