Chapter 15—At the Marriage Feast
This chapter is based on
John 2:1-11
.
Jesus did not begin His ministry by some great work before the
Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. At a household gathering in a little Galilean
village His power was put forth to add to the joy of a wedding feast.
Thus He showed His sympathy with men, and His desire to minister to
their happiness. In the wilderness of temptation He Himself had drunk
the cup of woe. He came forth to give to men the cup of blessing, by
His benediction to hallow the relations of human life.
From the Jordan, Jesus had returned to Galilee. There was to be
a marriage at Cana, a little town not far from Nazareth; the parties
were relatives of Joseph and Mary; and Jesus, knowing of this family
gathering, went to Cana, and with His disciples was invited to the
feast.
Again He met His mother, from whom He had for some time been
separated. Mary had heard of the manifestation at the Jordan, at His
baptism. The tidings had been carried to Nazareth, and had brought to
her mind afresh the scenes that for so many years had been hidden in
her heart. In common with all Israel, Mary was deeply stirred by the
mission of John the Baptist. Well she remembered the prophecy given
at his birth. Now his connection with Jesus kindled her hopes anew.
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But tidings had reached her also of the mysterious departure of Jesus
to the wilderness, and she was oppressed with troubled forebodings.
From the day when she heard the angel’s announcement in the
home at Nazareth Mary had treasured every evidence that Jesus was
the Messiah. His sweet, unselfish life assured her that He could be
no other than the Sent of God. Yet there came to her also doubts
and disappointments, and she had longed for the time when His glory
should be revealed. Death had separated her from Joseph, who had
shared her knowledge of the mystery of the birth of Jesus. Now there
was no one to whom she could confide her hopes and fears. The past
two months had been very sorrowful. She had been parted from Jesus,
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