John 2:1-12 | What is a lesson for the original audience?

I may have gotten ahead of myself on the last devotion with what the lesson is for the original audience. Simply put, it is that Jesus is better. But there are so many lessons to grab from this particular text, even for the original audience.

The first that stands out clearly is that of faith. Where did this miracle begin from? It began from a place of need where Mary approached Jesus concerning it and trusted that Jesus would take care of it. This is an incredible example for anyone and this behavior is modeled by the disciples throughout all four Gospel accounts.

We also see a lesson of obedience. Not only did Mary have faith and instruct the servants to listen to Him, but the servants actually did listen to what Jesus had commanded. Some might argue that it was their duty to obey as they were servants. Are we not also servants of God? Ought we not also see that Jesus is our Master and we should obey Him? Look at what Jesus had done through those that obeyed His voice. We would do well to heed that lesson.

One lesson that is something of an undertone for the original audience that we can miss is how Jesus dealt with the shame of this couple. If you ran out of wine at your wedding feast, you are the talk of the town for years to come. It was detrimental to their image and it was a horribly shameful thing to do. When Mary brought this to Jesus' attention, He did not impose the shame upon the couple. He did not spread the matter through gossip. He sought to cover their shame and honor them. He ritually cleansed them and gave a fullness of that. Notice how the waterpots are said to have been filled to the brim. Jesus was not slack concerning what He gave. He supplied them for more than enough. They were essentially overflowing with what Jesus supplied. Such is the work of Him in the believer. Consider the following texts:

29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
-John 3:29

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
-John 1:14

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
-John 1:16

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
-John 15:11

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
-John 10:10

24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
-John 16:24

13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
-John 17:13

Is it not the desire of Jesus to give us the fullness of what He offers? You see, the first two lessons are what leads us into the third lesson. Faith leads to obedience. And through faith and obedience, we will see the working of Jesus in His fullness.

What lessons are you seeing?