Believing

John 2:11 (ESV) This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding. There are many curious things about this miracle. What I find most interesting is how few there actually knew what happened. The way John tells it, only Jesus’ mother, disciples, and the servants asked to draw the water had any idea of the miracle that took place. Even the chief steward’s comments belie surprise at the excellent quality of the wine that far into the party but not the source of the wine.

Jesus’ miracles served three purposes: 1) They proved his Messiahship and the coming of the Kingdom of God, 2) They built faith in those who observed, and 3) They were a compassionate alleviation of people’s suffering. Of course, we should add a fourth that applies only for his resurrection: victory over death and Hell. It is hard to argue that 3) or 4) apply in the case of wine for a party (except the shame of the hosts). Yet, if 1) or 2) was the goal, wouldn’t it seem that Jesus would want as many possible to know a miracle had taken place? His ministry could have been launched with the bang that waited for the later, more public miracles, like the feeding of the five thousand or the numerous public healings at his hands. However, here at Cana only his disciples “believed in him” in response to the miracle.

Although the text does not tell us why Jesus only let the disciples and a few others know what was happening, John gives an interesting description for what took place: he “manifested his glory.” This was a phrase reserved for God alone in the Old Testament. This miracle showed Jesus’ disciples that he was more than a man. They would be challenged from all sides to support Jesus during his earthly ministry and after his ascension. They needed a secure faith.

Another interesting thing about this encounter is that the disciples (at least most of them) already believed in Jesus to an extent by the end of Chapter One (See John 1:41, 45, 49 & 50). Yet, John says they believed here. Jesus revealed his identity to a greater extent when his disciples were ready for it. Throughout his ministry, Jesus revealed more of his true self and his disciple’s faith grew.

The same is true for us. Believing in Jesus is not a onetime event, and faith does not come and grow in all people equally or in the same way. I pray Jesus reveals more of his glory to you today.