The First Miracle and the Servants

Thank you, Deacon Diana Shirley, for pointing out that the people who witnessed Jesus' first miracle were servants. The gospel reading several Sundays ago was John  2, the wedding at Cana. I never noticed that Jesus changed water into wine in front of the servants, not in front of the host, or the steward, or the guests. Servants not only got the front row seat, they participated in the miracle.

Jesus could have done the deed in front of the guests. He could have had a crowd. That would have been the way to make a statement, to make sure that a large crowd witnessed the deed.

Jesus could have brought the host into the kitchen to impress him or to beholden him. "Hey, I see that you're running out of wine. Could be embarrassing. I can fix that for you, if you'd like."

Jesus could have let the chief steward in on the miracle. "I bet this party has been a logistical nightmare with planning for this crowd. Guess you underestimated how much wine you needed.  Could be bad for you. I'd hate to see you lose your job over this. Let me  help you out. Bring me some water."

No. Jesus didn't "perform" a miracle to impress those who most of us mortals want to impress--the "important" people, the crowd, or the ones whose station or job we covet. No, Jesus did the miracle in front of the servants. In fact, he included them in the miracle. They brought the water.

What was the effect on those servants? What did they experience? Amazement Awe? Gratitude for the gift of this moment? Were they inspired to take pride in their work and encouraged to do their best, even as servants? I'd like to think that they lifted their heads a little higher that day. Jesus had affirmed them. They were worthy.

Seems to me the setting and witnesses of this miracle foreshadow the lessons we hear later from Jesus: give without pomp, pray in private, do one's work quietly and without expectation of reward or acknowledgement. Jesus turns water into wine in the scullery, in the back of the kitchen while the bridal party and guests laugh and celebrate. It's a lightning bolt that shatters the old growth tree, that ignites the barn, and destroys the old ways. Here is humility at work. Mercy for the least. Jesus' actions saying, "It is for you that I am here, for you who struggle, who are ignored, who work while others enjoy leisure and comfort. You are blessed."