Episode 790
Exploring the Divine Abundance: Insights from the Wedding at Cana | 790
The narrative presented in this episode elucidates the profound themes of abundance, joy, and the subversion of traditional religious norms, as exemplified by the transformative miracle at the wedding in Cana. This account, drawn from the Gospel of John, serves as a pivotal reflection on the divine economy, which operates not on principles of scarcity but rather on those of boundless generosity. We delve into the significant role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, highlighting her pivotal influence and the often-overlooked aspects of feminine leadership within the faith tradition. Furthermore, we contemplate the implications of Jesus’ actions regarding ritual purity, prompting a critical examination of how religious customs may sometimes impede genuine human connection and celebration. We conclude with an actionable encouragement to embrace a mindset of abundance in our own lives, rather than succumbing to scarcity, thereby fostering community and joy.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
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Takeaways:
- In this episode, we explore the profound significance of the wedding at Cana, emphasizing the transformative nature of Jesus's first miracle as a reflection of divine abundance.
- We examine the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, highlighting her courage and determination, which catalyzed the miraculous transformation of water into wine.
- The podcast challenges listeners to reconsider their scarcity mindset, encouraging a shift towards recognizing and embracing the abundance present in our lives.
- We reflect on the implications of Jesus using ritual purification jars for his miracle, subverting traditional religious practices in favor of joy and community celebration.
- An actionable step is provided, urging individuals to identify areas in their lives where scarcity prevails, and to consciously choose abundance instead.
- We conclude with a prayer, asking for the courage to embody a mindset of abundance and to foster genuine connections within our communities.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgod daily.com
Transcript
Foreign hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is the podcast where we offer a fresh reading of the Bible, the New Testament, which comes from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C.
Speaker A:We're in the epiphany season right now.
Speaker A:We are on the second Sunday after Epiphany.
Speaker A:We read the Bible every day.
Speaker A:We read it in a way that is understandable by reading from the from the Message translation of the Bible.
Speaker A:The New Testament reading only relatable by offering you a couple of points to ponder and applicable by giving you an application point to do.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgod daily.com which is where you can find the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:We have a prayer and we do all of that in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A:Here is our Bible reading for the day.
Speaker A:It is from the Gospel of John, chapter 2, verses 1 through 11.
Speaker A:Reading from the message from water to wine three days later, there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee.
Speaker A:Jesus mother was there.
Speaker A:Jesus and his disciples were guests also.
Speaker A:When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus mot told him, they're just about out of wine.
Speaker A:And Jesus said, is that any of our business, mother?
Speaker A:Yours or mine?
Speaker A:This isn't my time.
Speaker A:Don't push me.
Speaker A:She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, whatever he tells you, do it.
Speaker A:Six stoneware pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washing.
Speaker A:Each held 20 to 30 gallons.
Speaker A:And Jesus ordered the servants fill the pots with water and they filled them to the brim.
Speaker A:Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host, Jesus said, and they did it.
Speaker A:When the host tasted the water that had become wine, he didn't know what had just happened.
Speaker A:But the servants of course knew.
Speaker A:He called out to the bridegroom, Everybody I know brings begins with the finest wines and after the guests have had their fill, brings in the cheap stuff.
Speaker A:But you've saved the best till now.
Speaker A:This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign.
Speaker A:Jesus gave the first glimpse of his glory and his disciples believed him.
Speaker A:Let's have a bit of reflection now about this scripture reading from John 2:1 11 about abundance and joy and holy disruption.
Speaker A:This is the story of the famous wedding at Cana, and we see through our lens as progressive Christians, things that might challenge some traditional interpretation and order.
Speaker A:It opens new ways of understanding this text.
Speaker A:Here's some points to ponder.
Speaker A:Divine Abundance versus A Scarcity Mindset this story fundamentally challenges a modern scarcity mindset.
Speaker A:In a world where we're told there's just not enough to go around, not enough resources, not enough care, not enough welcome.
Speaker A:Jesus demonstrates that divine abundance is not only possible, but it is present.
Speaker A:The transformation of water into wine wasn't just about the miracle itself.
Speaker A:It was about showing that God's economy operates on principles of abundance, not scarcity.
Speaker A:And notably, this abundance was shared with everyone present, not just a privileged few.
Speaker A:Another point Sacred feminine wisdom.
Speaker A:We're talking about Mary here.
Speaker A:Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Speaker A:And her role in the story is fascinating and it's often overlooked.
Speaker A:Despite Jesus initial resistance, it's Mary's wisdom and her persistence that catalyzes this first miracle.
Speaker A:And this highlights the often marginalized role of women in leadership in our faith traditions.
Speaker A:Mary didn't back down.
Speaker A:She knew what needed to happen and moved forward with a real sense of confidence, telling the servants, do whatever he tells you.
Speaker A:This is a powerful model of feminine leadership that doesn't require permission from anybody else.
Speaker A:One more point, a sense of subverting religious purity culture.
Speaker A:Jesus uses the ritual purification jars for his miracle.
Speaker A:Very interesting.
Speaker A:These vessels were designated for religious cleansing ceremonies.
Speaker A:And by transforming the contents and the wine for celebration, Jesus is making a radical statement about prioritizing human joy and community over rigid religious regulations.
Speaker A:This action challenges us to examine where we might be prioritizing religious rules over human flourishing and community celebration.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify an area in your life where you're operating from a mindset of scarcity.
Speaker A:And then perhaps with your time and resources and compassion, choose to act with abundance instead.
Speaker A:This might mean sharing something you've been holding on to, extending a welcome to someone who you've been hesitant to include or give yourself experience to the permission to experience joy without guilt, or to maybe provide some monetary assistance to someone who you think you may have lack in your life but provided anyhow.
Speaker A:Provided anyway.
Speaker A:Kind of like the service filling the jar, the jars to the rim.
Speaker A:Don't hold back.
Speaker A:Go all in with your commitment from a sense of abundance.
Speaker A:We'll pray in just a minute here, but just another reminder that we have a resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It makes Bible study really just that simple as ABC 1, 2, 3.
Speaker A:You need to check it out.
Speaker A:You go to voiceofgod daily.com that's our website.
Speaker A:That's where you'll find it.
Speaker A:Free.
Speaker A:It's for you.
Speaker A:And when you do that, you can get connected to a way to simply study the Bible.
Speaker A:You can find all kinds of resources at Voice of God daily, including including our back catalog of our of our episodes over 700.
Speaker A:We drop our episodes every day before 6am Eastern time.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:God, you are a divine source of joy and abundance.
Speaker A:We come to you as we are sometimes hesitant, sometimes holding back, sometimes afraid there won't be enough.
Speaker A:But help us to trust in your endless capacity for multiplication and transformation.
Speaker A:Give us Mary's courage to persist in doing what needs to be done even when faced with initial resistance.
Speaker A:Grant us the wisdom to recognize where we're clinging to empty religious customs at the expense of genuine human connection and celebration.
Speaker A:Help us to be agents of your abundant love in a world that that seeking hope and joy transform our scarcity mindset into an abundance mindset, our fear into courage and our hesitation into bold action in the spirit of celebration and community.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it's always a joy to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:I love it.
Speaker A:Hope that you do too.
Speaker A:Invite your friends to join us, will you?
Speaker A:We drop these episodes every day.
Speaker A:Every day.
Speaker A:Every day before 6:00am Eastern Time.
Speaker A:We hope you'll join us.
Speaker A:The website is voiceofgoddaily.com My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I'll be with you tomorrow.
Speaker A:Until then, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.
