The next day, the wedding took place at the bride's home in Cana of Galilee. Jesus' mother immediately disappeared, seeing to the needs of the guests. Since we were with Jesus, we also were invited to enjoy the festivities. Jewish weddings were hardly secluded, private affairs.

The ceremony of marriage was intoned by the local rabbi, vows of fidelity and permanence taken, the announcement of "husband and wife," and the reception begun. Well into the celebration, it became evident that not enough wine had been planned. Or perhaps, since Jesus had brought along his entourage, more guests came than had been invited. In any case, this critical beverage was soon consumed. This was an inexcusable misjudgment that would almost certainly cause embarrassment for the bride's mother on her daughter's wedding day. Mary, deeply concerned over the crisis, spoke to Jesus, "The wine is gone. There is no more to be had and the celebration is far from over."

"Dearest mother," Jesus answered with a tolerant smile, "why do you tell me? Why involve me?" Indeed, what did Mary expect of her unusual son? Were there events in his past where precedents had been laid? Was there a history of reliance upon which she knew she could draw? He paused for a moment and looked at her carefully. She knew him. She knew he could not refuse her. At length he smiled and said, "I know what you want but remember, my time has not yet come." As I thought about this later, I wondered if Jesus knew exactly when his time would come.

His mother, a glint in her eye, said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." There was something unique between Jesus and his mother. They communicated at a level that often did not require words.

Nearby, stood six empty, fired-clay waist-high water jars, the kind used for ceremonial washing. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill those jars with water." After several trips to the well, the jars were filled to the brim. Then he told them, "Now pour some into a cup, take it to the head caterer to get his approval." As the servant drew the ladle from the jar, his mouth fell open, and gasping, he splashed red liquid onto the floor.

After a reassuring smile from Jesus, the stunned servants then followed his instructions and took a sample to the head caterer. Tasting the water that had been turned into wine, with no knowledge of its origins, the caterer called the bridegroom aside and said, "You are to be congratulated! At other weddings I do, the choice wine is served first and after the guests have had too much to know the difference, then it is watered down. But, dear Sir, you have saved the best till now! I must know where you purchased such excellent nectar!" The groom thanked the caterer and walked away, puzzled. Since he had no responsibility at all for furnishing the wedding with wine, he had no notion whatever of its origin. Assuming the jars were full, Jesus may have created nearly 150 gallons of wine, aged to perfection! Should all of it be consumed, this was going to be some celebration!

This, the first of his public miracles, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. In doing so, he revealed himself for who he was, and it was here that people first began to put their faith in him. Those who did became his followers.

Jesus left the wedding with his family and his friends and moved himself and his belongings down from the hill country of Nazareth to Capharnaum (Capernaum, the village of Nahum, the prophet) near the northwest shores of Galilee. They came to the home of Peter where they established a headquarters of sorts for their activities in the region of Galilee. Here surged a large spring that watered all of the plain of Gennesaret. As they arrived, Peter's wife, Joanna, (a name as common to women as "John" to men) returned from the spring carrying a jar of water. As yet, Joanna had not met Jesus personally. She knew only what her husband had told her. She could see that Simon was excited. "Joanna!" he exclaimed, "Set your water down. We have just come from Cana where our Lord performed a spectacular miracle." Then he turned to Jesus and gesturing toward the water said, "Here, Master, do it again."

Jesus smiled uncomfortably. "Simon!" rejoined Joanna, "Do not embarrass him. He is not a performer of tricks."

"It was not a trick, Joanna." And then to Jesus, "Lord, show her. Show her now." He looked at Jesus, his eyes gleaming with expectancy.

The others also gave appearance as though expecting Jesus to repeat his act at the wedding.

Instead, he turned to the dining table and sat down. "Indeed I am thirsty Peter. I wouldn't want to ruin that good spring water which Joanna has so kindly brought to us. Please, my friend, sit down and refresh yourself." Nonplussed, Peter sat while Joanna, Mary and the other women served. The water was cool and satisfying. Peter, feeling a bit foolish, spoke to Jesus privately, "Master, why will you not perform a miracle here in my own house?"

Jesus answered evenly, "I do not perform, Simon. It should be obvious to you that these things are not done for their entertainment value. They are done to fulfill a need and to give glory to the Father."

"But the wedding?" responded Peter, "There you gave us no teaching of the Father. What you did there was amazing. People will speak of it everywhere."

"You saw that as a performance?" with gathering irritation.

"Well, yes, after a sort."

"Then you have missed the point by a Roman mile," said Jesus, exasperated.

"What then is the point, Lord? Instruct me, please." Palpable sarcasm. The others had stopped conversation. All were listening to the dialogue between the two men. Peter pressed Jesus, forcing him to explain, demanding in his tone.

Jesus took another sip of water from his cup. His eyes looked off into space, seeing no one, seeing nothing. He spoke softly, as if to himself, "I thought this part of it was over." Nothing else.

"I am sorry, Lord." It was Peter again. "I do not understand. You thought what was over?"

"When first we met, you and John plied me with questions about my experience with the evil one on the mountain. Do you not remember what I said? Do you not remember that Satan wished me to do exactly the kind of thing you desire of me?" Peter's mouth went suddenly dry. He reached for his own cup. "I expect more of you, Peter. Do not disappoint the confidence I have in you." His gaze fixed Peter, "Do not ask this thing of me again."

Peter placed his cup on the table. "As you say, my Lord."

"You call me 'Lord.' Is this a mere word to you, my friend?"

"No, Lord." Peter now genuinely repentant.

"Then have a drink and refresh yourself." Jesus smiled. Peter laughed, a little more than embarrassed and reached for his cup.

"Yes" said Peter loudly, holding the cup above his head, "To good spring water!" and took a sip. His eyes widened in shock. He glanced into his cup, licked his lips and broke into a huge grin.

Jesus lay on his pallet gazing at the night through the window. A small section of cosmos fell away before him. Who was he? Why had he not so much as flinched with embarrassment at being called the 'Son of God?' How is he able to accomplish these miracles? These were not questions that truly disturbed him, for he knew the answers. Yet, they haunted him. The dove on his shoulder and the words from the clouds had taken away any doubt as to his identity or his mission. Whence come these ruminations, these feelings that I have lived before this life? How came I here to live among these who are so like me, yet so unlike me?

Occasionally the memories of being with the Father were so vivid that he actually thought he was caught up again into the Abode of God. There were flashbacks to certain events that took place, moments when his body, his mind, his heart surged with omnipotence, moments when his intelligence soared beyond anything human. His thoughts shifted. These three men, Peter, John and James - the sons of Zebedee . . . He considered each carefully. They are so imperfect, yet they have such capacity for belief in me, such obvious and simple love. These basic qualities, he decided, would be the signature of those who would be his. Belief and Love. That is all I shall require. Beyond these, the flesh is weak. His eyes closed. His face bathed in the light of a rising moon, the Son of God slept.