1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Commentary: At the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ love is demonstrated through His willingness to step into a moment of need and quietly make a difference. When the wine runs out, Jesus doesn’t just let the moment pass. He takes the time to perform a miracle, providing not just enough, but the best wine. This act reflects His abundant love, always looking to go above and beyond to care for others. His response is not prompted by the magnitude of the need, but by His desire to show love and grace in small, everyday moments. Jesus’ love is practical, meeting needs with a generosity that points to His heart for His people.
Application: In your own life, look for moments where you can go above and beyond for others. Show love in the small things, even when no one asks for it. Jesus’ love was shown in His willingness to care for something as seemingly insignificant as a wedding party running out of wine. Look for ways to express care and generosity, whether large or small, in the lives of those around you.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Commentary: In the temple, Jesus’ love is shown in His zeal for purity and righteousness. When He sees the temple being used for profit rather than worship, He doesn’t just passively observe; He takes action. His passionate cleansing of the temple demonstrates that love does not simply tolerate injustice or corruption. Love, when fully expressed, has a zeal to protect what is holy and to correct wrongs. Jesus doesn’t just aim to show love by being gentle; sometimes love requires taking strong action to uphold God’s standards.
Application: Loving others sometimes requires confronting difficult situations. Don’t be afraid to speak up or take action when necessary to protect what is right. While love is often gentle, it can also be bold and firm when defending God’s truth. Reflect on how you can show love through both compassion and courage when things need to be corrected in your life or the lives of others.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Commentary: Jesus’ love is remarkable in that it remains untainted by bitterness, even when He knows the evil motives of others. Though many followed Him because of the signs He performed, with shallow or self-serving intentions, He continued to teach, heal, and help them. His knowledge of their hearts did not lead Him to withdraw or become resentful but instead fueled His mission to bring truth and salvation. This demonstrates the selfless nature of His love—giving and serving even when others’ motives are far from pure.
Application: Follow Jesus’ example by helping others without becoming bitter or cynical, even if you’re aware their motives may not be entirely genuine. Love selflessly by being friendly and sharing conversation, to speak life and impart truth, without expecting perfect intent in return. By doing so, you reflect the heart of Christ, who chose to give His love freely, even to those who didn’t deserve it.