
I have to submit an assignment on biblical narrative.
I’m not allowed to write popular stories such as Noah’s ark, Daniel in the lion’s den, what else, five loaves and 2 fishes…
tough, Tough, TOUGH,
I surely need a miracle!
Anyway…
~~
I used to sulk because I hated what I was doing. See, all day long I just stood there in the courtyard with my mom and dad and my three siblings waiting to be filled up with water. The water was used to wash the dusty feet of guests before they entered the house of my master, Ilan. Master Ilan was a very generous person. He always made sure that we were completely filled so that when unexpected guests come, there would always be water to wash their tired feet.
I used to admire the sandals of the guests and wished that I could travel from place to place like them. But mom and dad always reminded me to be grateful for who I am, and to be a useful vessel for our master. They explained that the cleansing water in the courtyard was a sign of respect to visitors and to make them feel welcome. Understanding my purpose and responsibility, I began to appreciate my role and to enjoy what I was doing – a simple yet important task!

These past few days, my master’s house has been filled with people. Many, many guests and their children, babies, toddlers, teenagers all have come to celebrate the wedding of Jonathan, Master Ilan’s one and only son.
I watched the happy servants bringing in platter after platter of food, placing them onto the oversized dining table for the guests to eat; and jugs and jugs of wine for the guests to drink. Mom told us that this wedding celebration would be going on for seven days. Wow! Today is only the third day!
One of Master Ilan’s relatives, Jesus, also came with his new friends, to celebrate Jonathan’s wedding. I was glad to provide water to clean their dusty sandals and feet. According to what I heard, this Jesus is a God-fearing man who tells people about God and heaven wherever he goes.

While everyone was feasting and drinking gleefully at the banquet hall, and children playing joyfully with one another at the courtyard, I noticed a group of worried servants anxiously whispering to one another outside the banquet hall. I overheard them talking about the empty wine barrels. It looked like they are running out of wine.
I knew Master Ilan was a wealthy and generous person who always has a lot of food and drink to serve his guests. So I told myself, “Don’t worry, be happy, everything will be just fine”.
But my dad said if the guests found out there was no more wine, it would be very embarrassing, even disgraceful, for Master Ilan. After hearing that, my heart sank, for there was indeed no more wine for the guests!
Suddenly, I had an idea! I blurted out, “Why don’t the servants just serve water to the guests since it is such a hot day?” But daddy told me that wine symbolizes joy and happiness – and it is a must to have at a wedding celebration! Oh no…, what could we do? I know my master is rich and is capable of providing but this time he is helpless! “Lord, please help!” I prayed.

While everyone was panicking about the situation, I saw Jesus coming out from the banquet hall. He talked to the servants and directed them to fill us up, all six of us vessels. The servants were a bit apprehensive but they knew that Jesus was a godly and creative man, so they did exactly what He told them to do. They filled us with water, up to the brim.
I was puzzled about what all the water was going to be used for since the guests had already cleaned their feet. While lost in thoughts, I felt someone’s hand on my brim. I looked up and it was the hand of Jesus. He winked at me gently and then he looked up to the heavens and began to pray.

All of a sudden, I felt something bubbling in me, like a soda… then, I smelled something sweet and fragrant, like grape juice, on my whole body! What had happened, I gasped! Then, I heard Jesus telling the servants to ladle the fragrant drink from our vessels and pour them into the golden jugs, so they could start serving the wedding guests again. The servants were startled for they couldn’t believe their eyes. They were amazed to see that Jesus had turned water into wine right before their very eyes!
This Jesus was no ordinary man. He has done a supernatural thing — He is a miracle maker! He has revealed his glory by changing water into wine. Those who witnessed what he did that day declared that he was the Son of God. Many people, including his new friends whom they called disciples, and his cousin, Master Ilan, praised him and put their trust in him.
I was so excited because Jesus had performed a miracle. He had answered my prayer. He had saved my Master Ilan from disgrace for he had miraculously changed the water into wine.
And… the wedding party continued!

It has been close to 2000 years since Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana, and word about his miracles and power to transform lives continue to spread throughout the world.

taken at Cana
Though I can’t be like the dusty sandals, traveling from place to place, I am so grateful to be just where I am — An ordinary water vessel still serving in my master’s family courtyard. Now my task is to retell the first miracle that Jesus performed, that which I have witnessed, to the hundreds and hundreds of tourists who come by every day from all over the world to visit Cana. I pray and hope that through listening to me telling about the miraculous power of Jesus, many will continue to praise Him and put their hope in Him.

taken at Cana


According to tradition, below is the kind of stone water container used; picture taken by a friend who just came back from Israel.

real water jar in Cana
Biblical narrative was taken from John 2:1-11

Wall mural illustrated by our Sunday School teaching team.
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