Q1. Time for Friends

[Daniel R]

1. Why are we sometimes "too busy" to spend time with friends and relatives?

I think this boils down to our own laziness and selfishness. Sometimes, we would rather do what we want instead of having a bonding time with friends and family.

What does Jesus' attendance at his wedding tell us about Him?

It shows us the importance of keeping strong bonds with family and friends. Jesus could have certainly done something else yet He decided to celebrate a huge deal in His friend's or relative's life.

How can we apply that learning n our own personal lives?

We too should realize the importance of friends and family and we should be there for whoever it may be in all moments, happy or sad.

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Irmela]

Q1. (John 2:1-2) Why are we sometimes "too busy" to spend time with friends and relatives?

It is often money (shortfall) and distance that keeps us apart physically. 

Texting messages or phoning helps. When it eventually just comes from your side, the connection eventually becomes less and less and then stops. 

It can also be just simply feeling one is in the way (super-sensitive disposition). 

What does Jesus' attendance at this wedding tell us about him?

He is not against having a celebration with family and friends. He in fact took time to share in this joyous occasion. 

How can we apply that learning in our own personal lives?

Take time in whichever way that is feasible and be with family and friends. 

[Krissi]

This must have been an amazing wedding, even by the local standards of that time -- over many days, copious food and drink, a long guest list ...

Don't you wonder why Jesus was invited, particularly with his disciples? He wasn't from Cana (He was from Nazareth and originally Bethlehem) and hadn't been "home" regularly because He was a traveling teacher/prophet. The disciples were not from Cana either, as far as I know. I doubt the to-be married couple had even met Jesus' disciples, though they probably had heard of Jesus' parents who had been long-time residents in that general area.

Furthermore, Jesus wasn't wealthy or well-known so there was no reputational boost to be gained from inviting Him or his dusty, proletariat disciples.

Thus, I don't know what Jesus' attendance at this wedding means. His mum may have roped Him into it out of her own sense of social duty; He may have known the couple well and genuinely wanted to celebrate; He may have felt the nudge of God to go to this wedding and perform a miracle.  

--

Most of the time, we're not "too busy" to be with others, but simply don't feel it is important enough to do  ... or we're avoiding contact. "Busyness" is an excuse not an explanation.

I'm not sure what lesson I'm supposed to be applying here. It's a fascinating story: Jesus' mum was worried about the reputation/honor of the couple who had run out of wine, so much so that she got her Son to "take care of the problem;" Jesus Himself used the occasion to perform His first great miracle; the disciples must have been amazed at what happened, subsequently thinking of Jesus as a miracle-worker; a marriage ceremony was salvaged; people were entertained;  social customs persisted ...

Perhaps some narratives in the Bible are recorded so later readers can understand Jesus and His times a bit better, not for direct application to our contemporary lives.