Scripture:'Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.' (Letter to the Hebrews 2:14-18)Reflection‘He’ is of course Jesus; born as a human baby, brought up in a human family. This week Christians celebrate Candlemas, also called The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. At six weeks of age Jesus’ parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem to be blessed. Here he encountered two elderly members of his faith, Simeon and Anna, who both saw in him the long-awaited Saviour. But how does he save? By freeing us from the fear of death, as he has conquered ‘the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil’. And also by coming alongside us when we are suffering; ‘Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.’ With Jesus by our side, we need not fear either death, evil or suffering. He has been there before us and we can turn to him with confidence. Revd Ylva
ScriptureHis mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:5-9&11)ReflectionThe season of Epiphany that we are in now is about the manifestation, the revealing of whom Jesus is; that he is the “Son of Man”. It started with the encounter between the Magi and Mary, Joseph and Jesus; the Magi paying him homage and presenting their precious gifts. Last week, the set reading was about “the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man”….Jesus being the connection between heaven and earth. Today is the account of Jesus’ first miracle – turning water into wine. And not just any wine, the very, very best wine; and in such extravagant abundance too!As happy as that would have made that wedding party that Jesus went too, that is not really the point of the event. This is about Jesus turning the ordinary into something extraordinary; about him being extravagant in his blessing – if we would but accept him and have a relationship with him. He can turn our ordinary lives into extraordinary lives. Perhaps we too should take Mary’s advice: “Do whatever he tells you.”Revd David
