Water into Wine

John 2:1-11

“1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”

Jesus’ first miracle was performed at a joyous occasion, a wedding. We have to assume that the people who were getting married were relatives or friends of Jesus.  Jesus’ mother, Mary, was there, and so were all of Jesus’ disciples.

The problem that Jesus resolved was a lack of wine at a celebration.  This was not a miracle of healing, the feeding of thousands in a deserted place, or the calming of a storm.  So why did Jesus do it? 

 Mary, His mother, asked Him to do it.

Running out of wine would have been a social disaster for the families involved with the wedding, and Mary wanted to help them.  She reached out to her son that she knew had within Him the power to help.

No, this miracle was not the healing of a blind man or a paralytic.  But I am sure it caused many to see the abundant power of God, and caused the Disciples to walk with Jesus in a way they never walked before.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)