The Water Turned to Wine at the Wedding in Cana - John 2:1-11

It was the third day of the wedding celebration for our dear friends. Food and wine were shared, and everyone was getting to see friends and family who came far and wide to enjoy the festivities. With the couple dear to so many hearts, people chose to make the journey to the wedding, and the crowds came daily rather than return to work. It was a reprieve for everyone got away from their normal routines, and it caused a magnetism to the laughter and social fun.

Suddenly one of the hired servants came over to me as I was helping set out more food. “Mary, we are desperately low of wine, and it can’t be thinned out any further with water! What shall we do?”

Relieved that the servant didn’t go to the parents of the couple for it would be great shame for them, I anxiously dried my hands and sought out my wise son who at 30 years of age has shown much wisdom to all our issues. My husband, Joseph, passed years earlier, and Jesus was the one who helped guide our family with decisions. I just knew he would suggest the right thing to do! I motioned for the servant and another to follow me.

Finding him enjoying a good story surrounded by some new friends who were fishermen, I approached Jesus and said, “They have no more wine.”

“Dear Woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come,” Jesus replied.

Knowing Jesus’ heart and compassion for others, I did not worry that he wouldn’t care- for he did. I quickly told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby were six large stone jars that could contain 20-30 gallons each of water. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill those jars with water.” The servants quickly filled them to the brim. Then Jesus directed them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did as they were beckoned, and the master of the banquet sipped the water that was turned into wine. Immediately, the fine quality of liquid burst into fruity flavor shocking his tastebuds. He took the bridegroom aside and exclaimed,“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guest have had too much to drink, but you have saved the best till now!” Praise and honor were given to the bridegroom.

That day the disciples saw his glory revealed, and it increased their faith in him. It is a reminder for us all to seek out Jesus for the deliverance of our problems.

If we go to Him for guidance and wisdom, he will touch the issue and turn it into something better….water to wine. He may even give us honor that we didn’t even seek….for when we are touched by him, he does immeasurably more than we ask.

Likewise he can touch us making our lives of plain water turn to the Fruit of the Vine - fine wine getting better as we age in Christ.

---

Questions For Reflection:

Do we ever find we are frustrated or mad at God for allowing us to "endure a cup" of crisis or stress? Or, is our heart willing to be a servant used in all situations where God promises to turn water to wine if we seek His touch in it?

How does your character grow in bad situations: Do you grow annoyed and irritated? OR, do you grow depressed and anxious? OR do you spend more time seeking God with prayer and finding wisdom in the Word? Your choices develop your character.

Does a situation ever seem impossible for God to help in or do we go through life trusting God even with impossible circumstances?

Further Thoughts:

Can we too see the significance of the moment regarding Mary; it is the very last words out of her mouth directly.

“Do what he tells you.”

The Christian world should take heed to her last words…

“Do what he tells you to do.”

There should be no looking to Mary for our guidance.

Even now people venerate Mary and ask her for advice as they offer her prayers, this is not found as a directive in the Bible. What is found is that Jesus pleads for us..Jesus is our savior.

Hebrews 6:19

This is the certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtain of Heaven, where Christ has gone ahead to plead for us from his position as our High Priest.

Now regarding the wine:

Wine- is the process of correctly fermenting grapes that with age tastes better, but if the mother of vinegar is placed in it, it turns to vinegar and is sour.

Keeping Mary in mind as a role model is beneficial, but not as or with the center of our faith. Like wine- keeping the mother in it, will make faith go sour. The Bible state's there is no other mediator to God except Jesus.

1Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself as a ransom for all.

Little did Mary know that this event with wine would be the onset of his ministry. Interesting enough, dealing with wine was also present at the end of his Earthly ministry.

Sharing once again in scripture the value of parents, Jesus responds selflessly to his mother’s request with wine at the first gathering with his new disciples, and then on his last day of ministry, he responds to His Father requesting to drink the cup poured out to him in the midst of his disciples. I am sure there is more than one lesson hidden here. The obvious one is teaching his disciples the value of listening and loving our parents. The constant display of a humble life of servitude.

We also witness wine brought up in his last hours before crucifixion …

*at the last supper... take this cup of wine in remembrance of my blood poured out..

*then he mentions another remark at Last Supper - “the fruit of the vine will not touch his lips again until he is glorified and seated at the right hand of the Father.”

*at the cross he tastes but refuses to sip the sour wine-vinegar

The wine represents his blood-" life" a ransom for souls; then what about the sour wine during crucifixion? Could it be that it represents "his life with sin poured upon it" and lastly, in Heaven with His father a cup of the purest "wine tasted"- represents Jesus glorified in the greatest act of Love by Love. Interesting how wine was in the first miracle- multiplied for all the guests- and then mentioned after the cross in Heaven next to Father God over a completed pact or promise to man.

His lasts words before "It is finished!" were "I am thirsty". The "Living Water" as Jesus once called himself at that point was empty of His life - poured out and filled with our sins. God turned His face from "sin" and Jesus was forsaken as he descended into Hell without his Father. He was physically thirsty, yes and desiring to be filled with His Living Spirit of Life. A reminder of what he endured for us that day in conquering death and resurrecting to life.

Shouldn't we all be thirsty for the Living Spirit of Life? It is the only way to be raised up from your problems and saved!

photo by Pixabay.com

Psalm 63

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

---

Read the account as it is recorded in the Bible:

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A1-11&version=NIV