Water to Wine...It's more Than You Think!!!
John 2:1-12
The story of Jesus’ first recorded ‘miracle’ (which I don’t actually think it is - personally, I think that is when he stands toe-to-toe with the Priests and Pharisees in the Temple when he was 12 years old. But that is another post) - turning the water into wine, is perhaps one of the most well known stories.
There is more to the story than Jesus making some people happy at a wedding. This story highlights HIS humanity, the respect people already had of HIM, and the divine authority he held as the Son of God.
(artwork by Schism)
John 2:1-12 says…
Verses 1-2: “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.”
Sometimes when we read and think about Jesus - in our reverence for HIM and HIS ministry - we forget that HE was a normal person, wth a normal family. And just like our families, they attended social events - like weddings. It shows the humanity of Jesus, and how HE interacts with others.
What is interesting to note is that HIS disciples were also invited, which means that not only was Jesus’ family valued enough to be invited, but also HIS disciples. This also indicates that they were also known by the couple and the families conducting the wedding.
Personally, I think Jesus was an outgoing, social-butterfly type of personality - purely for the fact that HE loved people so much.
Cana was a town near Nazareth.
Verses 3-5: “When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
At first glance it seems as if Jesus’ mother is meddling. But the fact that she felt comfortable enough to discuss the issue with Jesus shows that she was well known to the families of the wedding and it was within her sphere of influence to be involved in such issues at such an important event.
Mary also knows of HIS special and divine nature. So she gently prods HIM into it.
Jesus seemed to be annoyed at HIS mother’s insistence. But Mary continues. It would be interesting to know if she had a prompting of the Holy Spirit or not. Irrespective of whether it was heavenly inspire intensions or the proddings of a proud mother whose son was a rabbi, and who was of God (Yahweh) - Jesus listened respectfully to HIS mother and acted upon her wishes.
Verses 6-10: “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”They did so, 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 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.”
The servants knew Jesus was someone to listen to. They could have questioned Mary and Jesus’ intention and actions, and gone to their master to ask for clarification. But they didn’t they obeyed straight away.
Perhaps that act of obedience is something that we need to consider when Jesus asks us to do something - we just do it without really questioning the ‘WHY’. Too often we try to work out the ‘WHY’ before we act.
The blessings of being obedient go beyond the immediate impact on our own lives. In this story, we see that everyone benefitted from the servants obedience to Jesus. It should be the same in our lives. That whatever blessings we ask for, God will give us, but only if they are in HIS will and they will show HIS glory to others.
Verses 11-12: “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. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.”
Sometimes having faith is one thing, but to have that faith strengthened by what we witness is another. This is exactly what happened with Jesus’ disciples. They had already come to believe that HE was the Messiah, which is why they were following with Him, and were engaging in events with HIM.
Their level of belief gets deeper in the face of seeing Jesus to something that is physically impossible. Little were they to know that this was just the first of these types of miracles.
After the wedding it says they went to Capernaum, which was one of the towns that Jesus often stayed in during HIS ministry. It is one of the major towns around the Sea of Galilee.
We see in these few verses that Jesus was a deeply complex person that interacted with people in a humble manner, and wanted to see them blessed - even in the smallest of ways. It is a story of divine miracles, of obedience, and of the love for people.