John 2:1-11.
This is Jesus' first work. He steps into ministry after his wilderness experience. It's late Feb. or early Mar. a.d. 27, in Cana of Galilee. Funny, His ministry starts at a wedding, and it will end at the great wedding feast of the Lamb. This is Jesus' first miracle and it has a very specific, yet deep and mysterious meaning and application.
It was a cultural faux pas to run out of wine at a party you were hosting. This was probably a poor family that couldn't afford enough wine to last the evening. Jesus is going to take advantage of the opportunity to reveal His glory to His disciples, yet His time had not yet come for others until Israel finally receives Him as their King.
How can one say this bible is not relevant today? "Whatever He says to you, do it." Those are Mary's words. Friends, this is still commanded of us today. James reminds us to be not only hearers of the word, but doers also. Let us be obedient to Jesus, as His servants. And it is His servants that will be a part of witnessing and understanding His ongoing miracles. They followed Jesus' instructions and saw the water turn to wine. The master of the feast, symbolizing the nation of Israel, didn't get it. He noticed something was radically different from what he had known, but there was no awareness or revelation. But one day, when Israel accepts Jesus, they will get it. The disciples would never be the same.
Moses turned water into blood, a symbol of judgment and curse. Jesus ushered in an era of grace, turning water into wine, a symbol of joy and the Holy Spirit. The same miracle is still happening today. Water is referred to as the Word of God. We are to be filled with the Water/Word and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to change it into wine for ourselves and others. We are but beat up vessels and pots of water, proof that ceremonies, traditions, and the law can't save us. The law is good, but it is meant to point us to the Christ, the solution to our great need of a Savior.
So the setting includes Israel, a picture of the lost world, tasting the world's pleasures, but finding no personal satisfaction. The world's pleasures eventually run out. All who thirst are invited to come to Jesus for salvation and satisfaction. The human heart is a hard and empty vessel. It can look lovely on the outside, but Jesus knows the heart. When the heart is filled with the Word of God, Jesus can perform the miracle of salvation, bringing joy and the Holy Spirit. Salvation is the very first, beginning of miracles for the believer. This fact eludes to a truth that Jesus continues to perform miracles for me. Do I believe this? I would benefit from realizing His continued, active involvement in my life. He is not finished with me yet!
Some other practical points make this story culturally relevant today. Jesus continues to reveal His creative power. He wants to keep creating in you. If we will do our part to surrender, serve, fill ourselves with His word, He will do His part in miraculous creating. Don't count Him out! Also, He is very interested in every aspect of our lives. He is a Savior that can relate and associate with us in our common, daily activities. Bringing Him into the center of everything we do, He makes them sacred, and ennobles and heightens all of our earthly joys. He simply maximizes the potential of anything we enjoy or do on earth. Plus, He supplies our earthly deficiencies. We would be wise and considered courageous to make a habit to continually go to Jesus as our well, our source of provision for any of our resources, whether it be finances or faith. So many times we err by going to our own strength and resources or the world as our well. Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus is our source of light and life, and the bringer of joy.
