That You May Know - Pt 2

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:1-5 ESV). Today we begin with Jesus’ first recorded miracle. While attending a marriage feast in Cana Jesus turned water into wine. There are several important revelations that are rooted in this miracle. First, and foremost, it was a declaration that Jesus is the source of life. Changing the water to wine offered a symbol of the new spiritual life Jesus brings from the old man in the new birth (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17). Many people make a mistake here; they want to improve themselves into being worthy of God before they accept Christ. In reality, it's in accepting Jesus as Savior that God counts us worthy of entering his presence (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus turned water into wine because changing one element into another symbolized marriage. It brings new life out of old; first, as the distinctive relationship between two adults; then, eventually in the children who are at once like, yet different from the parents. The miracle particularly represented Israel's relationship with God. He betrothed her to Himself in Egypt, married her to Himself at Sinai and repeatedly called her to be a faithful spiritual spouse. When she proved endlessly faithless, He called her a spiritual harlot. Finally, God divorced His corrupt bride by sending her into exile. Ezekiel's brilliant allegory is but one of many references to that relationship 16:1-63. There is so much in this first miracle; however, my practice is brevity in these devotionals. So, let me mention just two principles: First, this is a direct challenge from Jesus of the premise that the old covenant had the necessary resources to meet Israel’s (or anyone’s) spiritual needs. Jesus didn't have to reference the stone pots to perform the miracle. Since they were used for ceremonial washing of people and utensils, Jesus had them filled to prove that He fulfilled and overfilled ceremonial cleansing; then had the servants draw water turned into wine from the well to illustrate that God's new life came from a different source. That is certainly Good News to all of us! Second, Jesus turned water into wine to prove His real nature to the disciples. The ultimate purpose of the miracle was to reveal His Glory, with the result being faith in Him. It's interesting that Jesus had no interest in recruiting the members of the wedding party, or the steward of the feast. Even though the servants knew the provenance of the wine, Jesus didn't perform the miracle to convince them. His only interest was to reveal his true, inner being to six men. The sign achieved its purpose, for His disciples believed in Him. Even then He was being the Good Shepherd who saw the one missing sheep and left the ninety-nine to find it. That is Good News for us as well. We are all that one lost sheep! As you continue through the day, ponder the incredible love and grace God shows us in Jesus through this simple creative act. This is what He wants us to know!