NEW WINE WITH JESUS. ABRIDGED.
John 2:1-11.
“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there”” (John 2:1).
It was “the third day” after Jesus’ conversation with Nathanael, which is recorded at the end of the previous chapter. Nathanael was, incidentally, ‘of Cana in Galilee’ (cf. John 21:2). “The mother of Jesus” seems to have been involved with the arrangements of this feast, since she later so readily gave instructions to the servants (John 2:5).
1. Jesus Was Called to a Marriage (John 2:2-5).
It is important for a couple to call upon the name of Jesus on their wedding day, but also throughout their married life. The disciples of Jesus were also called to the feast (John 2:2). The mother of Jesus was already present, and she approached Jesus with a dilemma.
Sometimes the celebrations could go on for as long as a week, but it reflected badly on the bridegroom if the wine ran out. Mary’s request consisted in a mere statement of the facts as she saw them: “They have no wine” (John 2:3). Prayer should be like this, laying out our needs rather than our demands. This is true intercession.
The response of Jesus to His mother may at first seem quite shocking, but “Woman” (John 2:4a) was not so much a term of reproach as a term of endearment. It was echoed in a tender moment in the midst of the anguish of the Cross (cf. “Woman behold thy son,” in John 19:26-27).
At first Jesus delayed in His answer to this prayer, for His “hour” of self-offering was “not yet come” (John 2:4b). Mary, however, gave expression to her faith by instructing the servants to “do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5) - an exhortation we would all do well to heed.
2. The Best Wine Last (John 2:6-10).
The stone jars so ready to hand (John 2:6) were usually used for ceremonial cleansing in accordance with the tradition of the elders (cf. Mark 7:3). These things were about to pass away. Purification by water was all very well, but Jesus was soon to usher in a more thorough cleansing through His own blood shed upon the Cross.
It must have seemed strange to the servants to be told to fill the jars with water, draw out, and bear it to the master-of-ceremonies (John 2:7-8). Sometimes the answers to our prayers, miraculous or otherwise, come by means of clear-cut commands. Don’t expect answered prayer if you are not willing to obey!
The first indication of the transformation was when the servants obediently bore the water-made-wine to the governor of the feast (John 2:9-10). We can understand the sign when we realise that in Christ we have a new covenant, a more perfect sacrifice, the prospect of the passing of old things and the ushering in of new. The best wine was kept to the last: the law was fulfilled in Jesus (cf. Matthew 5:17).
Miracles, or “signs,” are not an end in themselves, but do demand a response. It is on account of the consequent manifestation of Jesus’ glory that the disciples were willing to put their trust in Him (John 2:11). We must do likewise.
