Turning Water into Wine!

October 22, 2020

The Wedding at Cana

2 The next day, there was a wedding celebration in Cana’s village in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After the wedding, he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, brothers, and disciples. -John 2:1-12 NLT

My favorite parable in the Bible, Jesus turns water into wine. The parable reminds me to rely on him regardless of your situation and how important it is to be with people. Jesus wants to be with the people that got married because he wants to bless them. He has his mission to save the world but chose to go to a wedding. That is saying a lot of Jesus and the importance of being around people. Think about times you turned down events. I’m thinking a lot here because I turned down so many that I can’t keep up. Sometimes these events are apart of the mission we serve to others. When Jesus turned water into wine, he knew he had to be there to make sure that this festival did not turn into a disaster when there was no more wine. I missed out on so many opportunities to be there when someone may need me and not know it.

Trust is an important task when we are following him. When Jesus told Mary, why you involve me? It is not my time yet, may seem challenging to understand, and that is the point. Jesus knows his time; we don’t. When we are praying, asking for things is one thing, but our timing is another. Jesus knows when it is time to act on items in our lives. The goal is to trust in him as we have faith and patience to allow him to work. Mary understands that her son is is more than a human; he is the Son of God. Mary also understands that she should submit to him when problems arise. It is the same for us. We believe we have the answers, but his ideas are and maybe completely different. Mary is an example to remind ourselves that we should submit to him instead of offering views that may not work for us.

There are 20 to 30 gallons of stone water jars used during ceremonial washing. In the Jews’ ceremonial law, symbolically, they became unclean when they touched everyday life objects. The Jews’ used these jars to clean themselves and wash any bad influences with items they previously felt.

The disciples believed when they saw Jesus’ miracle, turning water into wine. There are things that Jesus can do that we can’t do or get ourselves out of a situation. Only Jesus can do that, which is why the disciples believe. It is about the power he showed during what could have been a disastrous moment. Jesus showed how his ministry runs, helping others, speaking with authority, and being in touch with people. It does not matter the situation; deaf, blind, can’t walk, inadequate, or weak. Your faith has to be there for him to work.

Father, thank you for today. Turning water into wine is something we do not have the power to do, which is why we know you are real, and your ministry is powerful. I pray we will continue to be bold to turn people to you and be involved in everyday activities you place us in. In Jesus’ name. Amen.