The Good Wine

There was a wedding in Cana…

a really big wedding.

Several large waterpots were needed

to fulfill the Jewish ceremony of purification;

“Now there were six stone waterpots set there

for the Jewish custom of purification,

containing twenty or thirty gallons each.”

~John 2:6

Let’s see…

That would be about 120 to 180 gallons.

Water was to be poured over the hands

of each person present at the celebration

signifying cleansing

from defilement encountered throughout daily life.

“Jesus said to them (the servants),

‘Fill the waterpots with water.’ 

So they filled them up to the brim.” 

~John 2:7

…and He turned the water,

all 180 gallons of it,

into wine.

Mary and the servants were the only ones

who were aware of this miraculous transformation.

Why did Jesus change the water into wine?

When the original supply of wine ran out,

Jesus’ mother brought it to His attention.

After all, it was of the utmost importance

to protect the host of the wedding

from embarrassment.

But why would Jesus think

that they would need

180 gallons of wine?

Isn’t that a bit excessive

even for a big wedding?

“And Jesus said to her,

“Woman, what does that have to do with us?

My hour has not yet come.’”

~John 2:4

Could it be that the miracle had

nothing

to do with honoring the host?

...or compensating for a failed family obligation?

…or stepping in to help someone save face?

…or meeting a social obligation?

…or valuing the expectation of celebration merriment?

…or even thinking that people would become thirsty?

Could it be that the miracle had

everything

to do with cleansing?

The headwaiter,

perhaps without even realizing

the significance of his words,

acknowledged the truth

which was displayed

in the fruition of this miracle…

“…Every man serves the good wine first,

And when the people have drunk freely,

Then he serves the poorer wine;

But you have kept the good wine until now.”

~John 2:10

The good wine replaced the water

intended to demonstrate our purification,

our cleansing,

our decontamination,

our refinement

through His blood that would,

in three short years,

be shed on the cross.

The Good Wine…

filling every empty vessel

to the brim

with exceedingly more than enough

for all who are thirsty.

The Good Wine…

the extraordinary provision

enabling us to join in the magnificent wedding celebration

as the Lord of Glory comes for His bride.

“This beginning of His signs

Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,

and manifested His glory,

and His disciples believed in Him.” 

~John 2:11

“In the same way (giving thanks)

He took the cup after supper, saying,

‘This cup

is the new covenant in My blood;

do this,

as often as you drink it,

in remembrance of Me.’” 

~I Corinthians 11:25