When the Wine Failed

Bible Reading

John 2: 1-11

The mother of Jesus said to Him, " They have no wine." Jesus said to her, " Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come.".... Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water."

And they filled them to the brim . . . When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine. . .

he said . . ., "You have kept the good wine until now."

When Jesus was on earth, as it is today, a wedding was a wonderful day of joy and celebration. Among the many guests at the wedding in Cana were Jesus and his new disciples. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also there helping the other women with the meals and the entertainment. Everyone was enjoying themselves until Mary noticed the supply of wine was running dangerously low. It would be a disgrace for the family to run out of wine for their guests before the end of the celebration. Mary, seeking her Son's help, asked if He was able to help in any way.

When Jesus answers her as He does, He is stressing to her the old days, when she as His mother directed His doing, were coming to an end. Jesus had begun His public ministry beginning with His Baptism and now He is doing the work of His Heavenly Father. Mary was beginning to realize this, but Jesus words must have seemed to contain a promise, so she told the servants to do whatever Jesus might command.

Jesus commanded them to take six stone jars, which held about 20 gallons each, and fill them to the brim with water. After doing so, Jesus then directed them to take some of the water and give it to the toastmaster as a sample of what was going to be served next. Now, no one but the servants knew that what was in the stone jars was water, however when the toastmaster tasted this water now turned into wine, he commented on the fact that this was the best wine he had ever tasted.

This act is what we call a miracle, something we can not understand or explain by the ordinary laws of nature. But here in Cana, a divine power had acted and a miracle happened. This was to become the first of many such miracles performed by Jesus throughout the next three years. Though each of the miracles would be different, they all had one thing in common. They point to the fact that Jesus was God's Son who was acting on behalf of man and our salvation.

What was the result of this first miracle? For those at the wedding feast we are told their faith in Jesus was strengthened by this outward sign of Jesus' power and love. For us today we hear about this first miracle and we too should find our faith strengthened as well. This miracle of changing water into wine shows us Jesus did not frown upon our humble earthly celebrations. Rather, He takes it and, through His own presence, lifts it up using it to point toward a day when through Him all believers will celebrate the Great Wedding Feast in Heaven.

What joy it is to know that through faith Jesus is our guest at our weddings, birthdays, family dinners, and other special occasions. Blessing our time together here on earth with the sweetness of His love and the hope of future glory with Him and all believers in heaven.

Prayer

Help us, O Jesus, to believe in You as the true Son of God and the Savior of our Souls. May this, your first miracle, strengthen our faith today as we invite you to be a guest in our own homes. Bless us with your presence and your grace this day and in the days to come. Amen.