Another Glass of Wine?

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. (John 2:1-9)

Most people know the scripture in which Jesus performs his first miracle. But few understand what this scripture contains. When we examine this piece of scripture, we find some fascinating things.

First, we should never look at it, as John puts it, as mere signs. Jesus performed miracles to display God’s glory. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus used six stone jars of water to turn into wine. We must remember that an Eastern wedding, at this time, was a community gathering lasting days. So, while some may question this, the sheer volume of wine should be a non-issue. What is essential is why Jesus chose the six stone jars.

The Jews used these jars for ceremonial cleansing, which is the key. The time of Christ was the time of the law, the temple, and sacrifices. People would wash their hands to cleanse themselves before eating or at a time when they were religiously or ritually soiled. This cleansing made them physically and ritually clean. The Jews completed hundreds of ritual cleansings in those jars, yet Jesus chose these filthy, dirty vessels to display his miracle. Using these dirty jars was an underlying way for Jesus to put forth His power to take filthy dirty vessels and make them clean, clean enough from which to serve wine at a wedding, a covenant of God, much like He changes a filthy dirty sinner into a child of God. This miracle was undoubtedly John’s way of telling us that Jesus was signifying the end of the ceremonial rituals of the Old Testament and the emergence of His own redemptive power as the Son of God. He said that His blood was the blood of the new covenant.

We also see that Jesus used wine as His first miracle. Throughout the Old Testament, wine was a symbol of blood. Jesus refers to this at the last supper. Matthew wrote, “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27). The wine represented the blood of Christ that would be spilled for you and me so that we may be redeemed through our Savior.

We also see another example of Jesus surpassing Moses, who was the greatest prophet in the eyes of the Israelites. Moses drew water from the rock, giving the Israelites life in the desert. However, in his anger, the same act of life-giving water, he sinned against God and would never enter the promised land. Jesus brought wine from stone jars, the new covenant’s blood. Moses brought forth the law; through this blood, Jesus brought forth grace. Jesus was the water that brought forth life. Unlike the life-giving water Moses brought forth in the desert, the life-giving water Jesus gives offers everlasting life.

There are other things we can see, which are symbols. This passage starts with “on the third day.” This number three was significant because three is an important biblical number. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days. Jesus spoke of this as a symbol for Himself. We read this in Luke 11:30, "For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation." Here it represents a similar meaning on the third day Jesus brings forth the representation of blood in wine.

There were six stone jars. In the Bible, six is an imperfect number. Six represents man, and like a man is imperfect. Seven is the perfect number of God; in Revelation, we see seven lampstands representing the seven churches of East Asia. We also see Christ with seven stars in his hand, the seven angels of the seven churches. So, changing water into wine and water into the sanctifying blood of Christ is not only a miracle for the wedding party but a giant metaphor for Christ as Savior. Taking the content of six and perfecting it like seven.

This miracle, while at first glance, is an amazing wedding present, it is also a representation of how Jesus transforms the rituals and ceremonial works of the law in the Gospel of Grace and Mercies.

I love the Bible; there is always more than meets the eye. Here in this miracle, we are reminded of the eternal life-giving properties of the blood of our Savior. Blood spilled through beating and torture so we may be saved and rejoined in a loving relationship with God.

Do you know Him, Jesus, do you? If you don’t reach out to us at In Messiah. We will help you to know your Savior Jesus. He is there, and if you are wondering about Him, He loves you more than you can ever know. Seek Him, please, seek Him.

Peace and Grace!