by Doy Moyer<\/p>\n
John records the miracle at Cana of Galilee, in which Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-12). Jesus, His disciples, and His mother attended a wedding feast. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother came to Him and said, “They have no wine<\/em>.” We don’t know exactly what she was expecting Jesus to do. Bear in mind that a wedding feast like this could take place over several days, and it would be a shame to run out of food and drink. Jesus answered her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.<\/em>“<\/p>\n Jesus’s response was neither disrespectful nor typical for a son to address his mother (the same term appears in John 19:26). This exchange may indicate that Jesus’s relationship with his mother was changing. Mary knew much about who Jesus was from birth, but she needed to realize that, though He was her son, she would need to become His disciple as well. Jesus’ plans were well-timed and not to be rushed. Here, He said, “My hour has not yet come<\/em>,” but John takes us through several events to the point where Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified<\/em>” (John 12:23). It was a process that must not be rushed. This miracle was a significant step in that direction.<\/p>\n Mary shows faith and tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you<\/em>.” Nearby were six stone water jars used for purification (stone was preferred over clay to prevent contamination). Jesus told the servants to fill the jars with water, then to draw out some of it to present to the master of the feast. Upon his tasting, he knew it was better than what had been served. The old was out; the new had come, and the new was far better. This is a major theme in John, and in this miracle, we see a convergence of several ideas:<\/p>\n First, this was a miracle of creation, a confirmation of John 1:1-5. What did not exist came into existence by His power. Mixing water with wine was common, but water does not naturally become wine.<\/p>\n Second, the use of purification objects is purposeful. Jesus came to cleanse and purify, so the appropriation of the stone jars was no accident. Because of His work, these jars would no longer be necessary. Jesus is the One who purifies.<\/p>\n Third, the context of a wedding feast is important. The bridegroom was ultimately responsible for the wine. While Jesus is not the literal bridegroom here, this wedding-and-bridegroom imagery is heightened in Jesus. Later, John the Immerser compared them: “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease<\/em>” (John 3:29-30). Jesus taught parables using the imagery of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:16-24). John, in Revelation, shows the importance of this idea as the church is the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2; cf. Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians 5:22-33).<\/p>\n Fourth, the turning of water into wine should be seen against the backdrop of messianic prophecies. This miracle demonstrated that Jesus provides overflowing blessings. Consider these passages in a context where the abundance of blessings, illustrated by flowing wine, is highlighted at the Messiah’s coming and fulfillment of restoration:<\/p>\n Jeremiah 31:12 indicates that God’s people would “come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more<\/em>.” Hosea 14:7 says, “They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.<\/em>” Amos 9:13-14 speaks to a time when “the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it<\/em>.” Then, His people “shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.<\/em>” This is beginning to sound like a return to paradise (cf. Revelation 2:7; 22:1-5).<\/p>\n The messianic context of these passages should help us see that turning water into wine was a way of showing that Jesus fulfills these blessings. The new wine is abundant, and the promised blessings come to fruition in Him. John states that this sign “manifested His glory<\/em>,” a statement that connects with John 1:14. He then reports that His disciples believed in Him, which aligns with the purpose of John’s gospel (John 20:30-31). Jesus fulfills the promises of blessings, and in doing so, reveals His glory, providing reason to believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God, so that we may have life in His name. Let us not be sidetracked by other matters here (e.g., modern alcohol use). This is about Jesus, messianic fulfillment, His glory, and our need for faith. Paradise is regained in Him.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Doy Moyer John records the miracle at Cana of Galilee, in which Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-12). Jesus, His disciples, and His mother attended a wedding feast. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother came to Him and said, “They have no wine.” We don’t know exactly what she was expecting Jesus…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[73,959,210],"class_list":["post-93713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-jesus","tag-john","tag-symbolism"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20682,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/did-marys-intercession-advance-the-hour-jesus-showed-he-was-the-messiah\/","url_meta":{"origin":93713,"position":0},"title":"Did Mary’s intercession advance the hour Jesus showed he was the Messiah?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 31, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Catholics say that according to John 2:1-11, the mother of Jesus not only interceded but thanks to her intercession, Jesus Christ advanced the hour to show (to manifest) his glory and He was the Messiah. Please address the following concerns: Is that true that thanks to Mary intercession, Jesus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20648,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/did-jesus-make-alcoholic-wine\/","url_meta":{"origin":93713,"position":1},"title":"Did Jesus Make Alcoholic Wine?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 3, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by Greg Gwin It is discouraging, even disgusting, to hear some brethren continue to use the same old, worn-out arguments to defend \u201csocial drinking.\u201d Is it not clear that their stubborn adherence to these discredited \u201cproofs\u201d is evidence of a rebellious heart? For what it\u2019s worth, let\u2019s cover one of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG014-300x197.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1670,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-wrong-with-drinking-so-long-as-it-is-done-in-moderation\/","url_meta":{"origin":93713,"position":2},"title":"What is wrong with drinking, so long as it is done in moderation?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 4, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: What's wrong with drinking, so long as it is done in moderation? After all Jesus turned water into wine in John 2. The disciples were accused of being drunk in Acts 2, so alcohol must have been in use. Older women were only told not to be given to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":68364,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/when-the-guests-are-drunk\/","url_meta":{"origin":93713,"position":3},"title":"When the Guests are Drunk?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton Does John 2:10 say and mean \"when the guests are drunk\" as the NET so renders, or does the verse have a different connotation? My Interlinear renders this \"have well drunk,\" which is a far different meaning than \"are drunk.\" The interlinear rendering means only that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16612,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-do-you-say-that-the-wine-at-the-marriage-feast-in-cana-was-grape-juice\/","url_meta":{"origin":93713,"position":4},"title":"Why do you say that the wine at the marriage feast in Cana was grape juice?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 14, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I read your web site. Why do you tell Christians that the wine at the marriage feast at Cana was grape juice? Read my book. You don't need to protect the Gospel from its own truth.\u00a0 The wine at the marriage feast at Cana contained alcohol and you cannot\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18280,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-fermented-grape-juice-wine-be-used-in-the-lords-supper\/","url_meta":{"origin":93713,"position":5},"title":"Can fermented grape juice (wine) be used in the Lord’s Supper?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 2, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Please answer me with biblical texts the following questions or doubts I have: Which kind of wine (intoxicating fermented wine or non-fermented wine) should be used during Lord's Supper celebration? Can we commit sin by using fermented or alcoholic wine during the Lord's Supper celebration? 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