The First Miracle of Christ

John 2:1–12 (NKJV)

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

John 2:1-12

Jesus now has been baptized by John, fasted forty days and been tempted–without sin–in the wilderness (according to the synoptic gospels), called His disciples, and completed all preparations for His public ministry. Here, Jesus, a simple attendant at a wedding ceremony and feast, is confronted by a simple, yet desperate social situation. The host has not supplied enough wine for the feast! Jesus’ mother, knowing His abilities and feeling compassion for the host, she mentioned the delima to Him. He either resisted or agreed with Mary. The original text is unclear and has multiple interpretations, but nevertheless Jesus and Mary were in agreement on the result. She told the servants to do whatever He said, and the brief process began.

There were pots placed nearby that were traditionally used to wash one’s hands before a meal. Six of them at twenty to thirty gallons each added up to 120 to 180 gallons total. They filled the pots at Jesus’ instruction and then took some of the wine to the host of the party. He was taken by surprise that the wine was of excellent quality, as it was time in the party that inferior wine would have been served. He did not realize that the Son of God had provided this wine, and it was of the highest quality! This is typical of Jesus’ work, always the best and most. He is God!

Man’s plans often succeed, but often fail as well. If you are in the midst of one of those embarrassing failures, it is time to call on God. If the mistake is of your own doing, you may have to walk through it for a moment, but He will walk with you. And He is the God of miracles, able to turn water into wine. Call on Him in your need and watch the great things He will do!

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