The Wedding at Cana: Purification Water Turned to Wine
1The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,2and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.3The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
4“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.7Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled,8he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
9When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.10“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
11This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.
There is a lot of symbolism here, at least in my opinion. The stone jars were used in religious ceremonies. Jesus filled these special jars with wine. Later, at the last supper, the wine would become a symbol of his blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. It seems to me this was a way of saying, “I’m changing your ceremonies and symbols forever with true sacrefice and true life”.
I think it is also interesting that he was willing to use the sacred jars to serve the needs of the people he was with. We don’t exist to serve objects and ceremonies. Ceremonies and symbols exist to help us in our lives and relationship with God. Don’t make the ceremony more important than God and your relationship with God. Ceremonies are useful, but we must keep them in perspective. I am reminded of Hosea 6:6 “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Lord, just as you filled the jars with new wine, fill me with new life. Let me live by your death and resurrection. Help me to truly make a difference in people’s live with your love. *obbs*
