The Message of John (Lesson 7)
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"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."
–John 2:11
Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana is the first miracle in John's gospel.
The story begins with a wedding in Cana, a small village in Galilee. Jesus, His mother, and His disciples were also invited to the wedding. At the wedding, the wine runs out, and Jesus' mother, Mary, tells Jesus about the problem. Jesus responds by telling her that his "hour" has not yet come. But Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do.
In John's gospel, the concept of Jesus' "hour" is important. The Father sent him with one mission: to be the sin substitute for his people. He would accomplish this through suffering the judgment our sins deserve through his execution on a cross, an act that would ratify the new covenant with his blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
But he wasn't guilty. We were. Yet he suffered the penalty we deserved.
As the story at the wedding progresses, Jesus then tells the servants to fill six stone water jars with water and draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. The servants do as Jesus tells them, and when the master of the banquet tastes the water that has been turned into wine, he is amazed. He calls the bridegroom and tells him that usually, the best wine is served first, and then, when the guests have had enough to drink, the poorer quality wine is served. But in this case, the best wine was saved for last.
In verse 11, we read,
"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."
Turning grapes into wine takes a long time. But turning water into wine is humanly impossible.
The miracle Jesus performs in Cana reveals that Jesus is no ordinary man. He's not even merely a great prophet. He possesses the supernatural power and authority of God.
In fact, Jesus is God in the flesh.
With his "hour" on his mind at a wedding, we can only imagine that he is thinking about his own wedding, described in Scripture as "the wedding feast of the Lamb," when Jesus, as the sacrificial lamb of God for our sins, returns after his resurrection to celebrate with exuberant joy with those whom he has saved.
This wedding feast, which is described in the book of Revelation 19:7-8, says,
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) And the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'"
Discussion Questions
What would you have thought if you'd been one of those who filled the jars with water and then saw wine poured out?
How did the miracle of turning water into wine reveal Jesus' true identity?
How does the concept of Jesus’ “hour” reveal what was on his mind at the wedding in Cana?
How might the miracle of new wine describe what is able to happen in the lives of Jesus’ disciples?
Why do you think the miracle in Cana inspired faith in his disciples? How can do the same for us?
A Suggested Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, for suffering the penalty we deserved, and for offering us the gift of salvation. As we consider your miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, help us remember that our greatest hope is to one day celebrate with joy in your presence at the great wedding feast of the Lamb. Until then, may your Spirit continue to transform us by your grace and for your glory.
In your name, we pray, Amen.