John 2:1-11

Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.  When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine left."  Jesus replied, "Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come."  His mother told the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it." 

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.  Jesus told the servants, "Fill the water jars with water." So they filled them up to the very top.  Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the head steward," and they did.  When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom  and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!"  Jesus did this as the first of his miraculous signs, in Cana of Galilee. In this way he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.  (NET)

What to make of this episode?

This passage sometimes comes up in wedding celebrations with the officiant saying some variation of, "And so we know the high value of marriage for Jesus attended the wedding at Cana."

But compared to some of the other miracles, this does seem a bit "mundane" as miracles go as it is meant to keep the party going!

But perhaps that is part of the point of this "sign."

Remember, the idea of signs is to point to who Jesus is or point to the Cross or both!

And so, indeed, through Jesus, through his mission on the earth, He brings us to the knowledge of God and we are drawn into a celebration.

So perhaps this sign points to celebration and its a big one with 120-180 gallons of wine and to top it off wine of good quality.

At another level, one wonders if the water to wine miracle points to the Cross in a symbolic way?

Jesus told us to remember whenever as a church family we break bread (Jesus body broken for us) and drink wine (Jesus blood shed for us) in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper (or eucharist or communion; name depending on the type of church one attends).

And so interestingly, the wine was made from water placed into pots used for "ceremonial washing."

If the ritual of the time was ceremonial washing of hands with water, how much greater a washing of our whole being from our sins through the blood of Christ on the Cross?

And so as a result of this sign, his disciples believed in Jesus.

Perhaps, at a superficial level, Jesus must be special as he performed a transmutation of water into wine.  But perhaps, they began to glimpse something more about the King who was ushering in the Kingdom of God?  Certainly, after the institution of the Lord's Supper at the Last Supper, the symbolism of this miracle could be more striking.

Lord, thank you that you have brought us into your family to be Children of God and into a grand celebration.  Thank you for the Cross which we remember with simple symbols of bread and wine.  You have cleansed me from sin with your blood.  May you continue to cleanse me by renewing my mind, strengthening my conscience and empowering my will to follow your ways.  Amen.