Purified by Wine

In the Gospel of John, John begins with how “the Word became flesh” embodying the testimony of the Old Testament Word coming to fruition by the man and Godhood of Jesus Christ. In chapter 1, John routes us through Jesus’ calling, the calling of His first disciples, and in chapter two, His first miracle: 

John 2:1-11 ESV: On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with His disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.

Jesus has just begun his ministry and it has been gaining momentum: Day 1 with His calling by John the Baptist, Day 2 with His disciples’ calling (Peter, James, etc.), and, now, on Day 3 with His first miracle. 

What’s interesting about this is it appears to be a pretty non-spiritual issue: a wedding that suddenly has run out of wine. Oh no, a party without the buzz. And Jesus actually speaks into this in response to His mother, Mary’s, acknowledgement, “What has this to do with me?” And yet, Mary knows to petition Him for response. That even as it may be trite, Jesus is still the only one who can provide. And so we see Him do so. 

Jesus doesn’t go to the jugs that the previous wine was in, rather, conveniently available to Him are 6 large empty jugs from previous use for Jewish rites of purification. These jugs had been used to wash and clean the Jewish people in order to present their sacrifices before the Lord. Jesus has the servants fill each of these with water and take it to the master of feast. 

The master of feast is significant to this story as he is the one who is in charge to make sure the party goes according to plan. Really, he should be the one concerned with this matter. Yet, Jesus didn’t divert people to go to Himself nor did He usurp the responsibility, rather He worked within the realm He was asked to and provided what was needed in a dignified manner. There was no embarrassment or humiliation, rather it became a moment of beautiful declaration among the entire feast- this wine was better than the first. And the only ones who knew its origins were the servants. Jesus didn’t come in and change the whole wedding experience or what was supposed to happen or who was in charge, rather He provided for the fulfillment of the needs and in that fulfillment it was declared as better than before. And this is where we suddenly see the spiritual connection, where it wasn’t just for more wine for a wedding feast that He stepped in, rather Heaven met Earth and we see the foreshadowing of Jesus’ greater calling. 

In communion, the wine represents the blood of Jesus. Jesus would become the ultimate sacrifice for our behalf, it is by Him that we are able to be purified and approach the throne of God. And in a perfect display of that mission, we see Him take man’s empty jars, meant to hold water that symbolically purifies, to be replaced by His fulfillment: wine which was provided by our Savior, God Himself, which would symbolize His sacrifice and atonement of mankind’s sin (both for Old Testament Jews and New Testament believers - Hebrews 10). And this is where we see the show stopping, countercultural moment: Jesus did not destroy the wedding feast, but enhanced it. The wine originally provided wasn't bad, but rather, was the bridegroom's best; just as the Old Testament rituals were not bad, but rather were man's best. Jesus, however, offered a new wine (God's best) and was the fruition and continuation of the feast and fulfillment of the Law. And Jesus didn’t come to only provide wine for the bridegroom or those who were “important” but it was the servants who were the spectators of the miracle, and the guests who benefited. He saved the best wine for last, and the bridegroom was able to be glorified and the guests were enriched. In Christ’s abundant generosity, He did not provide cheap wine at the end for the drunkards to indulge, but rather freely offered it to all the guests after three days. Exactly as His sacrifice and resurrection was not only for the Jews, but has been extended to all people who would believe in Him.

Even as Jesus declared “My hour has not yet come,” He still quickened the miraculous at Mary's request. What a beautiful display of His (and the Father’s) heart for His people- that He is willing to expedite and bless His plans for our sake, revealing purposes far greater than we can imagine. And it’s in this nature, the very character and heart of Jesus for his people, that we see glory manifested and, like the disciples in verse 11, are compelled to belief in Him. Hallelujah! Oh what a Savior.

The setting of Cana is also meaningful. "Cana" means "place of reeds," a phrase seen twice in the Old Testament. In Exodus 2:3, Moses was hidden among the reeds. In Exodus 30:22–25, reeds (calamus) are part of the anointing oil. In Cana, hidden before the eyes of the Jews, Jesus—Messiah—reveals Himself. Here, He anoints His ministry and people with a new covenant and purification through Himself.

How does this apply to us?

• What is your relationship with Jesus? Have you accepted Him as your Savior? If not, ask Him to forgive your sins and declare Him Lord of your life.

• Are you expecting a miracle by chaos? Jesus doesn't create chaos, but rather, as we ask Him to step into our "ordinary" needs, we break open an opportunity for a miracle. Ask Him to reveal where He needs to be invited and let Him work the spiritual through your everyday walk.

• Is there something in your life where you’re waiting for breakthrough? Maybe there's a hidden area that you're waiting for the Lord to work in? Ask Jesus to take it. Invite Him to quicken His will and manifest His glory in it. His heart is for you and He's willing to bear and work in anything that you would ask Him.

• Are you empty in any area? Are you going through motions of obedience but in need of a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit? Sometimes we are stuck in our best (expectations, acts of obedience, etc.) and really we need the Lord's. Ask Jesus to pour out His new wine, His anointing, and fill you with celebration and joy over His work in your life. Ask to be His servant and participate in His work.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your divine work, Your manifested glory, and Your fulfilled promises throughout generations. Thank You for being the Word made flesh and for loving me. You are so very good. I want to be Your servant and to be used by You for Your glory. Quicken Your Word in my life as I lay down my own expectations and trust in Your abundant, amazing purposes. In Your name I pray, Jesus, Amen.