The first miracle that was performed by Jesus was that of turning ordinary water into really good wine. This supernatural act of God was done to manifest his glory, so that we might believe in Jesus and have life in his name. This account is given to us in Chapter 2 of John’s gospel.
“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, his mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he (Jesus) 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 that had 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.’”
Jesus was in the world, but the world did not yet know him. This was the first of seven miracles recorded for us, so that we might get a better glimpse of Jesus. A miracle is a supernatural act of God, one that arouses awe and wonder and bears witness to God himself. How in the world can you explain how Jesus could change ordinary water into excellent wine? You can’t!
Let’s look at a few of the details. They ran out of wine at the wedding. That was a big faux pau, or social catastrophe, back in Jesus’ day. The groom was responsible for the wedding feast, and this would be the sort of thing that was not only a significant embarrassment, but would be a dark cloud that could hang over a man and his marriage for years to come. Realizing the perfect opportunity to do something amazing, here’s what Jesus does. He asks for six large jars, each holding 20-30 gallons, to be filled with water. And somehow, he circumvents the act of smashing grapes and the lengthy process of fermentation to produce the equivalent of 848 bottles of wine, instantaneously. Wow! Now that was a heck of a wedding gift. How did Jesus do that? We have no reasonable explanation; that’s why it’s called a miracle. There are things that God does that we cannot understand. It was for the glory of God that Jesus promoted this joy and abundance.
Mary was perfectly content to leave the matter in the hands of Jesus. Are you content to leave matters in the hands of Jesus? He will not disappoint.
