Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #10 The Wedding in Cana

Some of our most interesting conversations have been at wedding receptions. Lots of food, fun, and people in the mood to enjoy life together. Well, leaving the land beyond Jordan, Jesus moved on with some of his disciples to the town of Cana, Nathanael’s hometown in the province of Galilee. They had been invited to attend a marriage ceremony there! Let’s go!

Invited to the Wedding

John 2:1,2:
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

Jewish society had always considered the marriage ceremony as a most joyous event, not only for the bride and groom, but also for the community. It represented life—the coming together of a man and a woman, with great promise of building a family, a community, a culture—all that honored God. How significant that Jesus’ first appearance in daily life occurred at a wedding.

Motherly Concern

At one point in the celebration, they ran out of wine. The wine was customarily provided by the men among the guests, with the oldest contributing first, and then on down the line by age. As a relatively young man of about 30 years, Jesus wouldn’t have his opportunity to supply any wine until towards the end of the feast.

John 2:3,4:
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Mary, the “mother of Jesus”, as she is referred to throughout the gospel of John, was concerned that they needed wine, and expressed this to her son. Jesus’ reply begins by addressing his mother as “Woman,” which to us, sounds rather disrespectful.

But the term, “woman” (in Greek, gunē) was typically used for both a “wife” or any other kind of “woman.” The word in itself didn’t have either a sense of deprecation or praise. It is used when Jesus praised a woman who had anointed his head with oil (Matthew 26:7) and when he addressed a woman who had committed adultery (Mark 12:10).

In calling Mary “Woman” rather than “Mother,” Jesus respectfully emphasized her maturity. It also indicated that Jesus was a grown man, rather than still being subject to his mother. Mary was acting very “motherly,” being concerned that her eldest son was prepared to meet his obligation to provide the wine at his turn. This reminds us of her concern at the temple when Jesus was twelve years old.

Luke 2:48-50 [NKJV]:
So when they [Joseph and Mary] saw Him [Jesus], they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

In answer to her anxiety, Jesus pointed out that he expected his parents to understand that he needed to “be about my Father’s business.” Both Joseph and Mary were perplexed at that time by what he said, yet Jesus did subject himself appropriately and went home with them. Now as an adult at the wedding, his reaction was different.

The Amplified Bible nicely clarifies this verse.

John 2:4 [Amplified Bible]:
Jesus said to her, “[Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? My time [to act and to be revealed] has not yet come.”

Jesus was telling his mother not to be concerned with the apparent lack of wine, or to doubt that he was willing and able to supply it when his turn did come. Jesus walked with God, having full confidence that His heavenly Father would provide (even though he, himself appeared to be “unprepared”).

His mother’s next instructions to the servants show that she must have gotten the message: to trust that her son knew what he was doing.

John 2:5:
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Trusting the Father to Provide

At the proper time, Jesus told the servants exactly what to do.

John 2:6-8:
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

Pretty simple, right? Fill six waterpots up to the brim with water? Draw some out and take it to the governor, the master-of-ceremonies of the feast? Yes! Because Jesus trusted God to do the work that man alone could never do, to provide for the need.

John 2:9,10:
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

Jesus, in his turn, brought God’s best wine to the table, when other men would only serve up “that which is worse.”

The First Sign

The Bible sometimes describes Jesus’ mighty acts as “miracles”, which can be defined as: “Surprising and welcome events that are not explicable by natural or scientific laws and are therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” I think we could all agree that turning water into wine certainly could be called a miracle. But in the book of John, the Word of God calls it a “sign.”

John 2:11:
This beginning of miracles [sēmeion, a sign] did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

This “beginning of miracles” is actually the first of eight “signs” (sēmeion) described in John’s gospel. A sign could be a miracle, which in the New Testament is a “manifestation or work of power” (dunamis). It could also be a “wonder” (teras). But a “sign” emphasizes that there is a significance, an important meaning to be understood by the work done. All eight of these signs in John’s gospel convey both Israel’s need, and the Messiah manifesting his glory to meet that need.

At the wedding in Cana, Israel’s need was represented in Mary’s words, “They have no wine.” The waterpots Jesus used were “after the manner of purifying for the Jews.” They represented people’s superficial efforts to cleanse themselves of their evil thoughts and deeds. But pure cleansing and true goodness could only be attained by the provision of God’s gift—His Son, the Messiah.

Isaiah painted a picture of Israel in dire need when they had turned away from God.

Isaiah 16:10:
And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

Without God’s help, there was no wine, no singing, no shouting in the vineyards. But look at the joy and gladness that the Messiah would bring to Israel!

Jeremiah 33:11,14-16:
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness [the Messiah] to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 
In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness. 

In this first of the signs, God not only met the need, He provided the best (the “good wine”) and manifested His glorious power in His Son, Jesus Christ. And God in His infinite mercy, has promised us, no matter our backgrounds, that we will have great gladness and exceeding joy when His glory shall be fully revealed in the future—at the return of His Son!

I Peter 4:13:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Rejoice and encourage one another, brothers and sisters, as we continue to travel the Glory Road together.

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