7.  Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”  They did so, 9. and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10. and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11. 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.

By the grace of God, Jesus answered Mary’s concern for running out of wine with the miracle of changing water into wine.  Most of the people there never knew a miracle had taken place. It seems that only Mary, the servants, and the disciples were aware of what happened.  Minimizing the visibility of this first display of our Lord's power was by design, because it wasn't His time.  The Lord confirmed the faith of His disciples. They believed in Him.           

Perhaps what was done was also symbolic of what Jesus was going to do with these new followers. Jesus takes something common and turns it into something of great value - the best that the master of the wedding ever experienced.

The Old Testament Law required various kinds of washing. All of these were to demonstrate to the Israelites how deeply sinful and unclean they were, and thus how unfit to enter into God's presence.  Jesus took this ceremonial cleansing water and made it into wine.        

What a picture this is of the superiority of the New Covenant to the Old - comparing grace to law. Because He came and perfectly fulfilled the law, meeting all its requirements, our Lord was uniquely qualified to die for sinners on the cross of Calvary. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He makes it possible for men to leave the dirty behind and to enter into the joyful blessing of His salvation.  Wine has always been a symbol for blessing when it hasn't been abused.        

Jesus is able to take fallible men like Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael and make them into apostles.  He is able to take the weak and foolish things of this world - people like us - and transform us so that people marvel at God's grace and power. 

The wine Jesus created was the best, but He did not create a small quantity. He produced much more than was needed.  "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38).

Application:  Ponder what Jesus does....takes something common and turns it into something of great value.  He does that in YOU!

Prayer:   Oh my, Lord, I am always amazed at the truth and teachings of Your Word.   This beautiful display of water to wine is just so affirming of the grace You poured out and the Spirt that You gave to live in us.   

Dale