Water into Wine from Jesus as seen by John

I love weddings. They are times of celebration and happiness; a time of a new beginning. I find the story of Jesus at the wedding in Cana really charming; Jesus enjoys celebrating in our happy times.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
   They did so, 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 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.”
 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.

It was just an ordinary wedding. We don't know who was getting married. But, since it occurred in a small town, it was a big deal. It was a celebration where the whole town probably turned out. Mary was invited; Nazareth was nearby. Jesus was also invited and he brought his disciples. No one seemed to mind wedding crashers. I should be noted that Jesus did not come to teach, he came to celebrate -- and he did not teach or heal -- he enjoyed the celebration.

Then there was a problem. I have never been a caterer, but I was a Logistics Officer; when people don't have enough stuff, there is a problem. Mary went to Jesus, "They have run out of wine." Now, how can you celebrate at a wedding if there is no more wine? What was Mary thinking? I suppose she just felt that Jesus would know what to do. She didn't ask for anything specific, she merely stated the problem. Jesus said, "Mom, what on earth do you expect me to do. This isn't the time for me to be performing miracles and becoming the main attraction." (My paraphrase -- not accurate, but you get the picture.) Mary just told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. Mom knows her son.

Jesus told the servants to fill the water jars to the brim with water. Now these were big clay pots -- 20-30 gallons -- they were used for the ceremonial washing of the people coming to the celebration. There were six of them (120 to 180 gallons of wine.) Then Jesus told the servants to take the water to the Emcee. What did the servants think? Jesus didn't do any magic. It was just, "Fill the jars with water and take some to the Emcee." When did the water become wine? We don't know, but we do know the reaction of the Emcee. "Wow, where did this come from?" He said that at most feasts, the best wine is used first. After everyone has become a little tipsy and don't much care, they bring out the bad stuff; who cares? But, this was the best. He was impressed. 

No one knew except Mary, the servants and the disciples. Presumably the celebration went on without a hitch.  The Gospel of John is sometimes called the book of signs because John labels many of the miracles as signs -- signs pointing to who Jesus really was. Here he said it was the first sign. He also said that the disciples believed. They were probably blown away!

What does this have to say to us today. I think the most important thing is that Jesus does care about the ordinary routine events in our lives. He cares about weddings and family celebrations. He enjoys a good party. He likes to be happy! This story also tells us that we can ask for ordinary help; it is not selfish to ask. When he answers and provides it may come in seemingly normal, ordinary ways or it may be miraculous. It doesn't matter. He provides. And, it is always good!