Arriving in Cana after a long journey, Jesus was eager for rest and reunion, miracles not yet in manifestation. His disciples, filled with both curiosity and anxious anticipation, joined Jesus as He immersed Himself in joyful reunions and enthusiastic introductions.

Growing up with these friends, it felt good to be in familiar company again. Greeting His mother with a strong embrace, the kind that speaks volumes without words, she buried her head in his shoulder and inhaled deeply. How she missed her Firstborn.

After the wedding ceremony, festive celebrating commenced. Food and drink flowed freely—laughter, loud conversation, and dancing created a jubilant atmosphere.

But a miscalculation threatened more than the merriment. Honor and reputation suddenly at stake, the last drops of wine were poured way too early in the evening. Mary got wind of the situation and hastily found her Son.

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Madam, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”John 2:3-5

As they spoke in hushed voices, understanding radiated from Jesus’ eyes upon seeing His mother’s sideways smile, awakening fond childhood memories.

There was no resignation under the coercive, “you’d better” motherly eye. This conversation and outcome emanated from an endearing relationship.

As Jesus transitioned from carpenter to King, He maintained perfect obedience as God’s Son and perfect honor as hers.   

So Mary moves toward the servants with a mother’s intuition and a daughter’s faith, “Do whatever He tells you.”

As intriguing as this discourse was, however, there are even richer treasures to unearth from the evening’s festivities.

Jesus wasted no moment nor circumstance in carrying out His mission. His identity was cloaked in mystery to some, but readily seen by others, and in this incidence, many witnessed a miracle and believed in Him.

Jesus told the servants to fill “six stone water jars there for Jewish rites of purification,” vs.6.

There is significance too rich with majesty and mystery to miss here. According to the Law of Moses,  stone could not become impure, unlike other pottery.

In addition, running water, or living water, was considered pure and could be used for purification purposes (Leviticus 15:13). This living water was stored in the stone water jars and used for ritual purification by religious leaders. 

Jesus changed the pure water for cleansing into “good wine.”  

Surely foreshadowing His sacrificial death as the once-for-all cleansing through His shed blood, this miracle forecasted the inauguration of the New Covenant the night before His death.

I can just picture the religious leaders hearing all about it the next day. 

After all, what did the master of ceremonies say about Jesus’ wine? “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now!”

Jesus even talks about new wine in old wineskins in Luke 5:36-39, shedding more light on this mysterious new wine. 

Jesus referred to the Mosaic laws for cleansing and sacrifice as the old wineskins. This system was a foreshadowing of His coming perfect sacrifice, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jhn.1:29)—the new wine.

John.2:11 declares, “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

Such a simple miracle with wondrous implications, causing faith to swell in His followers.

Water-to-Wine was Jesus’ first sermon without words. 

Friend, is He not as strategic with the circumstances of our lives? Every minute, every detail is decisively addressed and carefully tended for our best good.

Look at all the blessings from the seemingly simple act of turning water into wine: not only did Jesus preserve the dignity of the hosts, but many believed as a result. He desires to do the same for us!

He cared about the host’s honor, and the guest’s enjoyment; does He not care infinitely more about your provision, upcoming decision, marriage struggles, child-rearing, past hurts or present pain? 

He is strategically involved today, working in ways you will never fully know or understand, longing to shower you with His peace, joy, provision, perseverance, and yes, answered prayer.

The new wine of His intoxicating, joy-filled presence is yours in abundance for the asking, just as His mother humbly requested that celebratory evening. Trust Him enough to ask as she did.

“If not now, when?” The Chosen

Weekly Health Tip: Color your life!

Did you know colors count when choosing fruits and veggies? Each color is divinely designed for health. Research shows the color RED helps with: