Water Into Wine - Thoughts on John 2:1-12

“On the third day there was a wedding…”

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The third day is the Day of Eternity, on which the dead are raised for the marriage feast that has no end. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9) The third day at Cana in Galilee points to the Third Day of Eternity. The wedding at Cana in Galilee points to the wedding of Christ and his bride, the Church.

“‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification."

Mary’s words are for anyone with ears to hear: Do whatever Jesus tells you. The six stone water jars are representative of the six days of creation. That is, they represent life in this world, which is for man's purification. Those who are purified will enter the Seventh Day of rest with God (which is no different from the Third Day of resurrection with Jesus).

"‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them to the brim.”

Jesus commands a life of repentance. To fill the six jars with water is to engage in a lifelong (all six days of creation!) pursuit of purification. It is to be filled with the Spirit of God, who drowns sin and is Himself the Water springing up to everlasting life. (John 7:38-39) Those who are filled “to the brim” with Him are those who turn from sin completely and receive Him wholly.

“And he said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So they took it.”

Another command from Jesus, and another instance of unquestioned obedience. The Master is God the Father, and the servants of Christ are to offer their repentance to the Father.

“When the master of the feast tasted the water 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.’”

In Christ, the water of repentance becomes the wine of new life. Sorrow for sin becomes joy in the Lord. God the Father finds this unusual, since everyone else tries to find joy by avoiding sorrow, life by avoiding death, righteousness by avoiding confession. Christ Jesus, the Bridegroom, has reversed the order. More accurately, He has demonstrated the right order.

“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

It is the nature of signs to signify something. This particular sign – water made into wine, repentance made into new life – signifies the divinity of Christ. It points to his glory. Only God has true glory. Jesus is God. He has true glory.

If a sign is trustworthy, there are two things one should do with it: (1) trust it, and (2) follow it. The disciples trusted in and followed Christ Jesus, the Lord of glory.