Lessons From The Gospel Of John: The Wedding At Cana

The person in charge tasted the water which had become wine. He didn't know where it had come from, although the servers who had poured the water knew. The person in charge called the groom and said to him, “Everyone serves the best wine first. When people are drunk, the host serves cheap wine. But you have saved the best wine for now.” (John 2:9-10)

Wow, these two verses are so rich in material; it’s hard to know where to start – or where to stop. That Jesus turned the water into wine, not grape juice, is obvious. That this was His first public miracle is stated. That this was the best wine was a given.

What we don’t immediately see is that this miracle was performed for the sake of someone’s convenience.

His mother told Jesus that they were out of wine. Maybe more people showed up than was expected or maybe they just drank more than was planned. To run out of wine during a wedding feast would have been very humiliating. Hospitality was, and still is, a matter of honor in the Middle East. To have to tell your guests that you are out of wine says that you don’t care enough to have prepared for their comfort.

No one would have starved or gone thirsty if there was no wine. This was Cana, in a part of the country that was known for lush farmlands and good food. Water was available. Jesus turned the water into 180 gallons of the very best wine so that the married couple’s parents wouldn’t be embarrassed.

The same Jesus who was concerned for His mother’s friends is also concerned for our needs and our longings. He said that He would provide for our needs, but He also provides for our joy and happiness when we long for what is right. Of course evil or immoral longings are not going to be met. But Jesus does not want us to be constantly down and depressed. “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

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