This week, we will consider the first of the seven miracles of Jesus as recorded from the Gospel of John. These are more than just miracles. They represent signs that speak of greater truths that enhance our understanding of God and His Ways. This is especially true as we draw closer to the last days.
First Miracle and Sign
Turning Water into Wine
John 2:1-11
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:6)
This week, we will consider the first of the seven miracles of Jesus as recorded from the Gospel of John. These are more than just miracles. They represent signs that speak of greater truths that enhance our understanding of God and His Ways. This is especially true as we draw closer to the last days.
Key insights from the Miracle of Turning Water into Wine
1. Jesus attended a wedding (John 2:2)
The Bible has much to say about weddings. The first marriage is seen in Genesis when God created Adam and Eve.
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
The last recorded marriage is revealed in Revelation when Christ, as the bridegroom, is joined with His Church, the bride.
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready, And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:7-8)
Jesus places a high premium upon marriage. Perhaps this is why we see the enemy’s attacks against this God-ordained institution. Also, it is interesting to note that we do not know the identity of the bride and groom. The first recorded miracle of Jesus just happens to take place at a wedding. Personally, I feel the Lord is seeking to draw our attention to marriage so that we have a better understanding of His viewpoint on this subject.
2. They ran out of wine (John 2:3)
One of the connotations of wine is joy. We understand that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We know that in the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).
The last and most glorious feast that Israel celebrated in the Old Testament was the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44). One of the name associated with Tabernacles is “The Feast of Joy”. Do you remember when Ezra instructed the people to no longer mourn nor weep? He went on to say the Joy of the Lord will now be your strength (Nehemiah 8:8-10).
Today’s world is in constant pursuit of discovering joy and satisfaction. The prophet Joel provides a sobering assessment of the spiritual landscape of his era. Can the same be said for the church of our day?
The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree— All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men. (Joel 1:12)
The Bible associates great joy with a marriage feast. Today, there is such a lack of joy (wine) in many marriages. People are losing hope while at the same time seeking after joy and pleasures that do not satisfy.
In this miracle we see the mother of Jesus concerned that there is no more wine available at this marriage feast. This can serve as a picture of today’s world drowning in hopelessness and despair. What did Jesus do?
3. Fill the waterpots with water (John 2:7)
Each waterpot was estimated to hold about 25 gallons of water. There are commentators who refer to the filling of the pots as being saturated in the Word of God. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Jesus was always able to draw from within the Written Word of God whenever it was warranted (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Mathew 4:4)
Think of the potential when a people and church are filled to overflowing with the Living Word of God.
And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. (John 2:8)
The attendants, and all who were involved with the Lord’s instruction, assumed that the containers only contained water. When the attendants took the drawn water to the governor of the feast, he discovered that it was wine. Not just any ordinary wine but something much greater. Carefully consider the governor’s words to the bridegroom after tasting the wine.
And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” (John 2:10)
4. The best is yet to come
It had to be quite a scene when Jesus performed this miracle. Can you imagine being the featured bride and groom at this wedding? The focus of this miracle is not about the event itself but rather the Lord’s viewpoint of marriage. This viewpoint consists of the premium God places upon marriage in addition to the picture of the Glorious Wedding that will take place at His Second Coming. Finally, the better wine speaks of a greater joy that is reserved for the people of God. May we come to know the experience of the Joy of the Lord being our strength.
Monday: 1 Peter 1:8
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Tuesday: Matthew 9:17
Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Wednesday: Psalm 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Thursday: Revelation 19:9
Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
Friday: Psalm 104:15
And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man’s heart.
Saturday: Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Sunday: John 14:12
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
