WATER, WINE, AND GLORY

One of the ways Jesus revealed the Father and Himself was through the miracles He preformed. I think it is particularly significant that the setting for His first miracle was not a public street or an open hillside where it was witnessed by hundreds of people, but a private home in the midst of joyous festivities of a family wedding celebration. The scenario is intimate and very ordinary: Jesus is attending a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee, along with His disciples and His mother, Mary. Cana was located about eight miles north of Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. The wine has run out and the host are facing a deeply embarrassing social crisis. Mary appeals to her Son for help (see John 2:1-3).

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In those days and in that culture wedding celebration commonly lasted several days, even as long as a week. The host were responsible for making sure that enough food and wine were available at all times for all their guest. A failure in hospitality was a serious shortcoming in that culture and could cause damage to a family's reputation that would endure for years.

Why was Mary so concerned that she sought Jesus' help? Many Bible scholars believes that the host of the wedding celebration were blood relative of Mary and Jesus. This was "family," and they were in need. At first, however, Jesus appears reluctant to intervene. Nevertheless, His mother instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus says. What happens next is very low-key and takes place with no drama, fanfare, or publicity.

Just like that, Jesus averted a social embarrassment and preserved a family's reputation in the community. By doing so, He demonstrated the deeply personal interest that God takes in even the most ordinary affairs of our lives. In the Bible, wine is often used as a symbol for the Spirit of God. The new wine from Jesus was superior to the wine that had run out. In the same way, the life in the Spirit which we receive from Christ is far superior to the old life of sin, or even "religion" that has proved inadequate. Verse 11 explains Jesus' primary motivation for turning the water into wine: to reveal His glory so that His disciples would believe in Him.

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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 and 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 bring out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guest have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This is the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him* (John 2:6-11).

There are at least three truths or principles we can draw from this story.

Sometimes God allows things to "run out" in order to reveal His glory

Because the wine ran out, Jesus had an opportunity to reveal Himself and build the faith of His disciples. If you start to run out of stuff- the water runs out, or the money runs out, or a friendship runs out-don't panic. Just say, "God, there must be something about Yourself that you want to show me; that's why things run out. Reveal Your glory."

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When life throws you a curve, remember that it's a glory curve

If we are followers of Christ, life can never really catch us on our blind side because God knows everything. So, if you see a curve ahead, don't panic; God is waiting just around the bend. The glory is about to come up.

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Glory always reveals that which is better than what we had before.

The earlier wine at the Cana wedding may have been good, but Jesus' wine was better. Isn't God beautiful? Jesus didn't simply turn water into wine; He saved an entire family's reputation. The point I'm making is, if you think that where you are and what you have are good, "you ain't seeing nothing yet!" The best is yet to come. Glory comes out under pressure and glory brings out the very best there is.

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Friend, you run out of something just to be filled in of something better.