John: Transforming Power

John 2:1-12

John wrote his gospel with a definite purpose. He stated:

John 20:30-31
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

After establishing that Jesus was God in the flesh and introducing him as the Lamb of God in chapter 1, John shifted his focus to seven signs or proofs that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God.” There are thirty-five miracles recorded across the four gospels. Here are the seven signs John highlights, woven with other events and conversations:

1. Turning water into wine (2:1-11).
2. Healing the official’s son (4:46-54).
3. Healing the lame man (5:1-18).
4. Feeding the 5,000 (6:1-15).
5. Walking on water (6:16-21).
6. Healing a blind man (9:1-41).
7. Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44).

Today, let’s consider Jesus’ first miracle that took place at a wedding celebration. 

Three days after Nathanael was called to be a disciple, Jesus and his followers were invited to a wedding. By this time, Jesus likely had six disciples with him. The wedding took place in Cana, a small city mentioned only in John’s gospel (2:1, 4:46; 21:2). It’s interesting to note that Jesus’ first miracle occurred in an out-of-the-way town, witnessed by a minimal group of onlookers. 

It seems that the bride and groom were friends of Jesus’ family, and his mother, Mary, was helping with the preparations. Weddings usually lasted up to a week. Many family members and friends would pitch in to ensure the celebration went smoothly. However, at some point during the week, the wine ran out for this wedding.  

This was a significant oversight in the Ancient Near East. Besides causing embarrassment, legal action could be taken against the bridegroom and his family for failing to provide for the guests. Mary told Jesus about the dilemma, but it’s uncertain why. Did she expect him to buy more wine, or did she expect him to perform a miracle?  It appears from Jesus’ response that Mary expected Jesus to do something extraordinary. 

John 2:4-5
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Jesus addressing his mother as “woman” seems blunt; however, in the culture, this was a normal and polite way of addressing women.[1]  Jesus’ question, “What does this have to do with me?” is literally “What to me and to you?” Jesus’ point was, “How am I to be involved in this?” Then he added, “My hour has not yet come.” 

The word translated as “hour” (Greek: hora) occurs frequently in John,[2] and is used to describe significant events in Jesus’ life, such as his death and resurrection (17:1) or his return to the Father (13:1). Here, Jesus indicates that his identity as the Messiah has not yet been publicly revealed.[3] 

That is about to change. 

John 2:6-8
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 

Large water jars were necessary for the ceremonial washing of hands, feet, and utensils. Jesus used the common elements of this Jewish ritual to create new wine. It would have been unthinkable for guests to drink from the purification jars. However, this miracle was not only practical, but also symbolic. The “water of Jewish ritual purification [became] the wine of the new messianic age.”[4] 

Remember, Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus asked them to do. But this was quite a request. The servants had to fill the large jars with water, draw from them, and then present the water to the master of ceremonies. Was the water turned into wine before it was drawn out? Was it transformed into wine while being delivered to the master of the feast? We don’t know. What we do know is that the servants obeyed Jesus, even when they didn’t understand everything he was doing. 

The miracle was accomplished, and the servants brought the finest wine to the head table.

John 2:9-10
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.” 

John notes four important features about this miracle in verse 11:  

• It was the first miracle Jesus performed. The “first of his signs” proved that he was the Messiah. 
• John repeats that the miracle took place in Cana, in Galilee. I believe that John is emphasizing that the first miracle of the Messiah was in a remote town at a private affair. It was not for the world to see but for the disciples to experience.  It is uncertain if the other guests even knew what had happened. 
• The miracle ‘manifested his glory,’ demonstrating that Jesus was indeed the One John described in his introduction. He is the Creator who can bypass the natural process of planting, growing, and harvesting grapes, as well as the fermentation process. He miraculously transformed water into wine. 
• This miracle was for the benefit of his disciples. They already believed that Jesus was the Messiah and declared their commitment to follow him. Now they saw a miraculous transformation—water into wine. Their ongoing faith continued to grow. 

When we follow Jesus, he provides the basis for our spiritual growth.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Jesus’ first miracle: John 2:1-12.  

Talking to God: Talk to God about how he is continuing to strengthen your faith. 

Have Questions?
Please send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or desire spiritual counsel. 

Know Jesus more intimately.
Love Jesus more passionately.
Follow Jesus wholeheartedly.