The Road From Cana

I was recently immersed in a bible study on the miracles of Jesus.  The pastor was pulling from the Book of John. Her position was one of curiosity – and how we could unfold the scriptures together by asking questions and finding answers. It was sublime. We were going deeper into the “Turning Water into Wine” miracle – the wedding feast and festival to which Mary (mother of Jesus), Jesus and the disciples were invited.   

There are three things that really struck a cord for me. First was the statement Mary made to Jesus amidst the celebratory festivities. She simply said “They don’t have any wine” (John 2:3b).  This circumstance would have been extremely embarrassing for the families. They were only on day three of a seven day affair. Jesus was firm yet graciously respectful of his mother. He said to her “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4b) .  

I’d like to pause here, and reflect on the sub-text. Let’s ponder Christ’s situation. I surmise that Jesus had the foreknowledge of all that he would endure in his lifetime. Yet, he was able to be situationally present, and not fretful or worried. He did not worry. He was God, after all. But… I also know that He came to earth to feel, taste, smell and see what we humans feel. He was fully man and fully God. They were at a wedding and likely enjoying themselves!  Taking in the sights of this blessed occasion. When his mother came to him, she was was not only asking him to remedy the present situation. No - essentially, she was calling him to come out of anonymity. Remember at this point in his life, he was still just a scripturally well-versed carpenter's son. There was nothing about him that drew attention. And in a mother’s loving gaze which accompanied just a simple statement, she was ushering him to… Go Forth. Go forth from the familiar comforts of home and family and to take that first step on the road He must travel. I can imagine my inclination if it were me.. comfort or obedience?  Thanks be to God it wasn’t me. For Jesus, He chose the road of obedience, every time. 

Then there were the pots that were filled with water by the servants. He took everyday water pots used for purification (cleansing) and filled them for His purpose. In actuality they had to run out of wine in order for Jesus to … fill the need. He really represents the “Best Wine”, doesn’t He?  And, guess what? The best was kept for last. The last was …first. Hope and salvation come after the hard work of ministry. Prophetic, to be sure, and the theme of “the last shall be first” is repeated time and again in Jesus’ ministry. 

The third thing that captured me is the prophetic and rather poetic way that this first sign compares with The Wedding Supper of the Lamb. This first sign offers a foreshadowing of the coming together of Christ (the bridegroom) and the Bride (his church). Rev 19-7 through 9 depicts this union. And there will be multitudes of the saints invited to come. God delights in hosting a feast! All throughout scripture he feeds, prepares tables and elaborate feasts. And he promises amazing meals that are to come where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be at the table! But most importantly the Father, in His grace and pure love for his Son, strategically designed this sign to happen first. This was a poignant moment between Father and Son. He wanted show His Son that although this would be a hard road that’s coming – but there would be a crown of glory and honor and celebration in the end. 

And so, yes, this miracle “popped the cork” on who He really was. (excuse the pun) He would do and say much, much more. He was prophetically filling the cups at the wedding in Cana to signify that in the not so distant future “likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying “this cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you””(Luke 22:20b). 

We as His followers don’t turn water into wine. But what is guaranteed is that our lives will look different and the outcomes to our circumstances will look different. We will bend in loving humility when all that person wanted to do was injure us. We will look for the sick, the broken-hearted, the lost, the downcast and we will walk lower and lower, down to the places where Christ goes. Because when the door of salvation is unlatched and we experience his touch in our lives, there’s just no going back. 

This is the story of a turning point for a lost and dying planet. The epic recordings of an amazing ministry that would be filled with wonder and wisdom, grace and indignations, hidden treasures and divine healings. Of deep friendship, and betrayal, mockery, flogging and .. death.  

And then…Life.  

We are invited into His story – into “his-story”. The pages are invisible but they’re being written even now. Every day, we get to see and live out how our story fits into His story. Every decision to take the narrow road matters. Toward that day when  “every tongue, every tribe and nation” - all moving toward the epic climax. The Wedding Supper of the Lamb. 

“Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last and the Living One”. Rev 17b – 18a 

*Inspiration taken from Cynthia Moore, Retired Pastor, Greater Phoenix Area. Trent Casto, “The Wedding Supper of the Lamb” Covenant Church, Naples FL. Tanya Remkiv, “The Wine Revelation”. 

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