Until Now - John 2:1-12

John 2:1-12

The Wedding at Cana

 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 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.”

 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. 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.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

The first miracle recorded by John is a wedding in Cana. The wedding is a foreshadowing of the wedding feast to come between Christ and the Church.  "On the third day" brings the resurrection into view, and hints at our betrothal.  

The wine of the first covenant dries up.  His mother had been given the honor of bringing Jesus into the world.  It would appear here that she also has the honor of initiating His ministry.  She says, "they have no wine".  This would be true for the wedding and Israel.  His reply may be indicative of the change between being a son and being the Son of God.  His ministry and mission has begun.  She pays Him no mind, instructing the servants to do whatever He commands. 

The stone water jars each held a "bath" of water used for ceremonial washing.  They were empty, perhaps a sign the sacrificial system had not achieved a true cleansing. Jesus tells them to fill the jars, and they did so till they could add no more. 

As they take the water to the master of the feast, it turns to fine wine. This is the good news, the new covenant offered by God.  He has kept the good until now.  Now is the for our cup to run over. Drink freely.