On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 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!” (vv.1-10)
This "beginning of signs" in the Gospel of John (the first of seven) is a miracle of conversion, from the old ways of law, to the new life of Jesus. Moses turned water into blood, showing that the Law results in death (Exodus 7:17-21). But Jesus’ first miracle turned water into wine, showing the gladness and joy of His new work. This plays out for us what John said in John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
According to John 2:1, this miracle happened on the third day in which Jesus was in Galilee. John hints at the idea that Jesus showed His glory on the third day, and that His disciples believed in Him when they saw His glory. However here the glory of Jesus is found in His compassion, and this was a miracle full of compassion.
The wine was not an absolute necessity; no one would die drinking water. However, in that day what was at risk was the embarrassment, reputation, and perhaps the bank account of the bridal couple. Yet, Jesus – and His Father – counted that enough to do this first public miracle and sign. Of course His disciples believed before, but now their belief was deepened and re-expressed. The faith of the disciples here is significant, especially in comparison to the others present who benefited from the miracle, but of whom no specific belief is mentioned.
This is typical of so many people today who benefit from God's grace and yet do not believe in Him. We as Christians on the other hand, understand we don’t deserve His grace in our lives and our belief in Him grows even deeper with each experience.
The Truth “And the God of all Grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you or strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)
