Jesus’ First Miracle

“Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water.  And they filled them to the brim.  And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.  And they bear it.”  John 2:7-8

Most people, even those who are not very familiar with scripture, are aware that the first miracle that Jesus did was to turn water into wine at a wedding.  It was the third day after Jesus arrived in Galilee near the beginning of His earthly ministry.  There was a wedding ceremony taking place in the city of Cana, and Jesus, His mother, and His disciples had all been invited.  It is of the utmost importance to not only invite Jesus to your wedding, but also to make Him a part of your marriage.

Wine was a very important commodity in ancient Israel.  I have been told that the wine in those days did not have the amount of alcohol that wines do today because alcohol is added to current day wines.  Since there was no refrigeration back them, the juice of grapes would naturally ferment and be stored in wineskins.  The self-righteous religious leaders hated Jesus so much that because he ate and drank with the hated tax collectors and sinners, they called Him a “winebibber” or as we say today, a “wine-o”.  But we know that Jesus never abused wine, never was a glutton, and never committed sin.  But He was a friend to sinners.

The host of the wedding ran out of wine before the marriage feast was over, and Jesus’ mother made a remark to Jesus about the fact that there was no more wine.  He rebuked her, at least it sounded like a rebuke.  He said, “Woman, what have I to do with thee?  Mine hour is not yet come.”  Apparently this was not the time or place that Jesus desired to display a miracle.  Perhaps He didn’t see running out of wine as an urgent need, but I am sure the host thought differently.  Jesus and His mother must have had a really special relationship for she apparently was not offended at His rebuke.  Today, for a child to address his or her mother to her face as “woman” doesn’t go over very well in most families.  But it wasn’t all that unusual in that day and age.  Jesus’ mother had faith in Him that this need would be met and told the servants, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.”

They filled six waterpots of stone to the brim with water as Jesus instructed.  He then told them to give some to the host of the wedding feast.  The host was surprised at the quality and rich taste of the wine.  Normally, at a feast, the good wine would be served first, and then when everyone has about had their fill, the cheap wine is brought out to serve.  The host called for the bridegroom to comment on the good wine, giving the bridegroom credit for saving the best for last.  I don’t think that the bridegroom was aware of Jesus’ miracle and was probably clueless as to how this good wine appeared.  All, except the servants who filled the waterpots, Jesus’ mother, and Jesus’ disciples, were unaware of the miracle that Jesus performed that day.  The ordinary, everyday people were the ones to be privy to Jesus’ manifestation of His glory in doing this miracle while the more affluent and the “movers and shakers” of upper society were still in the dark.  Many of them are still in the dark today, but those who seek Christ will be blessed to know Him.