Question

People frequently joke about Jesus feeding the multitude, especially his turning water into wine. What do you think this scene is intended to reveal about Jesus's character?

Answer 1

Answer:

The miracle of turning water into wine found in John 2:1-11, is the first recorded miracle of Jesus' public ministry. It occurred while Jesus and his disciples were attending the wedding in Cana on the third day of the celebration. Apparently, Jesus’ mother, Mary, had a close relationship with the hosts. She was informed of the humiliating situation regarding the lack of wine. Mary was confident that Jesus would know how to remedy the situation and informed him. Jesus' response is an idiomatic phrase in Hebrew meaning 'how does it concern us'. We are not to assume that Jesus was rebuking his mother because Mary confidently instructed the servants of the household to follow his specific instructions. Large stone waterpots were filled to the brim and the contents are drawn out and presented to the master of the feast. No longer water, it had become a wine of the most excellent quality. Obviously, this allowed for the feast to continue with no embarrassment to the hosts and the joyful occasion was not ruined.

The earnest student of the Bible would certainly look for a deeper, spiritual lesson from this first miraculous act of Jesus. And there are deeper lessons to be found. Wine is widely viewed in the Bible as a symbol of happiness, and a wedding is certainly the happiest of occasions. Jesus was illustrating the wonderful time of joy in his future kingdom when all sorrow and sadness will be banished. Joel 3:18, “And in that day, the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; and a spring will go out from the house of the Lord. Also, Matthew 26:28, “ will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Jeremiah 31:12 “They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiant over the bounty of the Lord— Over the grain and the new wine and the oil… And they will never languish again.”

The wedding at Cana turned out to be the perfect place for Jesus to demonstrate God's love and plan to bring joy and peace to the Earth forever. Psalm 4:6-8, “Many are saying, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”

Jesus turned water into wine to prove his real character to the disciples. The ultimate purpose of the miracle was to reveal His Glory, with the result being faith in him.