By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
“Now draw some water out and take it to the man in charge of the feast.” They took him the water, v9which now had turned into wine, and he tasted it. He did not know where this wine had come from (but, of course, the servants who had drawn out the water knew); so he called the bridegroom v10and said to him, “Everyone else serves the best wine first, and after the guests have drunk a lot, he serves the ordinary wine. But you have kept the best wine until now!”
v11Jesus performed this first miracle in Cana in Galilee; there he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. – Read: John 2.1-12
Jesus performed miracles during his earthly ministry. These acts are not for show but are spontaneous responses to occasions that demanded extra ordinary actions. They are not rehearsed. These wonderful actions of Jesus which are recorded in the gospels are manifestations of his divine nature. The story of the miraculous changing of water into wine at the wedding in Cana appears in John’s gospel as “the first of his signs,” revealing his glory evoking the faith of his disciples. This formula reveals the structure of the fourth gospel, formed around a series of major sign-events or divine disclosures. Later Christian interpreters have seen the water and wine as symbolizing the elements of baptism and Eucharist. A more modest interpretive claim might focus in the revelation of God in Jesus Christ in basic life experiences, such as a wedding feast, where water and wine are integral to the occasion. There are seven of these miracles recorded by John: Changing water into wine at Cana “the first of the signs” in our reading this Sunday, Healing of the paralytic at Bethesda (John 5:1-15), Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:5-14), Jesus walking on water (John 6:16-24), Healing the man blind from birth (John 9:1-7), and the Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45) . In the synoptic gospels Jesus refuses to give miraculous sign to prove his authority. These miracles are theopanies or manifestations of God in Jesus Christ.
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The first miracle in Cana is a strong revelation of who Jesus is and the purpose of his coming. Water in this particular occasion were there for the purpose of the Jewish tradition of washing. Jesus reversed the impending wedding disaster by turning the water into much needed wine. Wine in the Bible is a symbol of joy and abundance. Jesus not only cleanses dirtied lives by offering the living water but transformed the same into abundance and joy. This miracle would be later embodied in Jesus declaration: “v10The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10). A total transformation from sin-soiled humanity to a decontaminated purified abundant life!
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At this wedding there was great joy but a problem developed. There was a shortage of wine. Not only was that a social embarrassment, it was also a symbol. For a wedding to run out of wine was an omen that there was little chance of this particular marriage reaching its full potential, maybe joy was not meant for this couple. So Mary approaches Jesus and asks him to do something. His response? “Why do you involve me woman?” Sounds harsh, so unlike him, and it has long puzzled biblical scholars. But you have to look at this scene in its historical context. Jesus, at this moment, had not performed a single miracle He was thirty years old and he had just gathered together his disciples. He knows that if he performs a miracle, a clock will start ticking and it will not stop until he gets to Calvary. Crowds will flock; investigators will be dispatched. Is this the appropriate moment? Jesus thus makes his move and gives his first public sign that he is different; he transforms water into wine. It is a crucial moment for Jesus and the disciples.
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Let us go further in appreciating the transformation that the Cana miracle brought into this world. In a departure from custom, John fails to interpret for us the miraculous “sign,” which for him almost always means a symbol, a kind of acted parable. Some commentators see in it a preview of the last Supper, when Jesus transforms not water into wine but wine into blood, his blood shed for all humanity. Maybe. But, I think not. I prefer a more whimsical interpretation. Tellingly, John notes that the wine came from huge thirty-gallon jugs that stood full of water at the front of the house, vessels that were used by observant Jews to fulfill the rules on ceremonial washing. Even a wedding feast had to honor the burdensome rituals of cleansing. Jesus, perhaps with a twinkle in his eye, transformed those jugs, ponderous symbols of the old way, into wineskins, harbingers of the new. From purified water of the Pharisees came the choice new wine of a whole new era. The time for ritual cleansing had passed; the time for celebration had begun. Prophets like John the Baptist preached judgment. Jesus’ first miracle, though, was one of tender mercy. The lesson was not lost on the disciples who joined him at the wedding that night in Cana.
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Christ came on earth to change people and to make all things new. He came to transform us just as he changed water into wine. His presence among us is an invitation to change our ways and a call to a new manner of life. Christ is the spirit of new life who is continually exploding into the world that is weary of meaningless living. His words are spirit and life and have a message for every age. Two weeks ago we entered the New Year with new hopes of a better scenario in our battle with the pandemic only to be disappointed with surge of infections and of increasing Omicron variant cases. Despite of this we struggle to move forward with our carry-over resolution of the past year to be better people and change our living. If we really want to transform our lives, we have got to turn to Christ and call on his help.
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Wherever Jesus is found, life is always changed for the better. He enriches the very ordinary, makes it precious and gives an eternal value to the commonplace. Given the opportunity, Jesus will be at work in the most unexpected of ways, transforming us, making us like himself. The joy and happiness he brought into the lives of the newlyweds at Cana by his presence is ours for the asking provided we follow the simple instruction given by Mary, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Our big mistake in life is that when we run short we forget to turn to Jesus for fresh supplies of what we need. It is only when we go to him with open hearts and empty hands that he can touch us and make certain that the wine of love and joy will always be part of our lives.
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Jesus didn’t stay in Cana and celebrate his miracle. He knew that human nature doesn’t remember miracles for very long. People think if they ask for a miracle and God grants it, they will trust God forever. Miracles only make people believe temporarily. When the magic of the moment wears off, so will their belief. Real faith isn’t developed this way. Human nature will want another miracle after that and then another. Real faith is trusting in God for who He is, not what He can do. He is the God who loved you before you were born. If you’re going to believe, you’ll believe before you see a miracle, like Mary and the disciples. Seeing a miracle only solidifies a budding faith. It doesn’t start the fire in your heart. When you see miracles, healings, or answered prayer, take time to rest in your gratitude to God. Don’t get so caught up in “what happened” that you forget Who made it happen.
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts. Amen. (Epiphany Blessing, ECPBCP p.295)**
