What Jesus did #7: he brought the wine to the party

Jesus turned water into wine.

Anyone can tell you that. It’s one of his most talked about miracles. The first miracle he performed according to John.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.  John 2:1-11

Jesus turned water into wine. How cool is that? This is different from any of his signs and miracles to follow. This is more like a magic trick – transforming one thing into something else. And yet this is not a trick. It’s not an illusion. It’s the real deal.

When the wine runs out, Jesus’ mother turns to him to fix it.

Come on, son, show them what you can do!

I can picture the roll of the eyes at this point.

Really? What do you expect me to do about it? Leave me be. This isn’t the time and the place.

And yet he does what he’s told. It’s weird, because this feels a bit trivial for Jesus to be using his superpowers on. Running out of wine is a first world problem. Healing the sick I get, but turning water into wine seems a bit indulgent somehow. Maybe the other gospel writers agree with me, because John is the only writer to include an account of this miracle in his gospel!

Having said that, I love that this account is on record. I love what it reveals to us about Jesus.

• Jesus liked a good celebration – getting together with family and friends mattered
• nothing is impossible with God – He created the world and everything in it. He created the rules of nature and can bend them when ever He chooses to!
• there’s an abundance here – 180 gallons of wine – bring it on!
• only the best is good enough
• this wonderful celebration of life and love is a glimpse of God’s glory

To me, this is a fab example of what living life to the full looks like. There’s an extravagance and abundance here, God lavishing good things – really good things – on His people. Christianity through the years has been portrayed as serious and hard and denying self. And yes, there is an element of truth in that – that’s a part of Jesus’ message. Having fun has been frowned upon as a frivolous waste of time. But God created humankind for His pleasure and I’m pretty sure He takes pleasure in seeing us enjoying ourselves – smiling, laughing, savouring the good things in life.

Life without fun and laughter and a little bit of frivolity thrown in is barely life at all. It’s not the kind of life I want to live. I want to run into a cold sea with a bunch of friends as the sun rises. I want to kick back and gaze at the stars. I want to dress up as a mermaid. I want to create pretty things with sparkles. I want to wear velvet and lace and tutus. I want to sing and dance around the kitchen. I want to laugh until my sides hurt and tears roll down my cheeks. I want to get lost in a good book and lose track of time playing a good game.

All of which I will be doing the first weekend in March with my crazy bunch – I can’t wait!

And Jesus will be there, I know that for sure. He loves a good celebration and this is going to be a good celebration!