Reflection

The story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana is the first miracle described in the Gospel of John. Unlike other Synoptic Gospels, John places this story at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This is not by accident – John wants to show how important this event is. It is a clear sign of what Jesus came to do and a way of revealing who he truly is.

Talking about miracles can be challenging for preachers. Many of us, living in a world that values science and reason, may find stories like this hard to understand or believe. A renowned biblical scholar once said that we should not try to explain miracles, just as we should not try to explain the resurrection of Jesus. Miracles are meant to surprise us and go beyond what we can explain. Instead of trying to make them “normal,” we should appreciate them for what they are and think about what they tell us about Jesus.

In John’s Gospel, miracles are called “signs.” These signs are not just amazing events; rather they point to something bigger. They reveal deeper truths about who Jesus is. Verse 11 says, “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”  By using the word “sign,” John shifts our attention away from how the miracle happened to who performed it. The real question is not, “How did Jesus do that?” but instead, “Who did this?” and “What does this tell about him?”

Jesus’ ministry begins in Cana, a small and humble village. It is not a famous place, nor is it filled with powerful or influential people. Instead, the setting is a wedding – a joyful, everyday celebration with family, friends, and disciples. It shows us something important: God works in the ordinary moments of our lives. God doesn’t wait for grand events or perfect settings. God meets us where we are and turns the ordinary into something extraordinary.

The story itself is full of interesting details. When the wine runs out at the wedding, which is a big embarrassment for the hosts, Mary, Jesus’ mother, notices and tells Jesus. At first, Jesus seems hesitant, saying, “My hour has not yet come.” But after Mary tells the servants to follow Jesus’ instructions, he asks them to fill six large stone jars with water. These jars, used for Jewish purification and rituals, hold a huge amount of water – 120-180 gallons!  Then, what comes out of these jars is not just wine but the best wine, and there is an overwhelming amount of it.

Even the jars themselves carry a special meaning. They were used to Jewish purification rituals, but now they hold something new. This does not mean Jesus is rejecting the old traditions, but he is transforming them, giving them fresh meaning and purpose. The water turned into wine symbolizes the arrival of God’s kingdom – a kingdom where ordinary things are made extraordinary, and the old is renewed.

It is important to note that this miracle is not about rejecting Judaism. Jesus is not saying the old ways are wrong; he is showing how they can be fulfilled and made new. This miracle is about renewal. Water becomes wine. Old jars carry a new gift. Scarcity becomes abundance.

But this story is not just about wine; it is about who Jesus is. Verse 11 says that through this sign, Jesus revealed his glory. Glory, in this context, means God’s presence and power made visible through Jesus. The disciples see in this miracle a sign of God’s presence with them, and it leads them to believe in Jesus more deeply.

At the end of the story, the steward at the wedding (the one in charge of the banquet) tells the bridegroom, “You have saved the best wine until now.” On the surface, this is a compliment about the quality of the wine. But on a deeper level, it points to Jesus. In the Old Testament, an abundance of good wine is a sign of God’s blessings and the coming of a new age. By providing this wine, Jesus shows that he is fulfilling God’s promises and bringing something new and amazing into the world.

What does this abundant grace look like? It’s like expecting cheap, ordinary wine but receiving the best wine you’ve ever tasted. It’s like seeing Jesus take something plain and turning it into something extraordinary. This miracle reminds us that Jesus’ grace is not limited or measured out—it is poured out generously, just like the wine at Cana.

This grace is not just about wine or physical blessings. It’s about every part of life. Jesus’ ministry is full of generosity that breaks down barriers and goes far beyond what we expect. When the disciples witness this abundance, they see it as a sign of God’s presence and are drawn to trust Jesus even more.

The village of Cana, small and unimportant, becomes the site of an extraordinary event. This mirrors what Jesus can do in our own lives. He takes our ordinary moments and fills them with purpose and meaning. He can take a small community like Cana — or like our faith community, West Point Grey United — and make it a place where God’s abundant grace is revealed and celebrated.

Jesus’ ministry begins with an act of extraordinary grace at Cana. In the same way, a powerful ministry can come from our own community. Our ordinary space can become a sacred and God-filled place. When we recognize the abundance of God’s gifts and trust in Jesus’ power to transform, we see water turn to wine, scarcity become abundance, and the old made new. Through Christ, this limitless grace is ours. May this grace fill our lives, transforming our ordinary days into extraordinary celebrations of God’s love. Thanks be to God, and glory to Jesus. Amen.