The Failure of Israel

Wine is a symbol of joy in the Bible (Ps. 104:15; Judges 9:13).  A marvelous picture of the spiritual state of Israel unfolds through the symbolism of the miracle.  The nation’s supply of joy had run out, being under bondage to the law and Pharisees,¹ just as the wedding had run out of its supply of wine.  The law itself had not failed, for it was holy and good (Romans 7:12).  But because the law could not change a man’s heart, the people had become enslaved to external ceremonies and traditions, wherein lies the importance of Christ using the ceremonial water pots.  The washings that the Pharisees mandated were not a part of the law, and Jesus later rebukes them for their pointless external traditions (Matt. 15:2).  Like the unfilled water pots, their ceremonies alone were empty and could not satisfy the inner man, but Christ could fill the people and supply the nation with the joy that it was lacking.  Thus Christ, “did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill.”  This The joy of salvation as well as the wine were immediately available to the wedding guests, for we are told that the disciples believed in Him after observing this miracle.