The Prophet to Come

Jesus’ miracle at Cana further proves His true Messiahship through the symbols and prophesies established under Old Testament leaders. Authority over water validated several of Israel’s most important leaders and prophets.  God granted authority to Moses (Ex. 4:9, 7:20; 14:16; 15:25), Joshua (Josh. 3:7-8), Elijah (1 Kings 17:1; 18:36-38), and Elisha (2 Kings 2:19-22; 3:16-23; 6:5-6) to transform water, move it unnaturally, prevent rain, or cause it to flow forth.  These were godly men, unquestioned in the Jewish mind as having the Lord’s power exercised through them.  This act of Jesus turning water to wine, as well as later walking on the water (Matt. 14:25), and calming the sea (Matt. 8:24-27), helps to authenticate His claim to be the Messiah.

Moreover Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:15 that the Lord would raise up for the people a prophet like himself.  Jesus was this prophet to come, for the next leader after Moses, Joshua, did not give Israel the full rest promised (Heb. 4:8).  Therefore Jesus must perform miracles in a similar but greater fashion to demonstrate that He was The Prophet and Messiah foretold by Moses.  Moses turned the water to blood, bringing judgment to the Egyptians, and took the Israelites only to the entrance of the promised land.  Conversely, Jesus turned water to wine, bringing joy to the Israelites.  Jesus would bring a New Covenant and better conditions than Moses, bringing them to the complete fulfillment of the promised land.  The blood of Moses symbolizes the sacrificing and bondage of the Mosaic Law, while the wine of Jesus symbolizes the promised joy and freedom of the New Covenant.