Introduction

Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.  Their wine had run out, and Mary looked to Jesus to fix the situation.  He then changed ordinary water into wine, satisfying the host and his guests.  A wealth of symbolism exists within the narrative of this miracle, and must be understood in order to see the fullness of Christ’s ministry.  The acceptance or rejection of the miracles of Christ has profound consequences for the individual as well as for the entire nation of Israel.

The Failure of Israel

Wine is a symbol of joy in the Bible ([v]Ps. 104:15[/v]; [v]Judges 9:13[/v]).  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 ([v]Romans 7:12[/v]).  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 ([v]Matt. 15:2[/v]).  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.

Future Gathering of Israel

Jesus turning water to wine brought the host and attendees of the wedding great joy.  In an even greater celebration, God will one day rejoin Himself to the nation of Israel at the inauguration of Christ’s millennial reign.  Just as those at the wedding feast experienced joy in the wine, Israel will experience joy at her regathering and regeneration ([v]Hos. 2:14-23[/v]; Isaiah 54; [v]Joel 2:21-27; Amos 9:13-14[/v]).

The coming of the Messiah is inextricably tied to His joyful millennial reign.  If Jesus was to be the Messiah, He must demonstrate that He possessed the power to bring the promised conditions of that kingdom.  Joy ([v]Isaiah 9:3-4, 30:29, 65:18-19; Zech. 10:6-7[/v]), and prosperity ([v]Isaiah 62:8-9; 65:21-34; Jer. 31:12; Ezek. 36:29-30; Joel 2:21-27; Amos 9:13-14[/v]) are two characteristics of the Messiah’s millennial reign² .  A common theme in many of these old testament passages is the abundance of wine to symbolize the joy, prosperity, and satisfaction of the nation.  Indeed, “the mountains will drip sweet wine…they will also plant vineyards and drink their wine” ([v]Amos 9:13-14[/v]).  Thus this miracle of transforming water to wine attests to Christ’s power to inaugurate the kingdom promised to Abraham and confirmed to David.

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 ([v]Ex. 4:9, 7:20; 14:16; 15:25[/v]), Joshua ([v]Josh. 3:7-8[/v]), Elijah ([v]1 Kings 17:1; 18:36-38[/v]), and Elisha ([v]2 Kings 2:19-22; 3:16-23; 6:5-6[/v]) 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 ([v]Matt. 14:25[/v]), and calming the sea ([v]Matt. 8:24-27[/v]), helps to authenticate His claim to be the Messiah.

Moreover Moses prophesied in [v]Deuteronomy 18:15[/v] 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 ([v]Heb. 4:8[/v]).  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.

Manifest His Glory

Another purpose of this miracle, as with all miracles, was to manifest the glory of the God-man.  Just as on the mount of transfiguration, those at the wedding were given just a taste of the glory to be revealed.  The ultimate purpose of the abundant joy and prosperity in the coming kingdom of the Messiah is to bring glory to God. The miracle at Cana established an important precedent in the ministry of Jesus; He was here as Messiah to bring salvation for the glory of God.

Approval of Marriage

Finally, the context of the miracle confirms that the Lord approves of marriage.  Because Mary was in attendance, it was likely a relative or God-fearing couple that were being joined as one flesh.  Christ not only blesses them with His presence, but gives them the gift of being the context for His first miracle, turning water to wine in order to contribute to the celebration of their union.

Conclusion

The meaning of this miracle in Cana sets the stage for Christ’s ministry, symbolically defining His purpose.  The signs He performed all demonstrate some aspect of the kingdom, and validate His claim as Israel’s Messiah.  Still, the hearts of the Pharisees continually harden against Him, and they eventually attribute His miracles to the workings of Satan.  In doing so they rejected every purpose of the miracles: to show Christ’s power to establish the coming kingdom, to show the Way of salvation, and to prove Christ as Messiah.  Because the designated rulers of Israel chose to reject the Christ, the entire nation would suffer the consequences, and the Kingdom would be delayed.  But by the grace of God individuals could still drink the cup of salvation.