“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11
Mary’s initial request to replenish the wine was fulfilled (John 2:3) – not in her timing or in her way – but the result was far more than quenching thirst or saving the hosts from embarrassment. The result was eternal. “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11). The Bible tells us that Jesus’ disciples put their faith in Him because of what they saw Jesus do. We don’t know which disciples these were, but if they had never believed in Jesus, they now had eternal life (cf. John 3:36). If they were already saved, this miracle simply reconfirmed the conclusion the disciples had drawn from their previous conversations with Jesus in John 1:35-51.
Two miracles happened on that day at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. The first was the changing of water into wine so that a celebration could continue for the rest of the week. But the second was the changing of fallen sinners into forgiven saints so that a celebration could continue for the rest of eternity. You tell me. Which was the greater miracle? This first miracle of Jesus is a beautiful picture of salvation. Let’s look at some ways this miracle is like salvation:
a. It happened at a point in time. It was not a process. It did not take Jesus days or weeks or years to change the water into wine. It happened in an instant. Likewise, the moment you believe in Jesus Christ, you become a child of God forever (John 1:12).
b. It had permanent results. The wine never turns back into water. Likewise, when you become God’s child the moment you believe in Christ, you can never stop being His child no matter what you do from that time forward (John 1:12; 6:35-40; 10:28-29).
c. It was a total change. Just as the transforming grace of Christ can change water into wine, so Jesus’ grace can change sinners into saints, “set apart” from their sin and shame forever (Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 10:10, 14)). God’s grace transforms you into a new person in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). No longer are you defined by your sin and shame. You are defined by being in Christ. Now when God looks at your life, He sees the perfection of His Son (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:6). Only God could do this.
d. It benefited others. The making of water into wine not only benefited the couple and rescued them from a legal and social disaster, but it also benefited all the guests. Everyone enjoyed its taste. Likewise, when Jesus Christ gives you eternal life, He starts a new work in your life. His forgiveness enables you to forgive others. His love enables you to love others. His self-control enables you to control your tongue and temper. His patience allows you to be patient with others. His generosity enables you to be generous with others. See how this can benefit not only you, but the people in your life?
e. It was a total work of Jesus – nothing else. Could the servants change the water into wine? Of course not. Only Jesus could and He did! Can we get ourselves to heaven? Never. Only Jesus can do that when we put our trust in Him alone for His free gift of everlasting life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me an even greater miracle than changing water into wine.Your grace transforms guilty sinners like me into forgiven saints. This great salvation is not because of our deservedness, but because of Your goodness to us. And no one, including ourselves, can undo what You have done for us and in us. Your salvation is permanent and it is designed not only to benefit the recipient, but also the people around him or her. Use me my Lord and my God, to spread Your transforming grace throughout this world one person at a time. To You be all the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.