Not every wedding ends up on America’s Funniest Home Videos, but almost all of them have a memorable incident — a groomsman faints, silly aunts are the flower girls, the preacher drops the ring. Unforgettable moments help us remember the event, usually with a smile. But in the wedding Jesus attended in John 2:1-12, the memorable event was quite embarrassing. The host ran out of wine!
Let’s review a minute before we dive deeper into this true story. In biblical times, weddings were a series of events, beginning with the betrothal that legally established the bride and groom as married. The clock started and the groom had up to a year to prepare his bride’s home, while the bride’s family prepared her trousseau and filled her hope chest. Then the groom came (often unannounced) to collect his bride. Parading with bridesmaids to their new home, they held a simple ceremony to ask God’s blessings, then celebrated. The groom’s father hosted the week-long party where the bride and groom were blessed by guests, gifts, dancing, and feasting.
Jesus Goes to Weddings
Jesus, His mother, and His disciples all had been invited to this wedding in Cana. Obviously, it was a big event. But the unthinkable happened. The host ran short of refreshments. Hosting a party without providing sufficient food or drink was not only embarrassing but also socially unacceptable. City officials could even fine people for such an offense. Maybe the wedding host underestimated how many would come or how hungry they would be. Perhaps the party was so fun, no one wanted to leave. Maybe the host was not wealthy, and his resources gave out. We aren’t told. We only know Mary was aware of the situation and asked Jesus to help.
Was this dilemma any of Mary’s business? Scripture doesn’t answer that question (although many commentators speculate she was somehow responsible for the feast preparations). At the least, we know she was thoughtful about the need of the host, and her response was to bring it to Jesus.
Stop!
Before you read about what happened next, take some time to reflect on a couple of important truths. Jesus’ presence at this wedding was an affirmation of the sanctity of marriage. Just as God blessed the first marriage in the Garden of Eden, He approved the practice in New Testament times. Both by His words (Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:7-9) and His actions, the Designer of marriage reaffirmed the truth a man would leave his father and mother and become one with his wife. Jesus never married, but He approved of marriage and upheld its sacred bonds.
Second, Jesus came to the wedding. He came because He was invited (John 2:2). Not everyone reading this is married; that’s clear. But if you are, have you invited Him into your marriage? Have you welcomed Him into your home and your relationship? Have you sought His blessing on the vows you have made to one another?
Here’s the truth: Jesus likes to come to weddings. He wants to be part of your marriage. He wants to heal hurts and restore connections. He wants to give direction and insight for your future. He wants to protect you from temptation and strengthen you for challenges. He longs to be the center of your home, the “threefold cord” not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). He wants to promote peace, unity, and safety as you build a life together. Even if you’ve been married 75 years, He wants to be invited in. Don’t wait a minute longer. Ask Him to your wedding.
And for those who have never married, here’s what is true from God’s Word. Jesus wants to be part of your family, too. He wants you to be His chosen loved one. When you welcome Him into your home, He will abide with you, long-term, never leaving you, ever. He is a Husband (Isaiah 54:5), a Father, and a Brother to His people — to you. That’s a promise.
Jesus Responds to Our Needs
We get to listen in on a conversation between Jesus and His mother in John 2:3-4. Later in verse 11, we learn this was the first of Jesus’ miracles (signs), which may explain part of the puzzle here. Why did Mary bring this problem to Jesus? What did she expect Him to do about the refreshment shortage? Did she think He would run to the store or quickly return home to their own cupboard? Did she think He had resources to provide more wine? Did she expect a miracle?
Before His public ministry began, do you think Jesus had provided in such ways in His childhood home? We don’t know, of course. But Mary understood Jesus’ unique role as God’s Son. She had been pondering things in her heart for decades (Luke 2:19), connecting the dots from Scripture, the angels’ words, the prophecies, the preaching of John the Baptist, and the character of her Son.
Jesus responded to His mother in a way our twenty-first century reading easily could misinterpret (verse 4). He was
not disrespectful. Addressing a female as “woman” could be said with indignation, but in that day, could also be said with great respect and affection, as we assume here. Notice He addressed Mary this way again at the cross, when He entrusted her care to His disciple John (John 19:26).
Verse 4 denotes Jesus’ first mention of “His hour,” but we know He was ever conscious of His mission on earth. From childhood to final breath (and beyond), He was under orders from the Heavenly Father, sent to redeem mankind. God’s timing was impeccable. At just the right time, Jesus came. All history revolves around His completed sacrifice and resurrection. He again spoke of “His hour” in John 17:1 as He prayed for the disciples, recognizing what lay ahead for Him.
Mary certainly did two things right. First, she took the problem straight to Jesus. We should make it a practice to do the same. Whatever problem, whatever need, whatever hardship you face, go to Jesus with it. Hand it over. Tell Him what you need. Tell Him what others need. Place it in His almighty, all-knowing, all-powerful hands and let Him handle it.
Second, she encouraged others to obey Him. When we read her instructions to the servants to do whatever Jesus told them, it sounds so simple, but we have met the complications of full obedience many times. Just do what He says. This is acting in faith, not always understanding what or why. Obedience rejects human wisdom, turns from popular opinion, and risks trusting Him — stepping from the boat onto choppy waves in the dark.
Jesus gave simple instructions to the servants. Take six stone waterpots and fill them with water to the very top. It is likely the water was transported from the well and poured into these waterpots. Each held between 20 and 30 gallons. That’s a lot of trips to the well and a lot of water. “Do whatever He tells you.”
When we ask Jesus to meet our needs, He doesn’t skimp. He doesn’t do a half-way job. He doesn’t just get by. He does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Our cups overflow (Psalm 23:5). He is the God of plenty. He satisfies the thirsty soul. And He provided on this occasion.
Jesus Saves the Best for Last
The servants served the new wine for the approval of the master of the feast (think caterer). Then the bridegroom had a taste and said, in essence, “Wow!” We have no clue about how this beverage looked or tasted, but the conclusion was the wine Jesus provided was better than what had been served first. Jesus makes everything better!
We try. We work. We aim for the best. But His touch changes well-water into the very best. He can do the impossible. Maybe you’re struggling with parenting. You’ve read the books and listened to the podcasts. You’ve hung chore lists, given stickers, and threatened consequences. You’ve battled strong wills and bad attitudes and glazed eyes. But when Jesus takes over, you begin to see real improvement.
Maybe your work situation is grueling. The boss is unfair, the assignments are piling up, the coworkers are unengaged, and the paycheck is too skimpy. But when Jesus takes over, the lights come on, and you know the next step to take.
Maybe your church is dying. You’ve taught and invited and swept and sung and given — but you aren’t seeing growth. Your pastor is discouraged, and your kids are complaining. Then Jesus turns it around by moving in and doing what only He can do.
We serve a God who specializes in amazing transformations. Don’t ever think the situation is hopeless. Don’t give up. Give it to Him and let Him work a miracle. That’s what Jesus does. He takes nothing and makes something. He takes little and makes it more than enough. He takes average and makes it extra special. Just give Him what you have. He can do the rest.
This miracle also reminds us the best is yet to come. Even if your life is great right now, better days are ahead. Maybe you have money in the bank and no leaks in the roof, and you love your life…wonderful! But the best is yet to come!
For most of us, though, this is an encouraging truth to which we can cling. Heaven is going to be better. Heartaches and headaches will be no more. Health struggles, limited finances, problems with family, work, neighbors, friends, church — all will pass away, and God will give us the most beautiful, brilliant, magnificent, perfect future. Forget average. Forget ordinary. The best is yet to come!
Jesus in the Spotlight
The wedding feast was salvaged and the host’s reputation protected. The wine Jesus provided was delicious. But that’s not the point of John 2, is it? Verse 11 is the key. It’s really all about Jesus. Here’s a glimpse of who He is and why He came. Here’s a peek at His glory and power. And this was only the beginning! The spotlight turned to Jesus Christ — God in human flesh — and His earthly mission. The miracles provided confirmation, evidence He is the Messiah. His glory as the Sovereign Creator who satisfies our needs was revealed in the kitchen of the wedding feast at Cana.
How did the disciples respond? Obviously, they were already following Jesus and listening to His teaching. But this miracle marked a turning point; from this point forward, they believed (verse 11b). Can you imagine the wide eyes, open mouths, and racing pulses when they realized what happened? This was more than they could comprehend. They responded in humble belief as they realized they were in the presence of God Himself.
What about us? When we see the powerful hand of God at work, our faith grows stronger. We may not be standing at the stone pots, but we’ve seen loved ones at the altar, medical miracles, relationships restored, hearts mended, peace poured out. We’ve been witnesses to new births — physical and spiritual. We know the power of God to forgive sin and transform lives. We glimpse His glory, and we believe.
Only Jesus can satisfy our deepest needs. Only Jesus can pay the sin debt we owe. Only Jesus can provide peace and joy that overcomes the circumstances of this world. And our God has given His promise to supply all our needs by His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Hallelujah!
About the Writer: Carol Reid lives in Old Hickory, Tennessee, works on the curriculum team at D6 Family Ministry, and serves faithfully at The Donelson Fellowship. She enjoys her children and grandchildren, assorted crafts, bargain shopping, and puzzles of all kinds.
