John recorded the turning of water into wine at the Canaan wedding as Jesus’ first miracle. It has an indication of Jesus’ purpose for coming in to this world and shows that Jesus is keen on family relations and the institution of marriage. When the wine ran out, Mary brought it to the knowledge of Jesus as she knew the purpose of Jesus’ coming to this world. But Jesus retorts his mother by calling her ‘woman’ and saying that his time had not yet come. Mary passed on instructions to the servants asking them to do whatever he says, no matter how strange it may sound. God’s purpose is fulfilled in an individual’s life only through obedience. Jesus felt in His spirit that the time had come to send His word out. In the whole crowd including the bridegroom no one was in the position to hear his word and obey as they were busy. However the servants were there to obey Jesus’ words.

 ……Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice – 1 Samuel 15:22

The shortage of wine led to confusion and those who earlier praised the bridegroom started cursing him. Jesus was moved with compassion at the state of the bridegroom and wanted to help him. Jesus loves us and wants to make us realise our mistakes. But when we do not realise our mistakes, Jesus takes the initiative to deter us from situations leading us towards sin.

Jesus looked at the six jars of water which was kept for outward cleansing of Jews before they entered. This metaphorically signifies the traditions being followed even today in our churches to become a communicant member. They usually compare righteousness with their fellow members to determine their level of righteousness. In this process often the righteous are tagged as unrighteous and the unrighteous are elevated to the level of righteous.

 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.’ – Proverbs 18:5

Servants were eagerly looking at Jesus to follow his commands. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them,

“Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. – John 2:7-8

The servants were so eager to obey His command that they did not ask even a single question while carrying the water. Maybe they had faith in Jesus seeing the confidence Mary had in him, or they were mere servants of the households and were not in any position to question the commands that were given to them. Once they had obeyed and the water changed into wine, surely they would have believed then. Unlike these servants, we expect the miracle first so that we may believe and obey.

Now as the water had changed into wine, there were no water for outward cleansing. The traditional entry is closed and the cleansing through Jesus Christ’s own blood has started.

In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25

For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. (Hebrew 9:22) and according to 1 John 1:7 the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins.  Those who are cleansed by His blood will always be in the presence of Jesus fixing their eyes on Him.  Isaiah had pictured this beautiful experience ,  `And I said; Woe is me! For  I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’ Isaiah 6:5.  Only the presence of Jesus can make a man to understand what he is? Else man thinks of him, scholar, righteous and Holy.  Paul reminds us that our salvation (forgiveness of sin) is not a one time business but to be renewed day by day.

So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Cor: 4:16.

Their heart will always seek the Lord and they will lack nothing. The bridegroom now has the best with him. The later wine was tastier than the one he had.  Tasteless water has changed into a tastier wine.  A worldly celebration of his wedding has now become a jubilant occasion of his life and a transformation took place.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5: 17

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