Water to Wine

Have you ever prayed for a miracle? I’m not necessarily talking about a big miracle like the healing of a family member on the brink of death. I’m talking about little miracles like, “O Lord, please let that traffic light stay green.” Or “Jesus, please let me find a parking place close to the door.” Or “Jesus, please help me get an A on tomorrow’s test.”

A teen driver, shortly after getting his driver’s license wrecked his daddy’s new car. The accident tore away the front fender, two doors and the rear fender. After the teen checked to make sure everyone was okay, he stood in the ditch next to the car and prayed, “Dear God, I pray that this didn’t just happen.” But when he opened his eyes he saw that the car was still wrecked.

Most of us have asked God to change the weather, or ignore the laws of gravity, or undo the past for our convenience. So, we can appreciate Jesus’ experience at a wedding in the city of Cana.

For the Jews of Jesus’ day, wine represented life and abundance. It was an integral part of any celebration—especially a wedding. So, if there was no more wine then there was no more party. That is exactly what happened. The wedding celebration was flopping because they had run out of wine.

Jesus’ mother realized the dilemma and brought it to Jesus’ attention, apparently wanting him to do something about it. At first, Jesus resisted his mother because he did not want to dole out miracles like party favors simply for convenience sake.

Eventually, Jesus did perform his first public miracle by turning water into wine, thus saving this important celebration. I think he did this for two reasons. (1) He had compassion for the wedding couple. Who wants to see an unhappy bride on her wedding day? (2) But secondly, this miracle—the first of many—would serve to build the faith of his disciples and us.

The true significance of this miracle can be found at the end of the story when we are told, “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).

God gives us all experiences that help to build up our faith. They may be miraculous experiences or mountaintop experiences with God, but they are given to us so that when we come to those difficult times…when our prayers seem to go unanswered…we can still say with confidence, “I know God is with me, because God has been with me before.”

May your faith be always strengthened by the assurance of God’s presence.

Tim Hobbs, Pastor

Can you share some of your special experiences with God?