Water and Wine

On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:1–11 (RSV)

'This, the first of his signs,' 120 to 180 gallons of water into some excellent wine. The steward of the feast had, among his responsibilities, making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. When the wine ran out too early, the murmuring began. People have expectations. If they are not met, then anger is not far behind.

Mary had an expectation when the wine ran out, 'They have no wine.' Why she thought Jesus would be able to do something about the wine shortage is unclear. It may have been she was sharing what she had just heard. She may have had the instinct of a mother that her Son could make a difference.

Jesus was the maker of between 120 and 180 gallons of the best wine folk had ever tasted. The wine saved the wedding. No shame followed the young couple into their future. The guests enjoyed the best wine anyone had ever tasted. A small miracle at the beginning of Jesus' ministry set the stage for what lay ahead.

Water, wine, and bread would be woven into the mercy that Jesus brings to the world. Water and the Word would drown the old Adam within us all so that we might be raised to a new life in Christ.

Wine and bread would become His Body and Blood poured out for many, for the whole world, for the forgiveness that none could merit.

The couple whose wedding feast Jesus blessed with wine no more earned the wine than you or I do when the Holy Sacraments come to us.

No person ever deserves baptism any more than the couple the wine. While Jesus was a guest at the wedding, we are His guests at His Table, invited to feast on Bread and Wine/Body and Blood. His mercy comes by grace so wondrous even the angels of heaven cannot find words to praise it.

The merciful grace of our Lord shapes us, so even in the most broken places, the darkest valley, or the most prolonged hours of the night, we might have reason to celebrate and find joy.