Invitation Leads to Miracle

The American Bible Society listed Jesus’ miracle of making wine from plain water as one of the most popular. 

While inscribing John’s Gospel, this context dissects every piece of information found in the story. The objective is to uncover vital truths of the first miracle of Jesus and its effect on our faith.

Listed below are 21 incredible facts about Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine.

1 – The wine He made wasn’t fermented.

Jesus’ “water-into-wine” miracle has been stirring controversy among scholars. They argue over the special wine’s nature, whether alcoholic or not.

The issue all started with using the word “wine.” The original Greek word used is “oinos.” It refers to the wine in John chapter 2, which has no clear distinction between fermented or unfermented. The vagueness started the differing interpretations, leading to some Christians tolerating mild alcohol drinking.

But, God’s Word puts an end to this controversy. The wine Jesus used was unfermented or non-alcoholic. 

Proverbs 20:1 vehemently rejects the drinking of fermented wine. There is absolutely no way Jesus could forget that. He who created our anatomy and physiology ‘wonderfully and fearfully’ knows the harmful effects of fermented wine. 

Taking note of the wedding party’s length was—one week or more—a fermented beverage would indeed cause trouble for everybody. One big issue would be liver problems. God created our livers to filter out impurities from our blood. The alcohol from a fermented drink makes the organ work overtime and may cause failure. We have witnessed the increasing number of people affected by liver cirrhosis related to alcohol intake.

Other adverse effects of fermented drink intake include sulfite reactions for those who have allergies, which can be deadly in the form of anaphylaxis! Another is migraine headache due to tannins and phenolic flavonoids found in the grape skin. Weight gain could pose a problem due to empty calories and triglycerides. Breast cancer, among others, could be triggered by fermented drinks.

Would Jesus want to see His people suffer these miseries by making a fermented wine? He said clearly in John 10:10 that He came to this earth that humankind may have abundant life.

2 – It was Jesus’ first miracle.

The event in Cana was the first recorded miracle of Jesus, as stated in John chapter 2. 

Many Bible scholars argue on the specific pattern of Jesus’ miracles due to His many undocumented works. Some say that the Gospel accounts weren’t arranged in chronology. The selection of Cana to be the venue of Christ’s first miracle adds to the matter’s ambiguity. 

Bible scholars point to the close geographical proximity of Nazareth, Cana, and Capernaum. 

Nevertheless, we can obtain some specific clues leading to the first miracle. John the Baptist had just baptized Jesus. The Holy Spirit leads Him in the wilderness; He was tempted by the devil three times. Then along with His five disciples, they went to Cana for a wedding.

From His baptism to victory over temptation, we can say Jesus is more than prepared to start His ministry. And though “it wasn’t yet the perfect time for an official start,” He performed a miracle to grant His mother’s request. 

3 – It shows the uniqueness of the Gospel of John. 

Interestingly, only the Gospel of John records Jesus’ first miracle. 

John’s Gospel is unique compared to the first three “Synoptic Gospels.” The books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain parallel events of Jesus’ miracles. 

Notable Bible scholar Moody Smith of Bible Review has a contrasting opinion regarding the timeline and authorship of John’s Gospel. For him, John is more ambiguous than the first three. Kirk MacGregor of MacPherson College agrees with the observation.

Famous evangelist Mark Finley writes in his Adventist Lesson study guides, “The Gospel of John is the crown jewel of the Gospel narratives.” 

Instead of focusing on history, John concentrated on Jesus’ divinity, His equality with God, and His role as Creator.

This fascinating biblical account by John introduces the uniqueness of Jesus as a person and His redemptive mission. 

4 – John calls it a “sign” instead of a miracle.

John could have used some compelling words to elevate the phenomenon further. But he used “sign” instead of “miracle.” 

In the same verse, John says, “He revealed His glory.” The miracle at Cana is a prelude to more revelations of Jesus’ glory in His ministry with them.

While it is a miracle for the guests at the wedding, it’s a sign for His disciples. More so, it is a part of the countless proofs that He is the Messiah.

5 – Only Jesus, Mary, the servants, and the disciples knew how the water turned to wine.

As far as the entire chapter of John 2 is concerned, only a few people knew what exactly happened. Only Jesus, Mary, His disciples, and the servants witnessed the truth.

The guests were only concerned about the wine. They did not bother to feed their curiosity as to how the wine came to be.

The seemingly private act of Jesus might relate to His statements, “My hour has not come.” 

The miracle at Cana is a significant part of the everlasting Gospel of Jesus being proclaimed worldwide today!

6 – Jesus showed He reads minds. 

The turning of water into wine wasn’t the only power demonstration Jesus presented. He showed that He reads minds too!

When Mary sought Jesus’ help on the shortage of wine, Jesus answered, “My time has not yet come.”

According to Ellen White in her book Desire of Ages chapter 15, Jesus was replying to Mary’s unspoken thought. Like any ordinary person, she longed that He would show Himself as Messiah and King to replace the Romans.

By realizing Jesus’ words, Mary understood that His reign as King hasn’t yet come. He came as a man of sorrow instead. It prompted her faith to strengthen more. 

7 – Mary was called a “woman” instead of “mother.”

In God’s original plan of creation, men and women are equal. Adam and Eve received and shared blessings from God; they were given fair responsibilities. 

As time went by, the male member abused his authority reaching far into marriage, including women’s subjugation. 

The practice of polygamy had further downgraded the status of women. 

Famous American rabbi Alfred J Kolatch shares something interesting about his research. His ‘The Second Book of Jewish Why’ stressed that women in biblical times were far equal to Jewish men. Even in law, women’s inferiority is expressed. However, women were morally respected. Nonetheless, men dominate every aspect of society back in biblical times. 

In His miracle at Cana, Jesus addresses Mary “Woman.” While it may sound “disrespectful” to us, the Greek interpretations explain the opposite. “‘Woman,’ or, rather, ‘Lady,’ is in Greek a title of respect, used in addressing queens.” In today’s word, “woman” is the same as calling “madam,” a formal title for women.

This treatment of women is what Liberty University Theology professor James Borland describes as revolutionary. 

Jesus restored the original status of women as equal to men. His interaction with women, particularly His address to Mary, elevated the dignity of women. 

8 – It demonstrates Jesus’ authority over science.

The miracle at Cana had drawn irk among the scientific community. The wonder of turning water into wine seemed impossible by modern science and reality. 

According to chemistry professor Dr Clifford of the University of Sioux Falls, water in its base form comprises hydrogen and oxygen. Wine is composed of sugars, yeast, and water. Chemical elements include carbon and nitrogen, along with water. By converting water to wine, Jesus commanded atomic particles to change their structure!

It bypassed the fundamental laws of the chemical reaction, going beyond human comprehension! It is one of the unimaginable proofs that God’s power and authority are beyond the reach of science!

9 – It is a manifestation of God’s blessing.

Jesus could have just made an ordinary wine similar to the one that ran out. Yet, He chose to turn water into the finest wine! 

He not only made wine of the best quality. But He made lots of it when He could just produce enough!

The abundance of wine demonstrates the overflowing blessings of God. It reminds us of God’s grace when He grants what we ask. It is guaranteed to be of the highest quality, just like the finest wine at Cana.

10 – Mary exemplifies how to exercise faith.

Mary sets the tone of exercising faith right before Jesus in person. After all, only God can measure our faith regardless of what manner or method we will exercise it.

Mary demonstrates that to have faith in God is to obey Him by following His commands. Had she not told the servants to follow what Jesus says, the first miracle would happen elsewhere. The fantastic account would never happen.

11 – It was a demonstration of God’s power.

To convert water to wine requires a highly complex process and machinery, let alone time and energy requirement. 

The phenomenon demonstrates His power’s reach, encompassing heaven and earth, including subatomic particles. Yes, lifeless objects follow His command.

His power is beyond the boundaries of time and natural laws. 

12 – God’s miracles work best when we do our parts.

The miracle at Cana shows that God’s blessing works best when we do our part. Indeed, God can do everything alone without humans or angels helping. But because miracles are for human consumption, we have to do our parts. It is for us to glorify God by witnessing His power working in us.

God could have snapped or winked to create the wine. Yet God allows man’s participation in the process. The result yielded the finest wine and a witness for Jesus by those servants and His disciples.

13 – It proves that when God performs miracles, perfection goes all the way.

Jesus ordered the jars used for washing to be containers for the wine He is about to make. While it is unhygienic to think of, Jesus’ power makes it not a big deal. God’s ways are always perfect. The same goes for His methods. 

When Christ refined the water, He also turned its container sanitarily fit. His perfection guarantees that the wine passes all food safety protocols. Nobody complained about the wine’s preparation protocols despite the Jewish “extreme sanitary rules”. It only proves that God’s perfect work is not only at the finished product but also in the process of crafting it.

The miracle at Cana not only shows the abundance and quality of God’s blessings. It ensures that His perfect ways make it safe for consumption.

14 – Marriage customs of Jewish is expensive.

Take note of this interesting comment from UCLA Senior Jewish Educator Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. He states that families would rather take out large loans to keep up the Jewish communal norm of extravagant weddings. Amounts range from $100,000-$300,000. 

The wedding at Cana displays the extravagance of Jewish wedding celebrations. It could last for seven weeks, depending on the groom’s financial capability. 

Another essential feature of the event was the hospitality of the Middle East culture. So much so that the anxiety of running out of wine is a disgrace of honour. 

Jesus upholds family honour and hospitality by working a miracle to restore the supply. 

15 – Jesus subtly rebukes hypocritical practices of the church of eating.

Christ used the “unhygienic jars” as containers for food or drink to go inside the body. Here, Jesus sends silent but blatant rebuke against overrated traditions, especially by church leaders.

At that time, the church leaders regarded food’s cleanliness as a matter of eternal life or suffering in hell. 

The miracle at Cana marks the unofficial start of Jesus’ ministry. The message at Cana states, “anything that goes into the stomach doesn’t defile a man. But disobedience to His words through slander and misdeeds does.”

16 – The water into wine miracle symbolizes the spiritual dryness of Israel.

The running out of wine at the banquet and the subsequent miracle offers rich theological symbolism.

The running out of wine symbolizes the spiritual dryness of Israel. Their stubbornness and association with the pagans made them disobey the commandments of God. They diluted God’s teaching to accommodate their unwarranted traditions. 

The catastrophic result was cutting off the abundance they once had under God’s favour.

The refill from plain water symbolizes the ministry of Christ. His Words of salvation will make anyone quenched of thirst for good and restore blessings from God.

17 – It points to Jesus’ blood. 

During the last supper, Jesus reminds His disciples that the wine symbolizes His blood. At Gethsemane, He talks of the bitter wine that represents His suffering. But the most refined wine was at the wedding at Cana.

Prophets Jeremiah and Amos connote wine as abundance.

The miraculous story tells us: The blood of Christ who endured suffering but never yielded to sin. That turns out to be humanity’s saving grace, thus making it the finest wine.

18 – Jesus’ attendance at the wedding stamps His blessing of marriage.

Jesus’ attendance at the wedding shows His approval of the event. The serious work of His ministry didn’t prevent Jesus from participating in such a joyous reception. 

It is noteworthy that the first wedding was first held at the Garden of Eden. It marked the climax of the union of the first man and woman. 

The ultimate final wedding will be between Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom, and the remnant church, His bride.

Jesus’ presence at the wedding in Cana proves His strong endorsement and unchanged stance of marriage. 

19 – The first miracle was something Jesus did not plan to do. 

When Mary was asking, Jesus’ reply was, “Why thou involve Me”? 

Only in John chapter 12 He officially declares the arrival of His time. Nevertheless, Jesus heeds to the call of His earthly mother for help. It may not be the grand showcase of His power. But it was still a perfect moment to manifest His glory as a generous God. 

The first miracle serves as a teaser of the more glory to come.

20 – That might be the finest wine ever!

From the side of the banquet master, we can also infer that Jesus’ wine was not fermented. He exclaimed that the wine was the best as compared to the drink served earlier! 

US National Institute of Health researchers Denise L. Evert and Marlene Oscar-Berman stated that cognitive abilities associated with alcohol are significantly reduced. Significant effects include slow processing of information, difficulty in learning, and recognizing material. But the host clearly confirmed and acknowledged the distinct wine from Jesus.

 As modern Christians, faith would make us confident that Christ-made wine was the finest in the world. It is only because the Winemaker is also the Creator of the universe. 

Back then, the proclamation of the banquet master might be the “Guinness Book of The Finest Wine Records” at that time. 

The extravagance level and the celebration’s length could only mean that the groom was wealthy enough to afford such an extended celebration. We can assume that he could afford all the finest wine at the time. Judging from the early emptying of the one-week stock proves such.

The guests exclaimed that the last served beverage was the best. They did not mean during that wedding only but in the entire world.

21 – The miracle at Cana creates a clear distinction between magic and miracle.

Magic and miracles are separate things. Jesus’ benefit at Cana justifies the divide. A work of magic cannot make water into wine unless it’s from demonic power or out of pagan sorcery.

Some magic is illusional, while some are associated with demonic power. Magic never deviates from the natural laws. 

Researchers from the University College London and US colleagues from Princeton University have located the brain’s parietal cortex as key to perceiving magic tricks.

Miracles only come from God. No more, no less! They can work beyond the reach of science and natural laws and even time! Which explains its love and hate relationship within the scientific community. 

The great thing is that there are influential scientists who believe in God’s miracle. Francis Collins of the US National Institute of Health is one of them. 

A person experiencing a miracle has only praises and thanks to God. It manifests the glory of God. And though magic may look “supernatural,” it will always be pale compared to the extent of the miracle from God.