This story found in John is one that has been examined and retold thousands of times. Let’s look at it from a different perspective than we may have considered before now. What is this story about? Is it about the wine? Is it about how Jesus talked with His mother and how she responded to Him? Is it about the fact that Jesus provided something good for His friends?

John 2:11 (NIV) 1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then He called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

When we approach this story, what do we see? On the surface we see that the wedding has been going well up until this point. They have had plenty to celebrate, plenty to eat and drink. But now the wine has all been consumed and there is now a conundrum. What do the servants do to save their master from disgrace? How does Jesus get involved? He knows what’s going on, so why is it His mother that pulls Him into solving the problem?

The First Sign

John has a reason he starts with this “sign” of Jesus’ Godhood. He has come to bring life, yes, but water also brings life. So why does he change the perfectly good water into wine? Water is good, it wasn’t even dirty water because the water used to fill the ritual washing pitchers wasn’t going to be dirty. This water was a symbol of the life-giving water that is provided by God through His law. Jesus transformed this life-giving water into wine that is given to guests when a celebration and special occasion is happening. The water is a symbol of life, while wine is a symbol of joy, abundance and celebration. This isn’t about wine that we might consider good or bad. Look beyond this to see what the wine represented: the joy-filled, abundant celebration that was happening at the wedding. Jesus wanted this celebration to continue so He intervened and provided for them.

Abundant Life

Jesus was showing them that there is more to this life than just surviving the grueling realities of life. There is abundant life if we live in Him. When we abide in Him and He abides in us, we are filled with joy, abundance and celebration because He has transformed our desire into His desires.

John 15:7 (NAS) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Christian joy springs from realizing that once we have made the decision to drink the living water of Christ, that water becomes wine as it touches our lips. That we serve a God whose name is not duty but Love. It brings not just life but abundant life. Life is a good gift from God, but He doesn’t stop the blessing at life. He wants to bless us with abundant life and good things from Him. We know these are good things because this life is difficult and full of challenges, disappointments, and heartbreak. Jesus wants us to see that when we have life in Him, we are walking through these things with Him and with His joy and strength.

Jeremiah 8:10b (NAS) for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Jesus Gives the Best

Another thing to consider is that Jesus gave them the best wine for the celebration. It didn’t matter that the celebration was almost over. He provided the best wine for the festivities. He is going to give the best because that is who He is. He will give the best of Himself because He fulfills the greatest need in each of us. God doesn’t want us to give up on life. Jesus shows us that we have this abundant life just waiting for us.

Jesus Gives Abundant Life

How do we tap into this abundant life? Do we look at this abundant life as a sacrifice of self for His pleasure? I say no, not really. When we abide in Him, our desires shift from selfish desires to embracing His desires. When we feel that God is calling us to an act of obedience, He gives us pleasure and joy when we step out in faith to accomplish whatever He has called us to do. We can get confused because we believe that it must be an act of sacrifice and self-denial, but God says that He has called us to the hard things in life because He has equipped us for such a time as this. We are not only living for His pleasure, but He is giving us pleasure and joy in His calling. This is true abundant life because we are fulfilled, affirmed and loved when we are obedient and desire to accomplish God’s will.