In the gospel of John, there are seven miracles which are commonly known as signs. These signs have a structural duty in the first portion of the book of John. As a result, the book is referred to as the book of signs. John presents the signs with important material that expand upon the seven signs. He said that the aim of the signs was to get people convinced that Christ Jesus was God’s son (John 20:30-31). The wedding at Cana of Galilee was the first sign that Jesus gave in the gospel of John. The sign presents the first miracle performed by Jesus in a wedding at Cana of Galilee. Jesus had attended the wedding with his disciples and family members. In the course of celebration, it turned out that the wine prepared wasn’t enough and there was need to provide more. Jesus intervened and water filled in six jars turned into wine. It is estimated that each of the jars had a capacity of 80-120 liters. In this study, I hope to discuss the first sign and explain how it reveals Jesus.
In his introduction of the first sign, John informs his audience that the miracle carries a hidden meaning that connects with the meaning of the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. In the second verse, John explains that Jesus attended the wedding with his disciples and mother. The fact that Jesus did not attend the wedding alone but was accompanied by his twelve disciples may show that the miracle signified an establishment of a new Israel. Just as two individuals were joined together into a new relationship, Jesus came to bring human beings into a relationship with one another and with God the Father. Marriage is a known metaphor symbolizing the relationship between God and His people as seen in the Old Testament. In this sign, John probably wanted to show readers that the miracle performed by Jesus at the wedding showed a reaffirmation and an increase of the relationship that God developed with Abraham.
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In verse three, John presents a very serious issue. Weddings in the Jewish community lasted for several days or one week and therefore, there was need for large amounts of wine. Wine running out was a very serious issue because it brought disgrace to the bridegroom. The fact that wine was running out at the wedding disturbed Mary, mother of Jesus that she had to seek the intervention of Jesus in order to save the situation and prevent embarrassment to the groom. Initially, the way Jesus addressed his mother after she came to Him for help appears somehow enigmatic and not respectful.
In verses four and five, He addressed His mother as ‘woman’. He further asked her why she wanted him participate in the issue. At this point, John does not explain why Mary was concerned about the wine running out but from the look of things there is a probability that she was involved in catering. The question that Jesus asked his mother could have implied two things: either Jesus was not interested or he was surprised by having her look for intervention from him. It is clear that Mary had faith that Jesus was able to help but it is not clear if she was actually expecting a miracle. In this situation, it is evident that Mary knew that her son was special and unique.
Most people would have expected that Jesus would call Mary ‘mother’ instead of ‘woman’. Jesus used the term intentionally and for a reason. Jesus did not deny his human relationship but presented the fact that his earthly relationship with his mother was not so much important than Mary’s association with him as Savior. This showed that the fact that she was a parent to Jesus did not add advantage to her and she had to have a repentant faith like others. The work that Jesus would accomplish on the cross would be for her salvation too. This also depicted that Jesus was not acting under parental authority but that from God the Father.
In the second part of verse four, Jesus states that his time is not yet and this presents several meanings. From this verse, it is evident that Jesus knew very well that his work would be completed on the cross and the miracle of changing water into wine was just an illustration to it. Jesus had not completed his work, he had only begun. He understood his mission on earth and knew that it is only through his death and resurrection that human kind would be reconciled back to God and therefore completes his work. In addition, it also meant that he was informing his mother that his actions were divinely planned and did everything according to the will of his Father. His life and actions were not influenced by human will/guidance but by God who sent Him.
Towards the end of the chapter, Jesus cleansed the temple and was requested to explain why he did so. His audience was seeking the basis of Jesus’ authority and wanted to see a miracle for a sign. In response, Jesus said that he would bring down the temple and rebuild it after three days. By saying so, Jesus was speaking about his coming death and resurrection as his authority sign. The two situations clearly point to the death of Jesus and John’s aim was to present to the readers both events in the context of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The miracle of turning water into wine and temple cleaning allude to the fact that Jesus would accomplish his work through his death and resurrection.
In John 1:5, Mary came to Jesus for help as his mother. However, she responded to his words/directions in faith and asked the servants to do what Jesus said. She understood his authority over everyone. The words she spoke to the servants also showed that she had realized that Jesus was able to bring a solution to a tough situation. This understanding/realization portrayed by Mary would finally turn into the faith possessed by the Church of Christ when they completely believed in the death of Jesus as the only way of dealing with the sin of humankind.
In John 1:6-7, water contained in six jars was turned into wine. According to the Jewish law and traditions, people were to wash their hands prior taking meals as a sign of cleansing. The containers were to be cleansed too. The wedding guests were proved worthy by undergoing the ritual cleansing done using the water contained in the jars. The jars were made of stone to prevent uncleanliness/contamination.
This sign is very symbolic and has a concealed meaning below the words used by John in this narrative. There are Bible commentators who propose that the number of jars used has significance. They claim that the number six signifies inadequacy in the Jewish cleansing rituals because six is below seven the number of perfection. If the symbolism suggested is true, it them links well with the meaning of the first sign which propose that it is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus can one be completely purified. There is no other way by which human beings can receive salvation and enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb offered by God except through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
In John 1:8-10 Jesus ordered the servants to pour water into the jars until full to the brim. Following the directives given by Jesus, they took some out of the jars and presented it to the individual in charge who confirmed that the water had indeed turned into wine. Upon tasting the wine, the person in charge called the groom aside to congratulate him for preserving the best wine. The wine was now more than enough for the feast. This also points back to the fact that the death and resurrection of Jesus would replace the sanctification rites that were not adequate in the Jewish culture. In addition, it eluded to the fact that communion with God the Father for all would be realized through the death of Jesus on the cross just like the wine became sufficient for all.
John 2:11 brings to an end the first sign by stating that the glory of Jesus is made manifest and faith become possible. In actual sense, it is not the miracle performed that is so much important but the meaning in it. Faith is not realized through reaction to a supernatural action but through understanding Jesus. The unseen character of God the Father is presented through the miracle explained. The sign brings out a strong message that explains who Jesus is and his mission on earth. He came to reconcile human beings to God through his death on the cross and resurrection. By doing so, Jesus would bring human beings into a new union with God just like the new union of marriage at Cana. In this new union with Go d, the church of Christ/believers is the bride. Therefore, the wedding at Cana is not just meant to present who Jesus is but also symbolize the union that people would enter into with God through Jesus the Christ.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the common metaphor showing the relationship between God and Israel in the Old Testament is marriage. It is therefore of great significance that the first miracle performed by Jesus was at a wedding ceremony. This narrative presents the covenant relationship that was initiated by God with Abraham deepening and realized throughout the earth through Christ Jesus. The wedding situation is used to present a meaning that is related to eschatology. The banquet idea is used to show a period when the kingdom of God the Father will be completely achieved and it points to the wedding feast of the lamb.
