A marriage feast is meant to be a time of joy when the friends rejoice with the bride and groom. Jesus and the disciples were invited to such a feast in Galilee, given by the bridegroom.
It was a custom to serve wine, made from grapes, and the host would provide plenty. But at this feast there was not enough.
The mother of Jesus was at that house and when she knew there was no more wine, she told Him. She expected He could supply it, for she believed Him to be the Messiah that would bring all blessings.
The Time for Blessing
As a boy, and as Jesus grew older, He had always obeyed His mother (Luke 2:5151And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (Luke 2:51)); but at this time He had begun the special work as the Son of God. That work was not right for her to direct, as His answer to her showed. And He said, “Mine hour is not yet come.” The time for Him to give all blessings on the earth was still in the future.
There were six large stone jars there, and Jesus told the servants to fill those with water, and they filled them “to the brim,” or full. Then He said to draw out from the jars and serve the “governor,” or honored guest. That man did not know how the wine was obtained, but when he tasted and found it the best wine of all, he spoke to the bridegroom of its goodness.
Joy
The servants and disciples knew who had provided it, and no doubt the rest soon heard. To make water become wine was a miracle that no one else could do. This was the beginning of Jesus’ miracles, and showed His glory. It was a promise beforehand of what He is able to do and will do when the nation of Israel believes on Him. Wine is a symbol of earthly joy, because for a time it makes people feel glad (Ps. 104:15).
He had come to earth to give true and lasting joy, “great joy” as the angel had said when He was born. Those who believed Him to be the promised Messiah, as Mary did, expected there would be no more sorrow, only joy on earth.
But the majority of that nation refused Him, and for that reason have since had great sorrows. Yet it is plain there will be a time of full joy on earth, as written in the prophets and told by Christ, which only He can give (see Zech. 2:10-1210Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 11And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. 12And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. (Zechariah 2:10‑12), Matt. 25:3434Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:34), Luke 21:27-2827And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:27‑28)).
Since Christ was rejected, it has not been a time of full earthly joy for any believers. What they use now of earth’s things are to be for His honor, and “much wine” is one of the things warned against, leaving sorrow, and not joy (Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)).
Further Meditation:
1. What does wine represent in the Bible?
2. What has to happen before there can be full joy on the earth?
3. If you’ve been enjoying thinking about joy you might find Joy by D. F. Rule to be very encouraging.