John 2:1-121And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. 12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. (John 2:1‑12)
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 pride 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, expecting He could supply it, for she believed Him the Messiah to bring all blessings.
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, which it 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.
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.
The servants and disciples knew Who had provided it, and no doubt the rest soon heard, for to make water become wine was a miracle, no one else could do. This was the beginning of Jesus’ miracles, and showed His glory; it was as a promise before, of what He is able to do and will do when the nation Israel believe Him. For wine is a symbol of earthly joy, because for a time it makes people feel glad (Ps. 104:15).
But He had come to earth to give true and lasting joy, as the angel. said when He was born, the news was “of great joy”. Those who believed Him the promised Messiah, as Mary, expected there would be no more sorrow, only joy on earth.
But the most 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 (as 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 all who believe Him, and what they use of earth’s things are to be in 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).
ML 02/06/1946