Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Deeper Teaching by Kenton Cheek

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 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 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.”

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.

After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.”

I’ve often wondered whose wedding this was.  It shows a lot about Jesus and His disciples that they would all be invited.  To me it means they were reputable, the sort of people you would like to have at a party with family and friends.  When you think of the diverse crowd that was the original followers of Jesus: fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot; it is remarkable that they formed a team let alone were invited to a wedding as a group. Not only did Jesus make wine for the party, it was the best wine, but that’s a subject for another time!

It is important to note that this was the first miracle Jesus performed.  The importance lies with the pattern that the Lord set for us as His disciples.  Though He had no sin to repent of, He was baptized in water by His cousin John the Baptist and the Holy Spirit came upon Him.  After that, He did everything in His ministry by the power and Presence of the Spirit, setting a perfect example for us to follow.  We are to be truly born again and then live our lives empowered by the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did.  In this way we will fulfill His prophecy found in John 14, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

The divinity of the ministry of Jesus was confirmed by signs and wonders, the greatest of which was His resurrection.   ^“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.”  To increase faith and confirm His Word, His Gospel, and glorify the Father were three main purposes of His miracles.  As we function in His authority by the power of His Spirit, may we remember that we are not building our own little kingdoms, but His.  The authority and power we have is not our own.  We are to use the fruit and gifts of the Spirit to point to Jesus and thus glorify our Father in Heaven. 

“Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life.  Cleanse me spiritually with the blood of Jesus.  Pour out Your anointing upon me so that I can live in such a way that encourages faith in You and Your Good News to the glory of our Father.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

—Acts 14:3