Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
In His Footsteps Week 5: Turning Water into Wine
In the fifth week of the "In His Footsteps" devotional series on the "In His Words" podcast, host Charles Vance delves into the transformative miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana, as recounted in John 2:1-11. This episode explores the theological implications and the symbolic richness of Jesus' first recorded miracle, underscoring themes of transformation, new creation, and the inauguration of a new covenant. Charles highlights the significance of Jesus' intervention during a social crisis at the wedding, interpreting this as an indication of Jesus' authority over traditional rituals and His introduction of grace surpassing the old laws.
The miracle at Cana not only emphasizes Jesus' divine power to transform and provide abundantly but also serves as a profound metaphor for His transformative work in the lives of believers, turning the ordinary into extraordinary. The episode further explores the roles of Mary and the servants at the wedding, illustrating the power of faith and obedience in facilitating divine actions. Jesus' miraculous transformation of water into the finest wine symbolizes the abundant life and blessings He offers, surpassing old covenant practices with new covenant grace.
For those inspired by this episode and wishing to delve deeper into the life and teachings of Jesus through the "In His Footsteps" devotional series, you can purchase your copy on Amazon. This series promises to enrich your spiritual journey, offering new insights into the transformative power of faith in Christ. Let this be an invitation to explore further and embrace the changes He can make in your life. Click here to get your copy and join us in walking closely with Jesus.
Hello and welcome. Happy Sabbath. I'm Charles Vance and I'm your host in the In His Words podcast. We're heading into the fifth week of In His Footsteps devotion. This is turning water to wine and the passage this week is John 2, 1 through 11.
Speaker 1:And again reading from the King James. And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. And again reading from the King James Woman what have I to do with you? My hour has not yet come. His mother said unto the servants Whatever he says, do do.
Speaker 1:And there were set out six waterpots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. And Jesus said to them Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them to the brim. And he said Draw out the water and bear to the governor the feast. And they bore it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was. But the servants knew. The governor of the feast called the bridegroom and he said to him Every man at the beginning sets forth the best wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worst, but you have kept the best until now.
Speaker 1:In the beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth. Let's pray, father, we praise you and we thank you for your mercy and goodness, that you have allowed us to be your children, that you've given us the great gift of your Holy Spirit to transform our lives. We just pray for an open heart, an open mind and open ears to hear your word and to perceive it. We just pray that the washing of the water of the word would cleanse us of all iniquity and unrighteousness, all evil thought, that we would be able to set apart our minds for your glory, that we would be truly transformed in your word, in Yeshua's name, amen. So John 2, 1-11 recounts the first of the signs that he performed turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Now this passage not only marks the beginning of his miraculous ministry, but also reveals several layers of theological significance, embodying the themes of transformation, new creation and inauguration of a new covenant. So let's delve into that.
Speaker 1:First, the wedding at Cana. The event takes place on the third day, a detail that may echo the resurrection. Jesus, his mother and his disciples are present at a wedding when the wine runs out an embarrassing social faux pas for the hosting family, highlighting human inadequacy and need. Mary's role. Now, mary informs Jesus of the situation and she said they have no wine. Her statement, while simple, sets the stage for his intervention, showcasing his faith and ability to address the need. His response, however, is what do I have to do with you? My hour hasn't come. And that speaks to a broader message and timing, beyond the immediate hinting at his crucifixion and glorification. So, essentially, he's just saying this isn't my wedding. I have no responsibility here. Why are you asking me to do this? I, you know I haven't, but it wasn't a, it wasn't a harsh thing. That seems kind of harsh, but it really wasn't. It was like what, what do you want me to do? But he did it, and she asked him to and he did it.
Speaker 1:So, at his instruction, the servants filled six stone water pots that were used for Jewish purification rites and they filled them with water. And then he turns it into wine. The sign is not just a miraculous provision, but symbolizes the transformative power of his ministry, bringing joy and abundance out of ritual and scarcity. Not only that, he proves his authority over the rituals and the laws that were completely made up authority over the rituals and the laws that were completely made up. There's this purification and the Jewish rituals of purification. There's nothing in the Torah about that. That's all oral Torah. That's all the Torah of the Pharisees, the Takenot, the things they made up.
Speaker 1:They were obsessive about ritual purity, and so in ancient Judea, when water had the very hint of a taste of wine, it was considered unclean. And the way they would purify it is they would take the vessel filled with water and they would dip it into this very large purification pot until the lip of the pot that had been dipped in touched the water in the pot that had been dipped in, touched the water in the pot, and then they would jerk it out and that would be considered purified. Well, here's Yeshua taking the very water, the purification water, and turning it into the most unclean substance there was. So I mean, he's like they had no idea. He was basically taunting them, showing his authority over them. They would have been outraged, they would have been furious if they had known where that water, where that wine, had come from.
Speaker 1:So the master of the feast remarked that, unlike the usual practice of serving wine, the best first, the best had been saved for last. So that comment, while reflecting on the quality of the wine, also suggests the superiority of the new covenant over the old. So the things he does, he makes perfect. When he turns water to wine, it's not just any wine, it's perfect wine. When he touches you, when he changes your life, it's perfect. You're a new creature in him and in the spirit you're perfect. You've been perfected. Now we just have to have the confidence to walk forth and to step out our faith that you know the new life that we've been given Now.
Speaker 1:The theological significance is the sign of the new covenant. So the miracle at Cana is rich in symbolic meaning. It points to the inauguration of a new covenant. The transformation of the water into wine foreshadows a transformative work of the gospel turning old into new, turning law into grace, the book of the law into the covenant. Yeshua, the book of the law, these rituals that they were having to do, the whole idea of the blood of bulls, goats, lambs and rams every year as a down payment on their salvation. They had to have a priest take that into the altar every year. And here we have. That being ended.
Speaker 1:The, the ministry priesthood of jesus is the melancholic priest, forever, priest, and what he does is once and for all. He's the lamb of god and when his blood is applied, it's. You don't have to do it again Now. Fulfillment and abundance. The abundance and quality of the wine signify the abundant life and superior blessings found in Christ. It suggests that what he brings is not only different but surpasses what came before. It also shows His authority and glory. The sign reveals His divine authority over nature, his capacity to bring about transformation, and it unveils his glory and it leads his disciples to believe in him. The miracle is also a sign and a revelation, so it increased their faith. They saw him do something that was completely supernatural. Now, the lessons that we can glean from that, from this passage, is significance of faith and obedience, transformation and new beginnings, and his authority over creation. So the story emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus and obedience to his instructions as avenues through which God's work is manifested. Mary's faith and servant's obedience, even without understanding the full picture, highlight the power of trust and action in response to His word. His mother said to the servants do whatever he tells you, john 2.5.
Speaker 1:In Transformation and New Beginnings, the miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana not only showcases His miraculous power, but also symbolizes this transformative work. Miraculous power, but also symbolizes this transformative work. He performs this transformative work in our lives, converting the ordinary into the extraordinary, the natural into the supernatural. And this is all new beginnings in him. John 2.9,. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine and did not know where it came from. But the servants knew, the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine, but you kept the best wine until now. This is his authority over creation. The sign not only demonstrates his ability to perform miracles but also serves as a testament to his divine authority over creation, reinforcing his identity as a son to his divine authority over creation, reinforcing his identity as a son of God incarnate with power over the natural world. In John 2.11,. This is the first of his signs. Jesus did at Cana, in Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
Speaker 1:Now let's ask some questions and have some reflection and discussion time. Reflect on the significance of this miracle being the first sign Jesus performs. How does it set the stage for understanding his mission and identity. Well, if you look at it that way, it's a miracle of transformation. It's a miracle of authority over creation and it proves, it's evidence, that he has the authority and the power to transform his creation from fallen and depraved to new and restored.
Speaker 1:Discuss the symbolism of water and wine in the context of this miracle. What does it reveal about the nature of his ministry in the kingdom of God? The symbolism is transformative. It shows changing from one thing to another, in this case from water to wine. But in our case, he changes us from, you know, depraved and fallen to a new creature that has new eyes and new ears to hear and to see the things that are supernatural from God. How does the manifestation of his glory in this sign impact the disciples' faith? Well, it increased their faith.
Speaker 1:So how does witnessing Jesus' works in your own life strengthen your faith? It should strengthen our faith, increase our faith. When you see evidence that he's working in your life, doing things, even small things, you know that there is a God and it increases your faith. You know that there is a God and it increases your faith. So in what ways does this miracle demonstrate his concern for human needs and his willingness to provide abundantly. Because he did it. He had no obligation to do it, but he did it out of care for his mother and of care for the situation, and he did it abundantly. He didn't just make any wine, he made perfect wine, and that's what he does when he transforms us it abundantly. He didn't just make any wine, he made perfect wine, and that's what he does when he transforms us it's perfect.
Speaker 1:Consider Mary's role in the event. What can we learn from her example about faith and obedience to Jesus? She didn't question, she just said do it. Whatever he says, do it. And if we will do that in our lives, don't question him. And if we will do that in our lives, don't question him. When you have a revelation, an understanding from the word of how to act and what you should do and what you have at peace with, do that and trust God that he'll do the rest.
Speaker 1:Now here are the suggested prayers for this week. This is a prayer for his presence in our needs. Prayers for this week. This is a prayer for His presence in our needs. Lord Jesus, in every moment of our lives, in joy and in need, we invite your presence, just as you graced the wedding at Cana with your miraculous power. Grace our lives with your loving care. We trust in your concern for our needs, both great and small. Teach us to bring every concern to you, believing in your power to provide and your heart to sustain us. May we find in you our greatest joy and sufficient provision. Amen.
Speaker 1:Here's a prayer for transformation and renewal. Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to transform our water into wine, to turn our ordinary into extraordinary. We ask for your transformative power to work within us, renewing our hearts and minds. Lead us into new beginnings where old things pass away and all things become new. In Christ, help us to live out the new life you've given us, marked by your grace and overflowing with your love. May our lives reflect the beauty of your work in us.
Speaker 1:Amen, and this is a prayer for faith and obedience. Holy Spirit, guide us in faith and obedience, as you did with the servants at Cana when Jesus speaks. Give us the courage to act even when we do not understand. Strengthen our faith to believe in the extraordinary things you can do with our simple acts of obedience. Help us to trust in Jesus' perfect timing, knowing that he is always working for our good and in His glory, may our lives be a testament to the power of faith and the fruit of obedience, amen. I hope these words and these prayers have been a blessing to you and that you found some spiritual food for the week, something to contemplate and draw on as you move toward transforming your life and closer walk with Yeshua Jesus, and it's my prayer that you'll be here next week and I'll see you next time.
