Sep 18, 2009 4 min read

Scripture reading: John 2:1-11. Text: “When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, + the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.'” John 2:9-10. Last week we learned from the miraculous feeding of 4,000 people as the Lord had used only five loaves of bread and two fish. Please remember what was written about the miracles, namely we cannot explain them since the divine power can overrule the law of nature as we know it. Now we wish to learn from another miracle performed by our Master as he had turned the water into wine.

THE ORIENTAL MAN LIKED TO USE THE FEAST AS THE SYMBOL OF LIFE.

In the 23rd Psalm we say: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; + my cup overflows;” the 5th verse.

After the happy return of the prodigal son the father gave the order: “+ let us eat and be merry;” Luke 15:23.

In Matthew 22:2 we read: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, +”

The contrast between the lives of the rich man and Lazarus was underlined by these words: “There was a rich man, who + feasted sumptuously every day.” Luke 16:19.

THE WAY THE DRINK WAS SERVED WAS ALSO TYPICAL OF HOW PEOPLE HAD LIVED.

“Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; +” This philosophy represents the deceiving order of the great feast offered by the fun of the world.

First comes youth and then being old. First comes promising dreams, then painful disappointment. First comes much coveted love, then friction between partners. First comes uplifting expectations, then the letdown of reality. First comes the attractive face and powerful muscles, then gray hair and aching joints + and often we feel as we would sitting at a table prepared for feast by the hostess of pleasure, enjoying food, drink and fellowship among friends.

And suddenly a great change takes place in the atmosphere of this feast, as if a cold wind chilled every laughing heart. The conversation becomes dull, the taste of food unpleasant, the drink bitter, the friendship gives way to hostility, people leave, and we find ourselves among strangers, and there is no fun, feast or joy anymore.

How many people can say: my life is ruined, my hopes are in shambles, my time has been wasted, my dreams shattered, my heart mortally wounded. Life is not worth living anymore. I was misled, mistreated, shortchanged, exploited, blackmailed and, finally, left alone.

JESUS WANTS AND IS ABLE TO CHANGE PEOPLE’S LIVES TODAY AS HE CHANGED THE WATER INTO GOOD WINE AT THE MARRIAGE FEAST AT CANA.

What the steward of the feast had not known was the presence of Mary and her son Jesus. Without much publicity, quietly the best wine became available, through Jesus’ word, for the benefit and happiness of the whole wedding party.

The question here is not HOW had the water turned into wine, but by WHOM? He who could turn water into wine is also able to change sinners into saints!

Let these thoughts be the spiritual food for today we received through the marriage feast at Cana:

n Sin transforms the superior into inferior, Christ in the opposite way.

n This miracle cannot be used to obtain free beverage for our pleasure.

n We need (and this need is essential) Christ to help us to change our spiritual famine into spiritual feast.

n The difference in quality will be obvious at the end.

n “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.'” 5th verse. Salvation is free but obedience to Christ is obvious.

n “Jesus was also invited to the marriage.” 2nd verse. Let the Savior be our cordially invited and warmly welcomed guest, not only to the great events of our lives, but also to our purified heart, daily meals family altar and worship services.

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The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville