Jesus turned water into wine – Devotional | John 2:1-11

With God’s help we completed the study of the Gospel of John, chapter 1. We learned that Jesus Christ is God, that He dwelt among men, and that He is the Lamb of God who took away the sin of all mankind. We saw that He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, and from the very beginning of His ministry He called disciples to carry on His work.

Today we will study the first eleven verses of chapter 2.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “What business do you have with Me, woman? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.” Now there were six stone waterpots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” And they took it to him. Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the groom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the guests are drunk, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (John 2:1-11 NASB)

So we read that Jesus and his mother and disciples were at a wedding in Galilee. When the wine ran out, Mary told her son that there was no more wine, and then the Lord Jesus performed a miracle: he turned water into wine. It was the beginning of His signs. There is much speculation about this text. Did Jesus turn water into wine to intoxicate the bridegroom and the disciples? No. We cannot take this passage and build a doctrine on it. It is true that the Bible is not categorical about wine consumption and wine itself is not a sin. But God condemns drunkenness, and as Christians we are commanded to be filled not with wine but with the Holy Ghost.

And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18 NASB)

True joy is given by the Holy Spirit, not strong drinks and spirits. A mature Christian will understand this, but the immature will be guided by the earthly nature and will look for excuses. We live in a society that declares itself 94 percent Christian, but with the highest alcohol consumption in Europe per capita.

May God help us to be wise in interpreting the Scriptures so that we do not find ourselves trying to justify the passion with which we are enslaved. Let’s pray: “My Father who art in heaven. Help me to be a mature Christian and not make my freedom a garment of wickedness. You teach me in your Word that drunkenness is debauchery. On the contrary, I must seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Help me to be obedient to Your Word. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

So help us God. Let us be filled with the Spirit, let us walk after the things above, not the things of the world. God bless!

Translated by Didina Vicliuc