Anchor My Faith

Water Became Wine

Scripture: John 2:5-8

In our previous lesson, Mary informs Jesus that the wine at the wedding ran out. Jesus then questioned her as to why that should matter to him, as his hour had not yet come. Mary stays focused on the need of wine: “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”’ (John 2:5). The conversation between Jesus and his mother doesn’t seem to be complete as Mary moves forward and gives instructions to the servants to do as Jesus tells them without first hearing Jesus indicate his willingness to provide the wine. Maybe the manner in which Jesus spoke, or by the looks he gave, or the gestures he used, Mary sensed Jesus would do something. Maybe there were other words spoken that John did not record.

The process of producing the wine begins with Jesus looking to see what he would put it in: “Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons” (John 2:6). Archaeologists have found large water jars, like these described, in and around Jerusalem from that period of time. These water jars were large stone jars, of maybe 20 to 30 gallons’ capacity, used for the purpose of washing the hands before and after eating, and for the formal washing of vessels, and even articles of furniture. We see this expressed in Mark 7:3 – 4 (ESV): “For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.”

Jesus sees the six stone water jars. “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). Mary had instructed the servants to do as Jesus instructs them and here Jesus tells them what to do. To fill those six jars to the brim would take up to 180 gallons of water. These servants knew and could testify that they had put water in the jars, not wine. These jars had never had wine in them before as they were used to hold wash water. I am not sure these jars would make good containers for drinking water after being used to clean various things.

The servants did as they were told: “And [Jesus] said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it” (John 2:8). There are different opinions on when the water was changed to wine; was it before it was drawn out, as it was being drawn out, or while it was being taken to the master of the feast? My opinion is that Jesus changed the water into wine during the time when the servants had finished filling the jars and the instructions to draw some out and take to the master of the feast. It was water in, possibly, dirty jars and pure safe wine taken out. The jars contained wine until used up. I do not support the opinion that the water changed to wine as the servants carried it to the master of the feast. This could allow the servants to claim credit for the miracle.

How good was the wine that was given to the master of the feast? We will find out in the next lesson.

Prayer

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Father, there was a need for more wine at the wedding. Jesus was asked by his mother to meet that need. Jesus, the creator of the universe, had the power to meet the need. Sinful flesh would have used that power to meet the need for attention, but Jesus met the need with as little attention as was proper for the occasion. The need at the wedding was met, but since it was not yet the hour for Jesus, he desired as little attention as possible.