Fine Wine

Moving forward in our study of John we are now in Chapter 2!! Our focus this time is John 2:1-11 and I focused in on verse 4...""Dear woman, why do you involve me?", Jesus replied "My time has not yet come.""

This is a well-known miracle Jesus did at a wedding. He turned water into wine. It was not just table wine or the "house" wine, but it was FINE wine! ...... Break out the Bible and read the text. Usually, at that time, the fine wine was served first and then the lower grade wine was served later in the wedding celebration. But when Jesus did His miracle, the stuarts of the wine were wondering why they were serving this good stuff last...contrary to tradition. .....Anyway, OK a well known miracle....so let's move on....not so fast! Verse 4 popped out at me! Why did Jesus say that to His mother? Read verse 4 again.... He is laying down signs to those following Him as to what is to come. Ok, well what is the sign here????

I am no theologian but what did Jesus say about wine in the "upper room" the night before he was arrested? (This is a few years out from where we are now but it is a well known story too. Look at Matthew 26:17 to 30 or more specifically v. 27 to 29) He said "This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." This is His blood shed for OUR sins. There is a connection between wine as a symbol for us to remember the blood Jesus shed for our sins.

Now let's go back to the wedding. Jesus provided them barrels of fine wine. His mother was likely not going to forget His statement about the future of her Son and the miracle He did.

Now this is conjecture, but she must have been so proud of Him. Think about it, He is pulling what I'll call "mild" miracles to get the buzz going. He also is showing people that He knows exactly where He is headed, to the Cross to experience a brutal physical death. At this wedding, He know where He was headed, but His time had not yet come.

In looking at this passage, I see how brave our Lord is. He knows where He is going. I see also how strategic He is on..... when.... and where He does His miracles. This plan was all rolled out for you and me. What a Gift!

"Dear Lord, your earthly ministry through Jesus was so short, yet so powerful. I praise you for your brave trek to the Cross on my behalf. All glory to You, Amen!"