The best wine comes last
Join us today at the feast of encounter
“And Jesus was also invited to the wedding, and His disciples.” In this story, we witness the first sign that Jesus performed: the changing of water into wine. John writes that this was the beginning of the signs that Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. With this, He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
This event did not come out of nowhere; it followed on from what had happened shortly before. We read that on the third day there was a wedding in Cana. In the period before that, Jesus met Philip and Nathanael, and Peter and Andrew were also called. Although the wedding is called the “beginning of the signs,” a miracle had already happened in the lives of the disciples in the days before: they left their nets and boats behind to follow Jesus. The turnaround in someone’s life, that radical choice to follow Jesus, is often a greater miracle than any special healing.
The absent protagonists
The sign takes place during a wedding, but strikingly, we hear nothing about the bride and groom. You would expect them to be the center of attention, but their names are not even mentioned. Apparently, this is about something bigger. The fact that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also present shows that it was quite a celebration. She must have known the family well, because she even got involved in the organization. As an outsider, you don’t do that so easily.
Cana was only a small village, about a two-hour walk from Nazareth. Since the disciples were also invited, we can assume that the bride and groom were acquaintances of theirs. After all, Cana was also the birthplace of Nathanael.
The best wine for last
We know the situation: the wine has run out. Perhaps a miscalculation had been made, or the turnout was greater than expected. Either way, the couple was facing a huge embarrassment. And at that very moment, Jesus springs into action. He says to the servants, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim.
When the master of ceremonies tasted it, he was astonished. He tasted top-quality wine, but had no idea where it came from. Only the servants knew. Imagine being there… what an experience that must have been! For John, this was no coincidence, but a powerful act that bore the character of a sign. Here, Jesus left His calling card. He revealed His true identity by removing the shame and deficiency of this couple. And that is exactly what He wants to do in our lives: prevent embarrassment and fill our emptiness.
A personal memory
The text about Jesus being invited to the wedding also has personal significance for me; it was our own wedding text. I don’t remember much about the sermon itself, but I still vividly remember the atmosphere. At the time, as young believers, we had just joined a Pentecostal church. Our family and friends had mixed feelings about this.
The blessing was therefore a little tense. Our guests felt uncomfortable seeing people clapping and singing with their hands raised from the hymnal of Johan de Heer or the Glorieklokken, while they themselves were used to singing psalms accompanied by the organ. Fortunately, everything worked out well in the end. With respect for our parents and the tradition we came from, we can say that the wrinkles have been ironed out.
The invitation
Just as Jesus and His disciples were invited at the time, so we are invited today to His feast. He says, “Come and join us.” It is not a feast of garlands and cake, but a feast of encounter. There, the “better wine” is served — the wine that does not give you a headache, but gladdens your heart.
The world often puts the best wine on the table first; once the guests are satiated or a little intoxicated, the lesser quality wine is served. But with Jesus, it’s the other way around: He saves the best for last. Maybe you’re done with your old life, or you’re fed up with dry religion and outward appearances where tradition is more important than a relationship with God. That’s the “old wine.”
Jesus invites you to drink the best wine. If you give Him space in your life, He will pour it out for you. You are invited!
@wimvanputten