Scripture in Action

Aneel Aranha is an author, preacher, and evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can find a huge selection of his reflections, articles, sermons, songs and other resources on his app.

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Scripture in Action

John 2:6-12 — New Wine

June 22, 2023 • Aneel Aranha • Season 2 • Episode 16

0:00 | 4:14

The miracle at Cana serves as a powerful testimony to Jesus' ability to satisfy our deepest needs while giving us an abundance of his goodness and grace.

John 2:6-12 — New Wine — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha. Today we will reflect on John 2:6-12. Listen.

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana goes beyond its representation of joy, celebration, and blessings. It carries deep symbolism and unveils profound truths about the nature and mission of Jesus.

Firstly, wine is associated with abundance and fulfillment. In the Old Testament, wine is often linked to God’s abundant blessings. It signified the richness of God's provision and his desire to satisfy the needs of his people. By turning water into wine, Jesus demonstrated his authority over creation and his ability to provide abundantly.

Secondly, the transformation of water into wine points to the inauguration of the new covenant through Jesus. At Cana, Jesus turned ordinary water into wine, signifying his power and ability to bring about profound changes. This foreshadowed the greater transformation that would take place at the Last Supper.

During the Last Supper, Jesus took a cup of wine and, through his words of institution, transformed it into his own blood, symbolizing the sacrificial nature of his upcoming crucifixion. This transformation signified the new covenant in his blood, as he said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). Just as the water transformed into wine, the wine now represents the precious blood of Jesus that would be shed for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity.

Thirdly, the quality of the wine Jesus provided is significant. The master of the banquet acknowledged that, contrary to the usual practice of serving the best wine first, here the best wine was being served last. This signifies the surpassing excellence and superiority of the new covenant of grace compared to the old covenant of the law.

Finally, the abundance of wine points to the overflowing nature of God's blessings in his kingdom. It is a foretaste of the eternal joy and communion with God that we will experience in the future. Just as the wine never ran out at the wedding, God's blessings and provisions for his people are inexhaustible. Let us enjoy the feast.

God bless you.