January 22, 2025
Water Into Wine - Part 3
John 2:6-10
01/22/2025
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the
Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty
or thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with
water." And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take
it to the master of the feast." So they took it.
9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now
become wine, and did not know where it came from
(though the servants who had drawn the water
knew), the master of the feast called the
bridegroom
10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine
first, and when people have drunk freely, then the
poor wine." But you have kept the good wine until
now. (ESV)
Jesus, His disciples, and His mother, Mary, were at a
wedding when the unthinkable happened. Although the bridegroom
thought he had properly prepared for the week-long wedding feast,
there was no more wine. This had remarkable impact, not only by
cutting short the wedding celebration, but as a curse on the new
couple.
Mary enlisted Jesus' help, and instructed the servants to do
whatever Jesus said.
Now there were six stone water jars there for the
Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or
thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the
jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to
the master of the feast." So they took it. When the
master of the feast tasted the water now become wine,
and did not know where it came from (though the
servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of
the feast called the bridegroom and said to him,
"Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people
have drunk freely, then the poor wine." But you have
kept the good wine until now.
Many of the rituals followed by the faithful Jewish
community included washing various items. Plates and bowls were
washed, as were each person's hands. Various foods were washed
before preparation so to maintain a ritual cleanliness. If a
person ate ritually unclean food, they were not able to partake
of the evening sacrifice, they could not be part of any religious
activities for a set amount of time. Therefore, the host of the
wedding celebration ensured there was water on hand so that those
present would be able to maintain their status as ritually clean.
May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word and to follow
Him in all things. Amen.