There is a great deal we can gain from seeing this very first earthly miracle Yeshua performs – while initially resistant to endeavoring into it with His mother Maryam.
In John chapter 2 – we see this occur – in turning jugs of water into jugs of wine – there is so much symbolism here – earthen vessels=the Believer, Water – earthen substance changed in nature to become full of presence and joy, miracle at a wedding=Yeshua starts His ministry At a wedding and we will all celebrate the finality of His ministry TO us at a wedding feast… and so much more…but let’s look at the idea of wine and focus in on how this speaks to us today.
In the Ancient Near East, with its scarcity of water, wine was a necessity rather than a luxury, so it came to symbolize sustenance and life. Due to its close relationship to the ongoing life of the community, in association with grain and oil, wine also represents of the covenant blessings God promised to Israel for obedience, and which He would withhold for disobedience. Finally, wine also represents joy, celebration, and festivity, expressing the abundant blessings of God.
Wine can be abused, causing a person to lose self-control. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1); and “do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation” (Ephesians 5:18). When Jesus made the water into wine, He did not intend for the wedding guests to get drunk. He provided the right amount for the number of people in attendance to enjoy themselves but not lose control…
I believe that through the “pandemic” and economic struggles, I have viewed so many Believers and Congregations “running out of wine today” – Through the circumstances of the last couple of years – it is becoming rare to see joy, community, honor, celebration, and blessing…Believers attend (not as much today) services and routines which are “fruit-less” – more on that in a minute… They do not honor the covenant of God in their lives – either by ignorance or denying the necessity – what am I talking about? This is not a condemnation – but an observation.
So, when Yeshua performs this miracle – at the bidding of his mother, the authority in His life on earth – who was entrusted by the Father to raise, train, and groom Him for this day in which He would be released to begin His three-year journey; He takes clay pots and changes the product within. He makes it so the those who were to judge the fruit of the pots found it to be of high quality. He then by doing so ensures the celebration of the wedding does not fall short of the celebration it was to be.
You see – We are wineskins which need to contain New Wine, bear much fruit, and be prepared for the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Rav Shaul – the Apostle Paul tells the Believers in Corinth this in 2 Corinthians 4:6-9: “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” This was also a precursor to the Passover Seder – where Yeshua would share the cup of Redemption with His disciples – and declare His Body and Blood as the thread through the escape from Egypt. The fact that we know that “…with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water…” (Hebrews 10:22) Yeshua was foreshadowing the entire plan he was to engage over the course of 3 years…right at this wedding.
Honoring the Covenant of bread and wine is not a New Testament sacrament. – That idea was institutionalized in the early 1500’s as “communion” and a church sacrament. This is what is celebrated in most churches today. Let’s look at the root of this practice – why do we do it? What is the purpose? We need to look at the original demonstration of this in what we see in Scripture. Where we first identify this is when Bread and wine are brought forth by Melchizedek (the pre-incarnate Messiah) – to Abraham – Father of Israel and the nations, just as Yeshua gave bread…of His body.
Yeshua told His disciples to partake of unleavened bread and wine during the Passover Seder Through this command, He charged His followers to observe it as a memorial of His death for all time. Since His death completely fulfilled the symbolism of killing a lamb, we no longer need to slaughter a lamb in keeping the Passover. –
In John 15:1-6 He says this, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
The exhortation here occurs at the end of His ministry, speaking to His disciples following His final Passover observance. He confirms that what the Father desires to be produced in our relationship with Him cannot be realized apart from who He is as Messiah. This passage is a final admonition for us to make every effort to remain “in” Him, not allowing what just happened with Judas to happen to us. By betraying His Savior, Judas abandoned the responsibility of the revealed New Covenant. Peter could have – but through repentance and restoration – the anointing on his life enabled him to win over three thousand souls on Shavuot – or Pentecost.
Passover takes place in a little over 2 weeks – It IS the Believer’s celebration of Redemption. Sacramental items canonized centuries later does not bring the fullness of the original. Yeshua foretold, was prophesied about, walked in, inserted Himself throughout the timeline of the ancient Hebrews and Israel, and finally culminated His work as the Son of Man – beginning with this miracle. Allow the Miracle of Passover to invade the way you think through this season and the revelation will bring life to you and your family. May you see what you have never seen before!
May the Blessing of the Lord which makes rich and adds no sorrow to you be upon you today!
Shalom,
