“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” – John 2:11
Much is made of the sweet beauty and grace of Jesus’ first miracle, in which He turned water into wine. It’s certainly a model of discretion. A symbol of favor toward weddings. An example of kindness as He protected the dignity of a family caught in an embarrassing situation. However, this verse reveals His most important reason for transforming water, the symbol of never-ending ritual purification under the Old Covenant, into wine, the symbol of grace poured out at the cross of the New Covenant. It was to “manifest his glory” so His first few disciples would truly believe in Him.
What does that mean and why would it move them to such lasting faith? It means that Jesus revealed a tiny glimpse of His eternal power and glory as the Son of God. Jesus didn’t just turn one drinkable liquid into another. He didn’t just add flavor. He turned the simple mix of hydrogen and oxygen atoms into the complex stew of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and other elements that is wine. He added and completely rearranged atoms and molecules to make something altogether different. He used the power of Creation in a quiet, controlled, manner that only a handful of people could see.
Why? So that, unlike the ever-fickle crowds, those first few witnesses would follow Jesus everywhere. They’d seen the power of God close up and it kept them bound to Jesus. Through good times and bad. To the other side of the cross and the resurrection. To the other side of the world as they made disciples. To the other side of their own suffering for His name. It was His glory and it is enough. For them and for us. #FollowJesus