John 2:6-11: a reflection

6Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it. 9When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom 10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

At a wedding in Cana, the wine runs out, a social disaster for the hosts. Jesus quietly acts: he has the servants fill six large stone jars with water, then draw some out, and when the master of the feast tastes it, the water has become wine, and not just any wine, but wine so good the master marvels: everyone serves the good wine first, and the poor wine later, but you have kept the good wine until now. This first of Jesus' signs, John says, revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Notice two things about this sign: its abundance and its quality. Jesus did not produce a modest amount of ordinary wine; he made an abundance, six large jars full, of wine so good it surpassed what had been served first. His grace, revealed in this first sign, is lavish and good, exceeding the need, better than expected. And notice the master's words: you have kept the good wine until now. In the world's usual way, the best comes first and then decline; with Jesus, the good is kept for later, the best is yet to come.

That reveals something of the character of Christ's grace. It is abundant and good, lavish beyond the need, and it has a way of keeping the good until later, so that with him, the good wine is not behind us but ahead. If you feel the best is behind you, that life is a decline from what was, remember Cana: with Christ, the good wine is kept until now, and the best is yet to come. Trust the generous Lord who turns water to wine, whose grace is abundant and good, and who saves the good wine for those who are his. The good wine is still ahead.

Lord Jesus, at Cana you turned water into an abundance of good wine, so fine that the master marveled you had kept the good wine until now, and in that first sign you revealed your glory. Thank you that your grace is lavish and good, exceeding the need, better than I expect. And thank you that with you, the good wine is not behind me but ahead; you save the good wine for those who are yours. When I feel the best is behind me, that life is only a decline, remind me of Cana. Help me trust the generous Lord who turns water to wine, whose grace is abundant, and who keeps the good wine until now. The best is yet to come in you.