Water Into Wine

Only seven signs or miracles are described in John’s gospel. John calls them signs–they’re not just stories, but stories intended to tell us something specific about Jesus. Our ekklesia has agreed to look at the first of those signs this week. We’ve all been reading, praying, meditating on John 2:1-11 and when we come together tomorrow, we’ll share what the Holy Spirit has given us. I’m excited to learn the different things He’s revealing to each member.

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told Him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

But His mother told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, He said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed His instructions.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.
(John 2:1-11 NLT)

I was thinking, “I know this passage well–it’s going to be hard to hear from God on this rather than myself because I know this story through and through. I’ve studied it; I’ve memorized it. I’ll have to be careful not to inject my own intellect into this.” Here’s what I believe I received from Jesus:

“My daughter, you make things too simple at times, though at times you are right to simplify. Many times there is a depth you cannot comprehend, and I do not say you must–not yet. But here you say, “I cannot see more,” yet more is surely here. Open your ears. Open your eyes; your heart. Open your understanding to Me.

“My word is in you a transforming Spirit. You know how you all long for magical things? Wondrous things? Before your eyes, yet impossible to see the moment–the transformation–I make beauty of ashes; mortality becomes eternity; perishable becomes imperishable. Do you think you understand it? You do not. My hand works that which you can only experience and not understand. The servants drew and carried the wine. It was wine the moment I purposed it, but to them, water–yet they carried it to their lord, and it was wine in his cup.

“My Spirit is the wine element–that which enlivens the water. The water, in this case, is the human spirit cleansed not by ritual purification–the common use of the stone water pots–but by my words–Myself (symbolized by the water pots of stone. In the Exodus, water came from the rock–a type of Jesus). Your position in Me not only cleanses the evil away by destroying sin in you, but mingles in the divine essence–My Spirit–the wine element.

“This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams.’ My Spirit is upon you to set you free from the constraints of human limitations. First I drew you out from all the waters, then I cleansed you by placing you in Myself. With Me, you died. I am now your source–the source from which you originate. When I pour you out, I pour you out from Myself, that you may sanctify all that will receive you, for whoever receives you as being Mine receives Me.

“You are in Me, from Me, to Me, and I make you to be wine–fine wine–the wine of My Holy Spirit enlivens you.

“Though the wedding guests have tasted and tasted, this wine is different. They may have drunk freely before, but the true wine from the true vine, unadulterated, they have yet to taste.

“You be that wine. Draw near, be in Me until I pour you forth. Stay in Me–be cleansed, be transformed as you hide yourselves in Me. When I pour you forth–when you are ready, you will be to the nations a fine vintage–a wine of blessing that glorifies whomever will drink of it. In that day, when I pour you forth, you will see My glory and be glorified in Me. Do not fear, little ones. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.