John 2:5 (NKJV)
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
The wedding in Cana of Galilee and Jesus turning water into wine is a very familiar story. If we are not careful, we can diminish this to a lesser miracle as we compare it to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44), casting out a demon (Luke 11:14), or walking on water (Mark 6:48). Taking into account all of His recorded miracles, it could be easy to think or say, “It was only water into wine.” But there is more to this story.
The setting is a wedding. This is not just any occasion, and something unthinkable has taken place. They have run out of wine (John 2:3). This could be quite embarrassing for the host. People have traveled for miles to attend this festive event. Wine is a staple and now it is gone. The host will always be mocked and laughed at for this. His lack of planning will be remembered more than the wedding ceremony itself.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, approaches her Son and reveals this bad situation. I imagine in her own home she probably paid great attention to detail when guests came over for dinner. She strikes me as one who would have never run out of meal, desert, or drink. Now a disaster is taking place before her very eyes and something must be done. Her initial thoughts may have centered on going to the local vineyard and picking up wine. Realizing this was impractical, and understanding Jesus to be someone who was extraordinary, she simply told the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
As the story unfolds, water is turned into wine, the master of the feast is relieved, and everyone has a great story to tell for years to come. This was the first miracle of Jesus recorded in the gospels. Here is a thought to consider. Perhaps this story is not about water being turned into wine, though this certainly happened. The main point of this story is obedience. Had the servants not listened to Mary (John 2:5); had they not listened to Jesus when He instructed them to “Fill the water pots with water” (John 2:7), this story never reaches Scripture.
Lazarus was not obedient. He was dead and Jesus changed that. Walking on water does not require obedience; Jesus simply walked. If a demon is obedient to Jesus when cast out, shouldn’t we as Christians be obedient to Jesus at all times? The miracle at Cana has its root in obedience. Yes, Jesus facilitated this miracle, but one could strongly argue that obedience turned water into wine.
Copyright 2025 Michael Callahan Ministries, LLC
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