Read: John 2:1–11

Signs always tell us something. They may tell us what direction we need to go, or the name of a shop. When Jesus did signs, they always pointed to something as well. John told us that he recorded the signs that Jesus did, so that we may believe.

What can we learn about Jesus from his first miracle of changing water into wine? Firstly, Jesus performed this miracle in Cana in Galilee. John tells us this twice so it must be important. Galilee was to the north and was influenced by the nations around it. The people there weren’t all serving the Lord; they were living in darkness. And this is exactly where Jesus began his work. It is there, where the people were most in need of the gospel, that Christ did his first miracle.

This is great news for us, as we also have great need for the Gospel. We are so sinful, so unworthy to be called God’s children. It’s to people like us, people who need the Gospel, who sin daily, that Christ comes.

At this wedding feast in Cana, Christ changed water into wine. Wine in the Old Testament showed God’s presence and blessings. When the prophets talked about the wine being returned to the people of Israel it meant that God was returning to the people with his blessings. He was restoring the people to him. When they repented of their sins, God returned his love and care to them.

In a similar way, when Christ changed the water into wine, he was showing the people living in darkness that he had come to restore them. He had come to bring salvation. Joy could be restored because salvation had come in Christ.

The water in the pots was meant to be used for washing, but that washing could only remove dirt from the body. Christ changed it into wine to show that he was going to do something much greater: he was going remove our sins, to bring salvation. And that’s exactly what Christ has done! Believe in him.

Reflection with your child:

What can you learn from Jesus’ first miracle?

Source: Sermon by Rev. R. Vermeulen