In John 2:1-11, Jesus turns water into wine. John said this was the first miracle he did.
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
John said, “this was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory.” Turning water into wine revealed his glory. He didn’t heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out a demon, he turned water into wine.
Mary had compassion on the family and asked Jesus to solve their problem. Some people have taken this to mean you should pray to Mary to get what you want. Mary wasn’t any different than you or me. The reason her request was granted was because she had faith. This is a picture of God’s response to that faith.
The other thing that is interesting is that Jesus said to fill the jars with water. Jesus didn’t fill the jars himself, he transformed what was in the jars. When Jesus fed the four thousand he multiplies what they had. When Jesus needed to pay the temple tax he told Peter to go fishing and in the mouth of the fish would be the coin. In all these instances Jesus used what was there and transformed it, he didn’t make things appear out of thin air.
What if we are the substance that brings about change and transformation. Instead of thinking God will just make something out of nothing, think out of the something(us) will come everything.
When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem in Luke 19 the people said, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Then the Pharisees said, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” Then Jesus said, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
I don’t need a rock to do my job. Jesus doesn’t need to pull something out of thin air, he has us! Which is why Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. You go into all the world. You make disciples of nations. You teach people to obey all I commanded you.” God’s plan is reconciliation and transformation, which is accomplished through those who have been reconciled and transformed.
We are the substance God uses to brings transformation.