And the third day there was marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. (2) And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. (5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.(6) And there were set there six water-pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. (9) When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was; but the servants which drew the water knew; the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (10) And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine. And when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (11) This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory: and his disciples believed on him.
The circumstances of this marriage feast, and the miracle Jesus then wrought, are so beautifully expressed, in the plain and artless language of the Evangelist, as to need no comment. I only take occasion therefore to observe, how many sweet instructions the subject ministers to us, in the contemplation of Jesus, and his disciples.
We are told, that this was the beginning of miracles, and most probably the first, the Lord Jesus wrought, upon his entrance on his public ministry. And certain it is, that it is the first, and among the highest miracles the Son of God ever wrought in his own marriage with our nature. Then Jesus indeed turned our water into wine, for everything then became blessings in Christ. And certainly there was somewhat of significancy in this miracle. For it is remarkable, that Moses, commissioned by the Lord, turned the water of Egypt into blood. Our Almighty Moses, whom Jehovah hath sent into the Egypt of our world, hath turned both our common mercies and our gospel mercies into wine. Exodus 7:19. The miracle of Moses the servant, was for destruction! The miracle of Moses' Lord was, and is for life everlasting. Sweetly the Church sings to this: Song of Solomon 1:2; Isaiah 27:2-3
I cannot dismiss the view of this marriage in Cana of Galilee, which the Lord and his disciples graced with their presence, without observing how much Jesus hath sanctioned the holy and honorable estate of marriage, by this act. Surely as the Apostle hath said, Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled. Hebrews 13:4. And methinks, I would take occasion there from, to enforce the same plan the Jewish bridal feast set forth, of inviting Jesus and his disciples to every godly marriage union. If the Hosea 1:1 y order be founded in Christ, and each party becomes a true yoke-fellow in the Lord; what a pleasing prospect it affords of promoting, under his blessing, the truest happiness of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. And to the wants of this world, where Jesus dwells, every supply necessary may be hoped for. He that turned water into wine to answer the momentary feast, can soon convert everything even of evil into good; and rather than that his redeemed shall want anything needful, will bring resourses from their enemies' table. All things shall work together for good to them that love God: to them that are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.