THEY HAVE NO WINE

John 2:1-3 – On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.”

It always amazes me how people jump over the true message of the miracle at Cana and fall into the ditch talking about the alcoholic content of the wine just created. Obviously Jesus never promotes drunkenness so the discussions are all really a waste of time. ESV Study Bible – “The wedding party’s running out of wine may be seen as symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of first-century Judaism, especially against an OT background that viewed wine (but never drunkenness) as a sign of joy and God’s blessing.” So what is the message of the wine at this wedding celebration? The whole story of the first miracle is pointing to the coming Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Could it be that Jesus is pointing to the fruit of His life and ministry in this miracle? He is purchasing His bride with His life’s blood but He is also purchasing something else. He is opening the way for His bride to have the new wine of the Spirit during our life here on earth. Drinking the new wine is what this miracle is about. This is our portion while we are finishing our journey here on earth. Here is something the Passion Notes say about the new wine.

“We are now in the realm of the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit brings us into the body of Christ and into the reality of God’s kingdom realm. It is growing and increasing in scope, and every time believers drink of the cup of communion, Jesus is present with us. It is the Lord’s Table, not ours. This was a prophecy of what would happen in just a matter of days from then, as believers would break bread together in remembrance of what Jesus had done for them. Jesus now drinks it with us in a new way, and not just once a year at Passover, but every time we worship him by taking communion.”

This new wine is the fruit of our communion with Jesus. We drink this cup when we worship Him and when we take communion with His bride. There are many today that have no clue regarding the power of the new wine of the Holy Spirit. He has purchased His bride with His blood, the final preparations for the wedding celebration are being wrapped up. In the meantime He is serving up the new wine of the Spirit; let the celebration begin.