Have you ever happily hosted an event and realized suddenly (and with a sinking feeling) that you had run out of a party essential right in the middle of the celebration? Perhaps vital food, drink, or utensils were deficient. Some shortfalls are of minor concern because the sparse item is an accompaniment and not central to the event, but running out of a mainstay item can feel disastrous, embarrassing, or grossly inconveniencing to say the least. The timing could not be worse, as any spectators, commentators, or naysayers in attendance would be privy to the growing debacle. The average person would groan in vexation (at least inwardly) while initiating a mad scramble to correct or conceal the situation. Exiting or ameliorating such dire straits would become the immediate, all-consuming goal!
No Wine … Prime Time …New Whine!
This was the probable plight of the Master of Ceremonies of a certain wedding feast in Cana1. Presumably a relative or best friend of the groom’s, this gentleman was likely a breath short of a conniption, having just been apprised of the wine shortage and impending public discomfiture! Given his primary responsibility for the event’s success, I can only imagine his moan of displeasure and ensuing tirade!
Wine was the mainstay beverage in ancient Mediterranean times (still true of most of the region today), consumed as a solitary thirst-quencher or in conjunction with meals in the norm of everyday living. It played a central role in celebratory gatherings, its quality and quantity indicators of the host’s financial and societal status. The weaker, commonplace products were consumed daily by average persons, while richer, more expensive, and exclusive varieties sourced from premier vats were reserved for the tables of the wealthy and for celebrations. The deficiency of an item so pivotal to an occasion of prominence was nothing short of a mortifying (not to mention stigmatizing) nightmare that one could only hope to awaken from with lightning speed!
“No Wine!” … “So Fine!”
As the narrative unfolds, we see that Jesus’s mother took it upon herself to inform Him of the embarrassing state of affairs, an intervention for which He was not immediately inclined. Not fazed by His seeming lack of enthusiasm, she uncharacteristically interjected herself into the commotion in which the waiters found themselves, assuring them that her son “got this” and encouraging them to gather around him to await further instructions. Jesus, seeing He had no choice but to comply with His mother’s dogged determination to have him save the day, did what every wise son who wishes to avoid “mama drama” does – He sprang into action! He pointed to six water pots lined against the reception hall’s back wall and instructed the waiters to fill them with water. Once done, He directed them to fill a wine glass with the contents to take to the MC.
The head waiter likely scratched his head as he turned away, contemplating the consequences of such an ill-advised action. The MC was a labile fellow, easily riled at the slightest provocation and very quick with his fists. It was not unusual for some unfortunate individual to exit his company sporting a broken nose, jaw, or on occasion, flattened ribs. The head waiter was in no hurry to add physical injury and debility to his list of problems. That said, he could not disobey the quiet but authoritative directive of Mother Mary’s enigmatic son. The man positively radiated a curious combination of sheer, luminescent energy, an aura of stark purity, a depth of compassion, and unfeigned meekness that were simultaneously soothing and unsettling. It was as though His penetrating gaze could see right through his soul, instantly deciphering everything about him in one glance – the good, the bad, and the ugly. This piercing force was mitigated by the palpable love, warmth, and acceptance He exuded, which obscured any shame such awareness would usually elicit. The head waiter had never been so affected, and in so short of an encounter. As harried as he had been a moment ago by this unforeseen catastrophe for which he would bear full brunt, a sudden serenity came upon him. His hesitant steps toward the water pots become more purposeful and assured. He would do anything this indescribable man said. Somehow, he trusted Him implicitly.
The MC breathed a sigh of relief followed by a grunt of combined pleasure and frustration as he tasted the rich wine the head waiter handed him, oblivious to what had just transpired. He could hardly believe he had been panicked moments before. The head waiter and the groom had failed to issue instructions to serve this silken tastebud tantalizer at the beginning of the reception; they had waited till the guests were too drunk to appreciate its fine caliber. He had never tasted such a savory and aromatic blend of fruity delights. It was almost as though the wine’s fine attributes heightened as it moved from taste buds to palate, culminating in a rich explosion of undefinable yet immensely pleasurable sensations rippling down his throat. He was almost breathless with wonder after just a single sip. It was such a pity that the inebriation of majority of the guests at this point in the feast would obscure the magnificence of the wine’s fine quality and richness. He heaved another sigh of frustration. The best should have been served first so the guests could enjoy and be thoroughly blown away by its superior quality and uniqueness at the inception of the feast. He didn’t waste time berating the head waiter; he barreled past him toward the groom with determined steps, a semi-reproving expression and stern query pasted on his already dour countenance.
No Vine, No Wine
Besides being the first documented miracle Jesus performed, how does this act of turning water into wine impact or bear relevance to His modern-day followers?
Wine is one of the biblical symbols for God’s Spirit; it represents the intoxicating savor and wholesome flavor He brings to life and life’s experiences when His presence and dealings are wholeheartedly imbibed and allowed to penetrate, permeate, and saturate a person’s being. It denotes a state of sacred inebriation, not with an alcoholic spirit, but with the Holy Spirit, enabling His liberating power and presence to have free expression through a yielded human vessel. It depicts the liberty, joy, power, insights, and abundance His presence confers.2-15
The six waterpots in the story represent vessels with previous encounters with a measure of the impacting power of God’s Word and the influence of His Spirit. Bible text correlates the inspired Word of God and the Holy Spirit with water16-24 because of their cleansing, consecrating, life-giving, and thirst-quenching properties.18-24 Water was typically used at mealtimes for ceremonial cleansing {i.e., of hands and feet}.
The utilization of empty or semi-empty water pots is not without significance, as is the choice of earthen water pots over the more attractive and decorative wine vessels already beautified and primed for that purpose. Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose those vessels versus empty wine vessels or vats? It would have been just as much a miracle (demonstrated in both instances of the multiplied fish and bread) to have followed the same procedure using the previous wine-containing vessels. Here is my theory on why Jesus opted to do things differently:
- The number six represents man (humanity) in biblical numerology. Waterpots or jars represent carriers or vessels in varying capacities. The Bible often describes followers of Jesus as “earthen” (earthly) vessels or in some versions, “jars of clay.”25-26 These vessels represent folks who have already encountered the cleansing, saving water of the Word of God and His God’s life-giving Spirit, enjoying a measure of spiritual relevance and satisfaction as containers for those vital life forces. I find striking the relegation of the water pots to the back walls of life and relevance despite the pivotal spiritual experiences already had. They were followers of Jesus and had secured the God-kind of life, but for a season, they lacked an integral ingredient requisite to their Christian experience and seemed to pay a dear price for that deficiency.
2. When the Bible symbolically mentions new wine, it almost always includes an allusion to spiritual repositioning. Prospective vessels must align and adapt to the conditions necessary to receive the capacity for hosting the intensity and substantiality of that new outpouring.27-32 Anything less in preparatory alignment for the wine-bearing assignment could damage the vessels irrevocably, spilling and wasting the precious product in the process.32
3. That Jesus bypassed the previous wine containers to provoke the wine-bearing capacity of nondescript waterpots speaks volumes; it was a destiny-defining game-changer. Seemingly irrelevant vessels previously relegated to the mundane and inconsequential were instantly upgraded to the frontlines of purpose and relevance. The purifying Word had cleansed and separated them from their earthen limitations and had built upon the foundations of the Holy Spirit they had previously encountered. Fomenting their capacity for potent, fermented drink through a deeper and more intense spiritual experience, they pivoted into a higher orbit in God’s Spirit, abilities, and capacity.
4. His use of empty or semi-empty vessels (implied by the fact that they were fillable) is highly telling. My take is that when we are full of ourselves, agendas, plans, schemes, etc., we leave little or no room for infilling with God’ s Spirit, will, or perfect plan. When we empty ourselves with the willingness to take on God’s will and agenda as our own (…. not My will, but Yours be done33), Jesus is permitted to fill us with His fresh wine and empower us anew, enlarging our capacity for much more.
5. Jesus describes His relationship with His followers as a Vine-Wine relationship. We see this clearly in John 15, where He emphasizes that they are the branches of His main vine. Just as a severed branch loses its ability for growth and fruitfulness, separation from Him constitutes the same, resulting in wilting, withering and certain death. As branches to His vine, we are totally dependent on Him for fruitfulness and any semblance of God’s version of success and productivity. Any resultant fruit and the subsequent production of wine are at the very core, products of that perpetual connectivity. Outside of this, the branch loses its essence, vitality, and productivity and will invariably die. Simply stated – no vine, no wine. This concept is consistent throughout Scriptures and implicit to any miracle of transformation.
Wine Press To Winepress
Remember the beginning of our story where we see Mary pressing Jesus to perform? She was catalyzing His miracle ministry and galvanizing this instance of it. Her importune intervention is the reason we have a miracle of this kind recorded in the annals of Scripture and history, otherwise, Jesus would have remained unobtrusive as an ordinary guest and onlooker amidst the wedding’s ongoing dilemma. Have you observed a similar thread in His other recorded miracles? Save a couple of instances like the healing at the pool of Bethesda34 and the resurrection of the Nainian widow’s son35, most miracles Jesus performed resulted from pressing requests of potential vessels or their representatives.
Why does He require such a heartfelt or urgent press to perform miracles or answer prayer? One reason is a very fundamental characteristic of any dealing with God; “… you shall seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”36 You may have noticed that there is nothing casual, insipid, placid, or tepid about God; He is a very intense and intentional personality, a trait shared and fully represented by all three persons of the Trinity.37 Anyone doing business with Him must approach with the requisite depth of interest, intensity, and intentionality.38-39 He is an all-or-none kind of God,40 and only rewards those who ardently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Another reason is that God is a gentleman, never forcing His way into any person’s life or circumstances. He allows His children to seek Him for help (Jeremiah 29:11; 33:3; Ezekiel 36:37). Another is that most things of value in life require a press or fight for attainment. We pursue knowledge and education to attain professional and financial stability; we extend ourselves in rigorous and regular exercise to achieve health and longevity; we press into God and pursue Him to obtain His highest and best in life. We do this by setting His purpose as our life’s goal,41 among others.
Thus, we see that the best in God requires a press in God; the best of Him requires a quest for Him. We insist on His all for us by giving our all to Him. If we want to get the most out of our experience with Him, we must apply the requisite pressure to get it out of Him. This press on our part is a press for new wine, or more aptly stated, it is a wine press. This wine press interestingly leads to the winepress, a natural step in the production of wine. The pressure applied by our passionate craving for new wine catalyzes the pressure the wine-making process naturally exerts on grapes via the instrumentation of a winepress. The winepress of God’s Spirit squeezes the wine out of the grapes of our lives in response to our heart’s press (fervor, desire, longing) for the new wine experience of greater depths and riches in God’s Holy Spirit. This is the concept Paul espouses in Philippians 3:13-14. Our wine press exerts the spiritual mechanism that gets the best out of the grapes of our lives, just as a natural winepress exerts a wine press on the grapes used in wine production to get the richest, frothiest, most fruitful, and savory product from the crushed fruit. Grapes cultivated for this purpose attain their highest and best potential by subjection to the intensity of the winepress. By so doing, they essentially press into their highest purpose, the greatness for which they were created. The outcome of that press produces a savory and aromatic product, as does our heavenly press for the new wine of God’s Spirit. The savory, aromatic expression of His highest and best for us42 is gloriously embellished by His beauty and splendor!43
The Best For Last
Wine is said to taste better with age. Why should we then desire the new wine of God’s Spirit? According to wine experts, all wines are aged to some extent as an integral part of the winemaking process. Some red wines undergo aging for a couple of years or more before bottling, and many white wines for a shorter period. This aging typically occurs after fermentation using stainless steel, oak, or ceramic vessels. The changes that wine endures to attain aging are a purposeful, built-in part of the winemaking process, conferring the characteristics that make for a rich, flavorful product. The new wine of God’s spirit is no exception!
In the our narrative, the MC essentially tells the groom, “You have saved the best wine for last!” (Verse 10b). How apt! Jesus ALWAYS saves the best for last! He makes the best wine in the worst circumstances and from the most challenging places. He creates beauty from ashes, the oil of joy from mourning, the garment of praise from the spirit of heaviness43, and you can count on the superiority of the new product! No matter how bad or hopeless your situation seems, how much is lost, how insignificant or unaccomplished you feel, or how wonderful and fruitful life has been – press into Him for richer and newer experiences! Allow Him to turn your water into wine, your commonplace waterpots into distinguished vessels of honor, your earthen limitations into splendiferous mastery. You will be delighted with the final product; He ALWAYS saves the best for last!
Wine Press for New Wine
Now that you have wrapped up the outgoing and welcomed the incoming year, press in for the new wine of His presence, power, and purpose. Permit the life-giving water of His Word and Spirit to align you with His new move. May you be found a worthy {wine} vessel, deemed fit, equipped, and qualified for His noble and magnificent purposes!
For Your Edification & Listening Pleasure
New Wine – Hillsong Worship
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozGKlOzEVc&feature=share
Refiner – Maverick City Music
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFCbmvk0vo&feature=share
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Hillsong Worship
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=fiyYoe678yI&feature=share
Bibliography
- John 2:1-11
- Ephesians 5:18
- Deuteronomy 11:13-14
- Deuteronomy 33:28
- Psalms 45:7
- Jeremiah 31:12
- Joel 1:10; 2:19; 3:18
- Amos 9:13-14
- Acts 2:1-4; 13
- Hebrews 1:9
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
- Romans 14:17
- Acts 1:8
- John 16:13
- Galatians 5:22
- Ephesians 5:26
- John 3:5
- John 15:3
- John 17:17
- John 4:10; 14-15
- John 7:37-37
- Isaiah 44:3
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
- 2 Timothy 2:20
- Joel 1:5-12
- Joel 2:21-24; 28-30
- Jeremiah 31:9, 11-12
- Hosea 22:16-17; 21-22
- Zechariah 8:12, 16-17
- Luke 5:37-39
- Luke 22:42
- John 5:1-15
- Luke 7:11-17
- Jeremiah 29:13
- Hebrews 12:29
- Matthew 7:7-8
- Psalms 119:58
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Philippians 3:12-14
- 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
- Isaiah 61:3
LOVE IT!!!