by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 2

Jesus Really Turned Water into Wine

As you read John 2, watch carefully what happened when Jesus turned water into wine. Truly, a miracle happened.

Jesus, His mother, and His disciples attended a wedding. When the wine ran out, Mary approached Jesus with the problem. It becomes obvious that the miracle was not pre-planned. She told the servants that whatever Jesus said that they should do it. He tells them to fill waterpots, used for purification, with water. Since these were used for purification, they contained no wine. The waterpots were large, holding 20 or 30 gallons, and there were six of them, making it difficult to add enough dye or something else to give the impression of a miracle. Jesus ordered the servants to do this, not the disciples, showing that no conspiracy was involved. The servants filled the pots to the brim, thus preventing anything else from being added. This whole thing was observable, because He had them pour the water instead of just changing the source. The servants took the wine to the ruler, and in this way, the disciples could not intervene. Therefore, the servants were oblivious to what was going on, showing that they did not "help" the miracle.

Jesus came with no predetermined plan, no equipment, no stage show, or assistants. He never touched the pots before or after. The ruler of the feast confessed that this wine was the best, but he did not know its source. Tablets or other instrumentality added to the water would not make good wine. The large quantity hindered sneaking the wine in earlier. He did the miracle when requested, and He operated by voice only.

He is the Creator. Therefore, it is not surprising to us that He bypassed the normal and natural process of grape vines soaking up water through the roots, processing it, and making grapes. He bypassed the winemaking process of man. He is the Son of God.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100