John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with His disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.
This miracle or sign, like all of Jesus’ miracles, was an act of grace. Miracles are not done by Jesus because anyone deserved it. They are done out of Jesus’ mercy and grace.
Personally, this is one of my favorite miracles of Jesus. I love that it was done at a wedding. Jesus was attending this wedding and by doing so was placing His approval on marriage.
It was providing wine. Wine in the Bible many times symbolizes joy. Jesus was providing joy to a family that needed joy at that point in time. Running out of wine at a wedding feast was a huge disgrace to them as a family. Jesus, out of His grace, provided what they could not provide and saved their reputation. Jesus is our provider and protector.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is depending on Jesus for our provision and protection.
John uses the word sign to describe this miracle. A sign points beyond itself to something greater. Jesus wanted people to believe not just in His works but in Him, who He really was. He was and is the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord. Jesus is God come in the flesh.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is not just looking at what Jesus does but at who He is and receiving Him into your life as the Messiah, the Savior, and the Lord.
This miracle pointed to Jesus as the one who fulfills our lives.
We look to things and people to do what only Jesus can do: fulfill us as His creation.
Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Wine here means the things that the world offers us that promise fulfillment but lead to emptiness. The word debauchery means a lost, abandoned person. That is where the fulfillment of the world leads. But being continually filled up with the Holy Spirit leads to true fulfillment.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is finding true fulfillment in the filling and work of the Holy Spirit in and through you.
The water was in jars used for external purification. The water was used to ritually wash externally. Jesus turned the water into wine that filled them inwardly.
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you brothers therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Transformation of our lives is an inward work of God in our hearts and minds that is shown in living out God’s will. It is an inner change that leads to outer change.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is being transformed inwardly by God and it being manifested in your life by how you live.
Jesus, from His grace, gives us joy, fulfillment, and transformation.
In the Grace of Jesus Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,
Joe
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