John 2: 1-12
I once heard a story about a grandfather who wasn't quite sure if his little granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so he decided to test her. He pointed at things around the room, and asked her what color it was. She told him, and she was always right. Finally, she got down from his lap and headed for the door, but not without saying, “Papa, I think you should try to figure out some of these for yourself!” As we move into the New Testament today, let's keep our eyes open and see if we can identify the beautiful colors of the gospel.
It all happened when Jesus and his family—as well as His new followers—were invited to a wedding in the little town of Cana. A wedding? What would be the purpose of that? John, later in his gospel account, expressly states, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” (John 20:31) And the wondrous work that took place on that wedding day was for the same purpose! In fact, at the end of that story, we see the result—it “manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.” (John 2:11) You see, as the wedding celebration proceeded, all of a sudden it became known that they lacked wine. Possibly being a relative to the young couple, Mary, the mother of Jesus, felt some responsibility and went to Him for help. Since this would be His first miracle, there was no precedence for Mary to think in terms of any wondrous works here—she just knew she could turn to Jesus and trust in Him. In fact, after she spoke with her Son, she turned to the servants and said, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it?” (vs. 5) In other words, she didn't really know exactly what His true colors were yet, but she would trust and have faith. And then it happened—Jesus looked over and saw the six stone water pots, filled to the brim—anywhere from 100 to 150 gallons altogether. Within minutes, all six vats were filled with wine, and all were amazed—the last was even better than the first. Did He have a vision of centuries earlier—water becoming blood, in the days of Moses? Or was He looking towards the Cross—water and blood streaming from His side as proof of His divine love? I would suggest both—an upper room, where wine would envision His precious blood.
The water was there for the ceremonial washings the Old Covenant had required, but now they had become dead, legalistic rituals. Now a totally new vision could be seen by all who would have eyes to see. The psalmist tells us about our God, “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” (86:10-11) Yes, Jesus was instituting a New Covenant that would shine like a rainbow of brilliant colors—mercy, grace, forgiveness, freedom from sin, and an indwelling Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you know those colors? Are they wondrous in your life? Whatever He says, do it—and your vision of Christmas will be wondrous!
~ Rev. Roy D. Warren, Jr.
