We are not told when exactly the water was turned into wine. All we know is that Jesus told the servants what to do, and they obeyed. Nobody saw the miracle happen, not even the servants.
As was customary at that time, the servants would have taken wine to the banquet master. They carried out Jesus’ instructions without any evidence
of a transformation; they had no idea that the jars now contained wine. We can only wonder at the response of the banquet master if they had presented him with water.
The banquet master assumed that the wine had come from the bridegroom. The servants knew otherwise. As readers, we know that Jesus is the real bridegroom, bringing God’s abundance and grace for all to see and experience. It is fitting that Jesus chose to instruct the
servants and not address the banquet master. This indicates his ministry of the poor, marginalised, social outcasts, etc. These servants are of a lower social standing, yet they have seen Jesus, experienced his works, and believed in him.
To be a faithful disciple, we need to be like these servants. We must take the risk that what we do and bring to the Lord may not please others. We are called to obedience. We are called to be
Christ-like and trust God as we take up our cross. Our goal must be to share the Kingdom of God with Christ and all other believers.
Jesus transformed water, meant for cleansing, into wine, a biblical symbol of blood. True miracles are a message from God. This miracle is to teach us and new disciples about Jesus. (John 2:11)
Reflections by Gillian Hugo
