A long time ago, there was a joyful wedding in a small village called Cana, in Galilee. Many people were invited to celebrate with the bride and groom, and there was plenty to eat and drink. Jesus was also at the wedding, together with His mother Mary and His disciples.
Everyone was having a good time, but suddenly something unexpected happened. The wine that the guests drank was almost gone! At a wedding, this was a great shame, because wine was part of the celebrations. Mary, the mother of Jesus, noticed the problem and went directly to Jesus. She said, “They have no more wine.”
Jesus answered in a friendly but surprising way: “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come.” But Mary knew that Jesus would help. So she said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby were six large stone water jugs. People used them to wash their hands and feet before eating, as was the custom at the time. Jesus looked at the servants and said, “Fill the jars with water.” The servants obeyed His instructions, and soon the jars were filled to the brim with water.
Then Jesus said, “Now draw some of it and bring it to the steward.” The master diner was the one who tasted the wine and made sure everything was in order. The servants did as Jesus had told them. When the master diner tasted the wine, he was amazed: he didn’t know where the wine came from, but it was the best wine he had ever tasted!
He called the bridegroom and said, “Everyone else gives the good wine first, and then, when the guests have drunk enough, the less good wine. But you have held back the good wine until now!” Everyone was amazed at the miracle that Jesus had performed. Jesus had turned water into delicious wine.
This miracle showed that Jesus is powerful and loved people. It was the first miracle that Jesus performed, and His disciples believed in Him even more.
Message of history
Jesus is powerful and can perform miracles. His love and care for us is boundless, and we can trust Him in all things.
Bible passage
John 2:1-11 (Schlachter 2000):
“And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 And when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what have I to do with you?” My hour has not yet come! 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 And there were six stone jars of water set up there, after the way the Jews were cleansed, each of whom took two or three measures. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the top. 8 And he said to them, “Draw now and bring it to the master of the food.” And they brought it. 9 But when the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from, and the servants who had drawn the water knew it, the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone sets the good wine first, and when they get drunk, then the lesser wine; you have held back the good wine until now! 11 Jesus performed this first sign at Cana in Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.”
