Protestants: What lesson does the story of the Wedding at Cana (Jesus turning water into wine) teach us?

John 2:1-11 It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have Christ own and bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their marriage, must invite him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. There was want at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things of the world, must look for trouble, and count upon disappointment. In our addresses to Christ, we must humbly spread our case before him, and then refer ourselves to him to do as he pleases.

In Christ's reply to his mother there was no disrespect. He used the same word when speaking to her with affection from the cross; yet it is a standing testimony against the idolatry of after-ages, in giving undue honours to his mother. His hour is come when we know not what to do. Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer. Those that expect Christ's favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience. The way of duty is the way to mercy; and Christ's methods must not be objected against.

The beginning of Moses' miracles was turning water into blood, Ex 7:20; the beginning of Christ's miracles was turning water into wine; which may remind us of the difference between the law of Moses and the gospel of Christ. He showed that he improves creature-comforts to all true believers, and make them comforts indeed. And Christ's works are all for use. Has he turned thy water into wine, given thee knowledge and grace? it is to profit withal; therefore draw out now, and use it. It was the best wine.

Christ's works commend themselves even to those who know not their Author. What was produced by miracles, always was the best in its kind. Though Christ hereby allows a right use of wine, he does not in the least do away his own caution, which is, that our hearts be not at any time overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, Lu 21:34. Though we need not scruple to feast with our friends on proper occasions, yet every social interview should be so conducted, that we might invite the Redeemer to join with us, if he were now on earth; and all levity, luxury, and excess offend him.

And so with respect to the future state of the saints, their best things are kept for them till last. They have many good things now; as the Gospel, Gospel ordinances, the blessings, and promises of grace, the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, presence of God, and communion with Christ. All which are better than wine: but then there is an alloy to these; they are lowered by other things, as the corruptions of the heart, the temptations of Satan, the hidings of God's face, and a variety of afflictions.

But they shall have their good and best things hereafter, and drink new wine in Christ's Father's kingdom, without any thing to lower and weaken it: they will have full joys, and never fading pleasures, and shall be without sin and sorrow; no more deserted, nor afflicted, and shall be out of the reach of Satan's temptations, and with Christ for evermore. Happy are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The answer is 4, of course. The story doesn't mention who was getting married, because that's not the focus of the story. It's the story of the first miracle that Jesus ever performed, and it just happened to occur at this wedding in Cana, to which Jesus, his mother, and his future disciples had been invited. According to the story, the hosts ran out of wine, so at his mother's urging, Jesus turned jars of water into wine. The emphasis is on the fact that it was the first time he did something miraculous, and that it made his disciples believe in him.

There were different words for wine and grape juice back then. So, yes, Jesus turned water into alcoholic wine.

What I learn from this is that drinking in moderation is allowed. Only being an alcoholic is condemned.

Unfortunately for me, when I tried to drink in moderation, my tolerance increased anyway. I must have inherited some kind of alcoholism gene. So I quit drinking.

That Jesus was not this stoic person he felt it was alright to have a good time and dance and stuff.

I wondered since he had been in the wilderness for 40 days, then came back and he still said, "it is not my time to start yet." or something like that and then it dawned on me he did everything in 40's. 40 days in the wilderness, 40 months of preaching. Acts 1: says he showed himself for 40 days after his resurrection. It is funny to me in the Bible 40 is used so much as time periods?

Wounder what that means?

The First Miracle of Jesus: Turning Water into Wine

John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

In John 2:1-11, we find what Christians tell us is the first miracle of Jesus: the turning of water into wine. But the problem is the way Jesus behaved with/to his own mother. They were at a marriage feast where his mother was the hostess, and they ran out of wine, so Mary asked her son to fetch some more. Jesus was lounging around with his posse, and bridled at the interruption, and snapped at his mother, "Woman, what have _I_ to do with YOU!?" there can be no excuse for this disrespect to his mother.

According to the Fifth Commandment in the Decalogue, children must honor their parents: Exodus 20:12 - Honor your father and your mother; in order that your days may be prolonged upon the land which the L-rd, your G-d, gives you. [See also Deuteronomy 5:16.]; Leviticus 19:3 says, Every man shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths; I am the L-rd, your G-d.

Matthew 12:46-50 (KJV) – (46) While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (47) Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. (48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! (50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. [See also Luke 2:42-50; John 2:3-4.]

Perhaps because Jesus did not honor his parents, he did not enjoy the reward of a long life on earth as promised in the Fifth Commandment!

Running out of wine at a wedding was a terrible thing to happen in this culture. It shows us Jesus cares about the things in our lives, including a person's reputation with others.

It also shows He is God, who can do what He pleases with anything.

It was Jesus' first miracle. It wasn't quite His time, but Mary provoked Him to act and He honored His mother's request, thus honoring her.

I wish I had a friend like Jesus at my wedding?

-Mary knew the divine nature of her Son.

-Jesus was willing to bend the rules (miraculous act before the beginning of His ministry) to help people out.

-Alcohol use, like sex, has an acceptable range of use.

-Jesus was a nice guy.

Remember the movie "Driving Miss Daisy" when Morgan Freeman told Miss Daisy that he had to stop because he had to go make water? Same thing, it is a joke in the bible; drink water and out comes what sometimes might look like wine. The NT story is totally fiction, and Jesus was not real.