A Wedding Like No Other - John 2:1-11

Introduction:

Over the past year, I’ve had a front-row seat to the beauty, joy and drama of weddings. In October 2023, I experienced the life-changing moment of getting married myself. Then in 2024, I attended three weddings: Jay and Kinnon Patsch, Jacob and Kenzie Johnson and then Zeb and Sarah Nelson. Each of these celebrations were unique but shared a common thread: Christ was at the center.

Then in October, I had a completely different perspective when I officiated my first wedding for two friends, Alex and Justin. While their wedding wasn’t Christ-centered in the same way as the others, it was still beautiful and meaningful. It was a reminder to me that marriage is a gift of God that brings joy. And Christian weddings stand out for me because: the focus is on Jesus, the ultimate Bridegroom.

Looking back, I’ve gained a new perspective for what goes into weddings: the planning, the stress, the details, and the hope that everything goes off without a hitch or knowing how to fix them when they come up. This perspective helps me see why Jesus’ first miracle happened at a wedding. In ancient Jewish culture, weddings were seen as a big event for their communities, some being multi-day celebrations lasting up to a week or more! There were ceremonies, parades through the town, feasting and lots of wine. Weddings were such big deals that the bride and groom were treated like royalty—literally wearing crowns and special robes. The wine was important because it symbolized joy and abundance. It was so important that to run out of it was a social disaster, one so severe it could even lead to someone giving the family a lawsuit!

Jesus’ ministry, at least here in John, doesn’t start with a miracle in the temple or a dramatic healing or the virgin birth. Instead, Jesus begins His ministry at a celebration—a moment of joy, beauty, and saving a couple from huge potential embarrassment. But there’s more to this story than simply being the hero of the party. Why a wedding? Why does the wine matter? And what does this moment tell us about Jesus and what He came to do?

Big Idea: Jesus reveals the overflowing grace of God, providing for all in need and pointing us to the joy and fullness of His Kingdom.

Scripture Reading: John 2:1–11

John 2:1–11 CSB

On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’s mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother told him, “They don’t have any wine.” “What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” “Do whatever he tells you,” his mother told the servants. Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons. “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.” And they did. When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

This is the Word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

“They Have No Wine” (vv. 1-3)

I wonder, how many of us have been to some weddings, wedding parties and receptions? Maybe some of us (at our weddings or someone else’s) have experienced an awkward moment when the food, drinks, or snacks runs out, (whether it was your wedding or someone else’s). For the couple, and the families that are hosting, it can be pretty embarrassing. The problem we are presented with is they have ran out of wine. Whatever her job was with the wedding, Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew of about this problem and tells Jesus, “They don’t have any wine.” 

At first glance, seems like a simple social hiccup. As the story focuses on Jesus, it’s not simply about running out of wine; it’s a sign of a deeper issue: spiritual shortage. The problem is a lack of wine and I think, through Jesus’ perspective, the lack of wine symbolizes the spiritual state of Israel.

The Spiritual State of Israel

Their history is full of God working miracles and wonders, revealing himself to them. Their history is full of God intervening and giving them a way to find forgiveness and shelter in God’s presence. Their history is full of turning their backs on this wonderful God, turning to idols, turning to the strength of other nations, turning to their corrupt kings. Their history has led them to judgement. Listen to what God says about Israel in Isaiah 24 (5–13) (NIV) ,

“The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant… The new wine dries up and the vine withers; all the merrymakers groan…” Then in verse 11, it says, “In the streets they cry out for wine; all joy turns to gloom, all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.”

After a long history, now under Rome’s oppression, there is no joy. It has faded. There’s no reason to sing happy songs and be festive. Makes sense why weddings are so important for the people to have joy; something to celebrate.

From the days of the wilderness, they broke the covenant that God made with them. They repeatedly broke it, even after all the mercy and warnings. Now, they have no more joy, they’re hungry for life, they are spiritually dehydrated. But I don’t think this is limited to Israel; I think this applies also to the spiritual state of our world.

The Spiritual State of Our World

If I could say it in one word, I think we’re all “thirsty.” Maybe we’re thirsty for joy in our lives. Maybe we’re thirsty to have purpose in our lives. Maybe broken relationships in our lives, lack of connection and community has left you feeling alone and thirsty. Maybe we’re thirsty because we just feel empty doing the same old things, same old routines. Where are we empty? Where have we run out of wine? How many different things do we need to try? How many books do we need to read? How much content, news, talk shows, podcasts and audiobooks, (my personal favorite), do we need to consume before we are satisfied in life?

The beauty of Jesus, here at the wedding, in the midst of a lack of wine, there is beauty in that: he’s there. Where there is emptiness, where the joy has run out, that’s where he shows up. Jesus has come to reveal all the joy that there is to have, and it only comes through him and his presence. Where our efforts to satisfy ourselves fall incredibly short, Jesus is the one that steps into our emptiness and provides for our deepest needs.

Transition: Just as the wine running out at the wedding foreshadows all our spiritual emptiness, Jesus’ response reminds us that God’s plan to help us happens in His perfect timing.

“My Hour Has Not Yet Come” (vv. 4-5)

Jesus’ response to His mother in verse 4 might seem abrupt or even rude at first glance. But it’s important to understand the context. When Jesus calls her “woman,” it’s not disrespectful—it’s a term He uses again in John 19:26 while showing compassion as he still is caring for her from the cross, to make sure she’s taken care of. Here, I believe, Jesus is gently but firmly establishing that His mission is tied to the Father’s will, not human expectations. Whether it’s His mother, His disciples, or anyone else, Jesus’ actions are always in perfect obedience to God’s plan and timing.

Then, it’s here for the first time in John’s Gospel: Jesus says, “my hour has not yet come.” Normally, I thought this referred to not being revealed as the Messiah just yet. However, each time we read this phrase, it always refers to one thing: hour of his death. In passages like John 7:6; 8:20; 12:27; 16:32, just to name a few, when Jesus refers to his “hour,” he’s talking about when he’s going to die for the world.

The Plan from the Beginning

At this wedding, with all that is happening in this moment, with what Jesus is hearing and seeing, he’s thinking about his death. From the moment you read chapter 1, spoiler alert, we’re told the Son of God is came into the world to give his life for the world. Before Jesus even does his first sign, before he does his first miracle, he’s thinking about his death.

This was the plan from the beginning. According to John’s Gospel, before any miracle happened, before any confrontation with the Jewish leaders, this was the plan. His ultimate mission was the cross. His ultimate mission was dying on the cross. So when Jesus speaks about “his hour,” I think something greater is being foreshadowed. What if the thing in view is the greater “wedding feast” that will take place in eternity through Christ’s sacrifice?

An Unfolding Parable

For Jesus, the wedding and the problem of wine is like an unfolding parable. The wedding symbolizes what he came to do–bring God’s kingdom to earth and to invite people into the kingdom. If the wine represents joy and fulfillment, only Jesus can provide them fully. All throughout the Bible is the picture of God and humanity being in covenant, being united together like a marriage. The church is called the Bride, and the Lord is called the Bridegroom. And one day, the groom and the bride will be united forever. God’s plan, prophesied for centuries, is finally happening. God’s plan is unfolding perfectly.

Transition: As great as all that sounds, the thing with God’s plan, we have a hard time trusting it. Not because his plan isn’t good, but it means submitting our plans, and ourselves to him.

Trust the Lord

The text doesn’t tell us whether or not Mary understood Jesus. Most likely, she didn’t fully understand what Jesus was thinking. What we are told is that she trusted Him. Instead of questioning or doubting, she turned to the servants and said, “Do whatever he tells you.” By doing that, Mary not only submitted her authority to Jesus but also showed her confidence in Him. She didn’t know how Jesus would resolve the situation, but she trusted that His plan would be better.

How often do we try to force our own solutions instead of waiting for God’s timing and provision? We may struggle with the unknown, but He already knows what He will do. His plans are good, joyful, and full of grace. The question for us is: will we trust Him and his good plans for us?

Transition: Mary’s trust sets the stage for what happens next. When Jesus gives the command to the servants, His action goes far beyond solving a practical problem or saving the bride and groom from social embarrassment. What He does points to the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises and the abundance of His grace.

“Fill the Jars with Water” (vv. 6-10)

Old Covenant Completion

“Fill the jars with water.” These stone jars, typically used for ritual purification, point to the Old Covenant’s focus on external cleansing. This was a practice deeply embedded in Jewish tradition, particularly among the Pharisees. The fact that they were stone suggests adherence to Levitical law, which avoided ritual contamination that could happen with clay vessels. The water was for handwashing and cleansing utensils, symbolic of the Old Covenant’s emphasis on outward purity.

But Jesus’ command to “fill it to the brim” reveals more. These jars, once symbolic of an incomplete purification, are now filled to the brim—symbolizing the fulfillment and completion of the Old Covenant in Jesus. What the law could not do—fully purify or satisfy—is now made complete in Him.

The law was a good gift, revealing God’s high standards for holiness and showing us our need for His grace. But it also highlighted our inability to meet those standards. Jesus, however, fulfills the law and offers something far better. In Him, the Old Covenant gives way to a New Covenant, where grace abounds.

As John 1:16-17 says: “Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from His fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Through Jesus, we are not just externally purified—we are fully transformed. He fills us, cleanses us, and offers us more than rituals could ever provide. His grace is abundant, overflowing, and transformative.

Transition: This provision is not only sufficient—it’s extravagant and lavish.

Lavish Provision

Everything Jesus does is in abundance and overflow. Remember the size of these jars?—holding a total of 120-180 gallons! When the water is miraculously turned to wine and served to the head host, John doesn’t dwell on the transformation of the water itself but on the extravagance of what it symbolizes. Over 120 gallons of wine! This is a picture of God’s extravagant grace—lavish, overflowing, and beyond what we could imagine.

This miracle fulfills a promise seen throughout Scripture, including Isaiah 25:6–9 (CSB): “On this mountain, the Lord of Armies will prepare for all the peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast with aged wine, prime cuts of choice meat, fine vintage wine. On this mountain he will swallow up the shroud [of the grave]… When he has swallowed up death once and for all, the Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and remove his people’s disgrace from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said, “Look, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him. Let’s rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”” 

This feast is a powerful symbol of the Messianic age—a time of joy, salvation, and abundance. Jesus’ provision of wine at Cana doesn’t merely resolve a social crisis; it’s declaring the arrival of a new age. He fulfills the promise of overflowing grace, not just figuratively but tangibly.

Imagine the wedding couple’s situation: one moment, they face social humiliation; the next, they have an abundance of wine that could bless their household long after the wedding. When God provides, it’s not just “enough”; it overflows, transforming lack into abundance and shame into joy.

Transition: John calls this extravagant provision of wine at Cana a “sign.” A sign points us to something far greater: in this case, the joy and fullness of God’s Kingdom, inaugurated by the Bridegroom Himself. 

“Until Now” (v. 10-11)

Then we see in John 2:10-11, “…the master of the feast called the bridegroom and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.” Jesus is the Bridegroom who reveals the overflowing grace of God, providing for all in need and pointing us to the joy and fullness of His Kingdom.

The Bridegroom Has Come

Jesus didn’t come at random or accidentally stumble out of Heaven. From the beginning, this was God’s plan: to save the world and call for Himself a people—His Church, His Bride.

Romans 5:6 says, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.” Similarly, Galatians 4:4-5 tells us, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” At the right time, God sent Jesus Christ to fulfill the covenant and redeem us.

The Joy and Fullness of God’s Kingdom

The abundant wine Jesus provides foreshadows the joy and celebration to come for those who enter His Kingdom. Revelation 19 paints a picture of the ultimate celebration—the marriage feast of the Lamb. After the final enemies of God are defeated, there will be a great rejoicing:

Revelation 19:6-9 declares, “Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude… Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself… Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!”

This wedding supper will be a time of ultimate joy, where the union of Christ and His Church is celebrated in a feast unlike anything the world has ever seen.

The Revelation of His Glory

John tells us in verse 11 that this miracle is the first of Jesus’ signs. Turning water to wine reveals His glory, leading His disciples to believe in Him. But this sign points beyond itself: the water turned to wine is a foretaste of His greater work—His life poured out on the cross to bring eternal joy and healing.

Jesus came to obey the Father’s will and to be the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. His life was poured out like water into a cup, but that water becomes wine—the abundant, eternal life He offers to all who believe. In Jesus, God’s glory is fully revealed, and we are invited to trust Him as the only source of life and joy.

Conclusion

This story reveals more than a wedding miracle—it unveils Jesus’ mission. He meets us in our emptiness, filling us with joy and grace that overflow. Wherever you feel lack or thirst in your life, Jesus invites you to trust Him, to come to Him, and to taste His overflowing grace.

This wedding is a glimpse of the greater feast to come, where Christ’s glory will be fully revealed, and His joy will never run out. The beauty of Jesus is that God’s grace meets us in our emptiness, not with stinginess but with an outpouring of joy and fullness.

So, where do you find yourself today? Is Jesus enough for you? Are you enjoying the abundance of His grace and joy? For some, this passage may remind us that God’s timing is perfect, even when we don’t understand it. For others, it offers hope—hope in the ultimate Bridegroom who has come to unite His people to Himself in a covenant of love, joy, and abundance.

Jesus invites you to trust Him, to be filled with His joy, and to look forward to the day when His Kingdom will be fully realized in the greatest celebration of all. Amen.

[1] Hamilton, James M., Jr., and Brian J. Vickers. 2019. John–Acts. Edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar. Vol. IX. ESV Expository Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.