The young couple had just finished the ritual of marriage. Weddings in Cana were nothing to sneeze at. The party could last for seven days or more, so this could mean considerable expense for the family. It was a social disgrace to run out of wine. Not only would the family be shamed, but the head of the house would take the brunt of it. For weeks I’d been planning this event with the couple. My husband, Abner has a vineyard that supplies wine for these occasions. Since my skills are more devoted to planning and taking care of details, we make the perfect team to set wedding festivals into motion. Abner and I knew that this family was struggling financially. These were not only customers, but friends. We would bring the best wine we could without sending them into deep debt.

Wine in Israel is not always the best. Actually, it’s quite bitter and things like berries or other fruit and maybe herbs or honey would be added to make the taste more palatable. As Mary, the mother of Jesus, was on hand to help with all the preparations, she was the person I worked closely with. Mary knew that wine was an important part of the feast and thought they had ordered enough. Abner and I arrived early, unloaded the wine jugs and prepared the cups for serving. When all was ready, we waited. The bride was lovely. The groom looked a little nervous, but proud at the same time. They had been joined together under Jewish custom as husband and wife and planning out a lifetime together. No amount of preparation can help when something unexpected happens. We filled their cups with sparse amounts of wine so there would enough to last. More visitors arrived. Eventually the first obstacle in this marriage occurred. They ran out of wine.

Mary went to her son, Jesus and related the problem. I listened as she pleaded for His intervention. Jesus replied, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”  Mary turned towards the servants and said, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Jesus told the servants to fill six empty water jars with water. The servants did as they were told. When they brought the filled jars to Jesus. He raised his hands and said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” Water had been transformed into wine. We were witness to this miracle. That first sip from the cup was heavenly. The bridegroom was asked why he saved the best wine for last. It was at that moment I knew Jesus was not just an ordinary man. He had come for a far greater purpose. To take the bitter cup of suffering for me and the entire world, so we could be presentable to God. In Him and through Him, we would always be provided for with the very best.