A deeper understanding of why Jesus changed the water into wine.

The first miracle that Jesus performed before He began His ministry was to turn water into wine at a marriage feast.

This wine was the best one served to the guests and it had significant meaning to us.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He saith unto them, Draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 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, 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. (John 2:7-10)

Have you ever wondered why Jesus used the water pots that were used for purification?

According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, the customs of the Jews were to practice three types of washing or Ablution for purification.

1) Washing of the hands, (2) washing of the hands and feet, and (3) immersion of the whole body in water.

The Jews were required to wash their hands before performing any holy acts and persons afflicted with unclean issues had to wash their hands before touching anything (See Leviticus 15:11).

The significance of ceremonial washing (Ablution)

The Jews also wash their hands before meals and before prayers.

Washing both hands and feet was required by Moses’ law to perform the priestly functions. (See Exodus 30:19).

The washing of the entire body is done by immersion.

It is usually done either in a natural fountain or stream or in a properly constructed miḳweh, or ritual bath, containing at least forty seahs (about one hundred and twenty gallons) (: Bernard Drachman, Kaufmann Kohler)

The water used in the ceremony must be pure as it was used to signify purification and sanctification.

The ceremonial washing means holiness and communion with God.

Ablution was also used to cleanse the body from impurity (eg Naaman the leper in 2 Kings 5) and to prepare the body for a higher degree of holiness.

No priest could enter the holiest place without performing the proper washing.

The six waterpots

The six water jars at the wedding were completely empty which means that the water was used up by the people to wash their hands and feet before the ceremony.

Even though Jesus had not officially begun His ministry He felt that it was necessary to perform this miracle.

I believe the miracle had a symbolic meaning and was done to teach us about the significance of the wine.

The six water jars represent mankind.

By changing the water into wine Jesus demonstrates that He came to fulfill the purification of humanity both physically and spiritually.

The wine signifies the new covenant of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity.

Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (See Hebrews 9:22).

 So, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them, that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)

Through the Lord Jesus Christ, you can be cleansed from your sins and have a relationship with God – the Father.

Jesus reserved the best wine for us. Therefore, the least we can do in return is to give Him the best of the oil and wine.

Read: The Significance of the Oil and Wine

References

Jewish Encyclopedia

How to become the Oil and Wine

Studies have shown that red wine contains antioxidants that can help to build and repair tissue damage, may reduce the risk of heart disease, and liver disease, and it may offer protection against prostate cancer. (Stylecraze)