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The wedding at Cana

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John 2:1-12

11 ‘This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him’.

Full bible text

John 2 verses 1-12
1 “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.[a] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days”.

About this painting

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After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He appointed His first disciples and began His public ministry in Galilee. He was invited to a wedding feast in Cana. There He performed a miraculous sign; "the beginning of the signs," which indicated the purpose and content of His work on earth.
He used His miraculous power to bring joy to the place where the foundation of life is laid: marriage. He revealed His glory there.
A wedding is a picture of the covenant relationship between God and His people, the believers.

The six stone water-jars for ritual cleansing symbolize the Old Covenant. The pots are empty. This means: The Old Covenant has ended. It was temporary. Hebrews 8:13.
The jars are filled with water. This means: Jesus fulfills all the righteousness required by the Old Covenant. He brings cleansing and glory in a new way.
He changes the water into wine. Being cleansed by Jesus means: rebirth, forgiveness, and renewal.
The wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which He shed on Golgotha for His bride, the church. Through that blood, cleansing from all sin is possible.
At the institution of Holy Communion, He says over the cup of wine: "This cup is the New Testament/Covenant in My blood."

Through faith in Jesus, people become part of the New Covenant, part of the bride church, who will celebrate the heavenly wedding with her Lord, Jesus. There He will drink the wine "new in His Kingdom." This new wine brings lasting joy to the heart. Thus, the celebration can continue!

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