When We Are Empty, Jesus Can Fill Us With New Wine

By Tammy Hotsenpiller

It could be argued this today’s miracle wasn’t even supposed to happen. Jesus said it wasn’t time for Him to reveal Himself, but His mother asked Him for a favor, and Jesus responded to her request and turned water into wine. In some ways, it was a small thing. Running out of wine wouldn’t have been the end of the world. But isn’t it great to know that God cares even about the small things? Be encouraged today that none of our requests are insignificant to Him.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him
—JOHN 2:1–11

Turning the water into wine was the first miracle of Jesus. He had accompanied his mother to a local wedding celebration—what brought Mary to this occasion is not revealed. Chances are, He knew the bride and groom and most of the attendees. Cana was only a short distance from Nazareth, and it was a town He was well acquainted with. Suspicion was already growing in the minds of the villagers. Isn’t this our Mary? Mary from Nazareth, you know, Joseph’s wife? I heard she had a son, and He was supposedly the Son of God. Jesus, they call Him? Messiah, I heard some say.

I can only imagine the rumor mill in that little village as they waited for prophesied signs and wonders. Waiting for a demonstration of the supernatural and divine. And Jesus knew this was the moment—the moment of His unveiling with signs, wonders, power, and miracles.

As with most weddings, they typically cost more than you ever imagine. Friends invite friends that were not expected, the food and beverage selection seem to get bigger, and the total cost of the event is often miscalculated. Such was the case with the wedding in Cana. The only thing worse than the bride not showing up, was to run out of wine—and the latter is the story.

Here was Jesus at this beautiful celebration of a man and woman exchanging their vows to one another, the sacred act of marriage—and there was no wine to celebrate. The barrels had run dry. But Jesus never runs dry. He fills our soul with a new wine the wine of the Spirit. You may know the story found in John: Jesus asked for the pots to be brought to him, and he turned the water into wine. But not just any wine—a magnificent wine, a new wine…a sommelier’s dream. “Why did you save the best for last?” the guests inquired.

I can only imagine the conversation around the water well the next day. “Maybe He is the Messiah,” some undoubtedly whispered. “Maybe He is the son of God. Who knows, maybe He’ll turn this well into wine next.”

Some questioned the encounter. Some believed. And for others, they held these things quietly in their hearts. This was Jesus’ first miracle—the divine touching humanity.

May I ask you, where have you run dry?

Where do you feel depleted, lonely, disappointed, overextended?

Jesus can perform a miracle in your life. He can turn your dry and thirsty soul into one that is refreshed, joyful, and expectant.