Why did Jesus choose the wedding at Cana for His first miracle?
John 2:1 - 11
ESV - 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.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Gawie Mynhardt
I think that turning water into wine was more an act of 'meaning' of what his intentions for creation is. I think God (Jesus) wanted to show first off that he comes to us to give us hope, when the situation looks hopeless, he can turn things around. He wants to turn things around. This miracle is very different to the others, and I think it has little to do with power and authority, it has to do with the perception of who God really is.
John Matthews
The miracle at Cana (John 2:11) is the first miracle recorded in Scripture. Mary was fully aware of the divinity of her Son as evidenced by her request. Mary asked Him to perform this water into wine miracle because she already knew of His abilities to accomplish such a miracle.
The other examples given, including mine, are pure conjecture. Still, there are other accounts of Jesus doing miraculous things in some other texts prior to Cana, which are not located in the Christian canon.
I, personally, don't believe that the Cana miracle was Jesus' first. Just the first recorded, first hand account in the Bible of Jesus' miraculous ministry.
Danny Hickman
I think you're probably right Mr Matthews; I don't believe the John 2 miracle was necessarily Jesus' first. I believe the Scriptures are theologically strategic in how they are presented.
His first miracle, His going public by turning well-water to fine wine, ignited His profession to strengthen God's proposal for salvation. It was an upgrade. It went from being about God's law (water) to God's grace (wine). And the last asset was superior to the first. That might be the point intended for an allegory the miracle is used to represent.
The part of Mr Houdmann's analysis that said 'Jesus' presence at the wedding showed His approval of the marriage covenant,' should be read with careful thought. (I ain't saying Jesus doesn't approve of marriage, but consider the logic). The Pharisees criticized Jesus for His intimacy with the people they judged to be sinners. (He ate with them). I believe they reckoned Him eating with sinners as Him showing APPROVAL of sinners in some way.
I've never needed the scriptures to assure me that Jesus approves of marriage. We don't need to "protect marriage." Nor attempt to make Jesus' miracles fit some liberal or conservative, political agenda item. It shows up way too much in some of our teachings of the Scriptures.
This miracle is a depiction of something much deeper than Jesus keeping a party going! I think it illustrates a new impending ministry! A long awaited upgrade!!