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Several years ago, as I was walking into my kitchen, I heard my daughter ask my husband a most interesting Bible question: “Dad, why did Jesus choose a wedding to perform His first miracle?”

That thought had never occurred to me. What a great thought provoking question.  Why indeed did Jesus choose a wedding to perform his first miracle?

My mind was racing to understand the reason and find an answer. Then, the answer came to me as clear as daylight. It was as if a light was suddenly turned on in a dark room. I saw and understood everything clearly in that passage (John 2: 1-11).

The reason Christ chose a wedding to perform His first miracle was because it mirrored and symbolized His entire redemptive mission in all its details. Christ who is the bridegroom had come to save His bride (Matt. 9:15, 25:1, 5,6,10, Mark 2:19, 20, Luke 5: 34, 35, John 2:9, 3:29, Rev. 10:7, 21:9, 21:2.

Let’ examine the details: The narrative is focused entirely on Christ and His actions. The couple getting married remains entirely in the backdrop and is referenced only when the master of the banquet questions the husband regarding the wine.

Aside from Christ there are three important elements to examine in this passage: 1. The six ceremonial jars 2. The water 3. The wine.

First, the six jars symbolize man. The six jars were no ordinary jars. The passage states that they were ceremonial jars. This is extremely meaningful. This forces us to look at the purpose and function of these jars. Ceremonial jars were used in the ritual process for the cleansing and purification of sins. It was no coincidence that these ceremonial jars were there at the time that Jesus arrived at the wedding.

The fact that there were six jars (not one or two or four but six) is very indicative. God created man on the sixth day. The number six is the number of man.

Second, Water was poured into the six ceremonial jars to symbolize Christ’s purification of man. Water was an essential part of the purification process and was used by the Levite priests (bronze Laver) to cleanse themselves prior to entering the tabernacle and Temple Lev. 8:6, 14:9 and for the people during purification ceremonies from sin or from objects considered unclean.

Third, the wine represents the blood of Jesus, poured out for the forgiveness of man’s sins. The master of the banquet described the wine as “choice [wine]” NIV and “good [wine] ESV. Naturally the wine would be the best and finest wine, for it symbolized the precious blood of our Savior Jesus-Christ. Water may temporarily wash away dirt and sin. But the blood of Jesus Christ is the one element that seals our justification, reunites us with the father and binds us (the Church) to Christ, our bridegroom.

The typology or symbol of this passage herald the arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the bridegroom and symbolized what he had come to accomplish in His earthly mission: The purification and redemption of his bride (all those who accept him as Savior) the Church.

The real bridegroom at the wedding in Cana was Jesus Christ, Himself and the bride is The Church.