Mary’s Faith Is Rewarded

Though Mary did not have a right concept of Christ’s mission, she trusted Him completely. To this faith He responded. Jesus performed His first miracle to honor her trust and to strengthen the faith of His disciples. From the prophecies the disciples understood without a doubt that Jesus was the Messiah, but they were bitterly disappointed by the unbelief, deep-seated prejudice, and hatred that the priests and rabbis displayed toward Jesus. The Savior’s early miracles strengthened the disciples to stand against opposition.HH 60.5

Mary said to those serving at the tables, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”HH 60.6

Beside the doorway stood six large stone water jars. Jesus told the servants to fill these with water. Then He said, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” Instead of water, the jars yielded wine.HH 60.7

When he tasted the wine the servants brought, the ruler of the feast found it superior to any he had ever before drunk. Turning to the bridegroom, he said, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then that which is inferior; but you have kept the good wine until now”!HH 60.8

The gifts the world offers may please the eye and fascinate the senses, but they prove unsatisfying. The “wine” turns to bitterness, the good times to gloom. What began with songs and mirth ends in weariness and disgust. But the gifts of Jesus are always fresh and new. The feast that He provides never fails to give satisfaction and joy. There can be no short supply. If you abide in Him, a rich gift today ensures that you will receive a richer gift tomorrow.HH 61.1

The gift of Christ to the marriage feast was a symbol. Human hands brought the water to fill the jars, but the word of Christ alone could give it life-giving power. The word of Christ provided ample supply for the feast. His grace is similarly abundant to blot out iniquity and to renew and sustain the spiritual life. The wine Christ provided for the feast, and which He gave the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape. Isaiah refers to this when he speaks of the new wine “in the cluster,” and says, “Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it.” Isaiah 65:8.HH 61.2

In the Old Testament, Christ gave the warning, “Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1. He Himself provided no such beverage. Satan tempts men and women to indulge in things that will cloud their reason and numb their spiritual perceptions, but Christ teaches us to bring the lower nature into subjection. It was Christ who directed that John the Baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink. He commanded similar abstinence for Samson’s mother. And He pronounced a curse on anyone who would put the bottle to his neighbor’s lips. See Habakkuk 2:15. Christ did not contradict His own teaching. The unfermented wine that He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink.HH 61.3

As the guests commented about the wine, some asked questions that drew from the servants an account of the miracle. When finally the assembled guests looked for Jesus, He had quietly slipped away.HH 61.4

Attention now turned to the disciples, giving them the opportunity to acknowledge their faith in Jesus. They told what they had seen and heard at the Jordan. News of the miracle spread and was carried to Jerusalem. With new interest the priests and elders searched the prophecies pointing to Christ’s coming.HH 61.5