Seven Signs of Gloryনমুনা

Day 2: A Ripple of Transformation

The seven signs in John are more than miracles; they’re a roadmap to confidence in Jesus as the Christ. Like a crescendoing musical symphony, they build to a breathtaking conclusion: Jesus is the One all history points to—the long-awaited Messiah, death’s defeater, and our eternal Saviour. He is the One our souls long for—first in our hearts, foremost in our lives, and forever at the centre of our worship.

Today, we pause on the first of these signs: a moment when, as N.T. Wright describes, “heaven is opened, and the transforming power of God’s love bursts into the present world.” At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine. This, though, is no “party trick”. It’s a signpost to Christ’s very identity and mission.

Running out of wine at a first-century wedding wasn’t just embarrassing; it was a social catastrophe. The shame would have lingered long after the celebration ended. Imagine waving at someone who’s waving at the person behind you. Multiply that humiliation by a hundred, and you’ll begin to understand the hosts’ predicament.

But into this moment of disgrace, Jesus acts. He doesn’t just meet the immediate need; He exceeds it, turning water into the finest wine. This miracle, you see, isn’t merely a demonstration of power—it’s a dam-breaking act of flowing love. Jesus is showing us who He is: the One who transforms our failures into grace-filled abundance. Is that the Jesus you know?

There’s more. The jars Jesus used were for Jewish purification rites, symbols of the old covenant with its rituals and laws. By transforming the water into wine, Jesus offers a glimpse not only of His identity, but also His mission: to fulfill and surpass the old covenant with something more glorious. Wine—symbolizing celebration, life, and the blood Jesus would shed—points us to the new covenant of grace He inaugurates.

As Augustine observes, this miracle reveals Christ’s power to transform not only the elements but also our lives. He turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, replacing failure with joyful abundance. The new wine is grace—unearned, overflowing, abundant and poured out over YOU.

Pause to reflect. What areas in your life feel marked by failure or shame? Prayerfully bring them to Jesus, the one who transforms and redeems. As you do, meditate on Jesus’ new covenant, where grace overflows like the finest wine. Christ is far more than a miracle worker. He’s your eternal Saviour, forever transforming your failures and covering your shame.