Will You Marry Me?Sample

 Washed Clean 

Today, let’s learn more about the significance of the water pots at the wedding in Cana. 

These stone water pots were used by the Jews for ceremonial washing. In this culture, the Jewish people would wash their hands before and after meals, and if this failed to happen, it was considered a transgression. Being ceremonially clean was a must to obey Jewish law. 

The water stored in the stone pots was pure and preserved for cleansing. These pots were large and held twenty to thirty gallons of water each. Jesus told the servants to fill the pots with water, and they obeyed. 

It’s important to note that the pots were completely filled to the brim; no other substance would have fit into them. They were filled with water alone. 

Based on what we’ve learned about the Old and New Covenants, why do you think it was symbolic that Jesus chose the pure cleansing water in these ceremonial jars to be turned to wine? 

This miracle foreshadows that the people would no longer need the outward washing of water to be ceremonially clean. Jesus sent His spirit—also called the “living water”—after His mission on earth was completed, and we can receive an inward cleansing from our sin. 

By turning this ceremonial water into new wine, He gave a picture of the New Covenant to come. The water used in the old system for cleansing became obsolete when the living water of His spirit came. Jesus did all the cleansing through His sacrifice. 

We can see more about how this new method of cleansing compares to the old method in today’s passage in Matthew. 

The old water cleaned only the outside. The new wine of the New Covenant foreshadowed in this story cleans us from the inside out, once and for all. 

After the pots had been filled, Jesus told the servants to draw some water out and take it to the head waiter. They did what He asked, and when the head waiter tasted the wine, he mentioned that everyone usually brings out the best wine first, then saves the cheap wine until after the guests have had too much to drink. They had saved the best until now.   

As believers, we’re betrothed to Christ here on earth and look forward to our future marriage and wedding feast. What the head waiter said is still true for us today: The best is yet to come. 

Jesus’ disciples saw this miracle, understood that it was supernatural, and put their faith in Him. When we put our faith in Jesus, we become clean on the inside, we’re made pure by His blood, and He washes our sins away. 

He makes all things new—and the best is still yet to come!