Logo Copyright © 2007 NCCG - All Rights Reserved
Return to Main Page

RESOURCES

Disclaimer

Introduction

Symphony of Truth

In a Nutshell

Topical Guide

5-144000

5 Commissions

10 Commandments

333 NCCG Number

144,000, The

A

Action Stations

Agency, Free

Alcohol

Angels

Anointing

Apostles

Apostolic Interviews

Apostolic Epistles

Archive, Complete

Articles & Sermons

Atheism

Atonement

B

Banners

Baptism, Water

Baptism, Fire

Becoming a Christian

Bible Codes

Bible Courses

Bible & Creed

C

Calendar of Festivals

Celibacy

Charismata & Tongues

Chavurat Bekorot

Christian Paganism

Chrism, Confirmation

Christmas

Church, Fellowship

Contact us

Constitution

Copyright

Covenants & Vows

Critics

Culture

Cults

D

Deliverance

Demons

Desperation

Diaries

Discipleship

Dreams

E

Ephraimite Page, The

Essene Christianity

Existentialism

F

Faith

Family, The

Feminism

FAQ

Festivals of Yahweh

Festivals Calendar

Freedom

G

Gay Christians

Gnosticism

Godhead, The

H

Heaven

Heresy

Healing

Health

Hebrew Roots

Hell

Hinduism

History

Holiness

Holy Echad Marriage

Holy Order, The

Home Education

Homosexuality

Human Nature

Humour

Hymnody

I

Intro to NCCG.ORG

Islam

J

Jewish Page, The

Judaism, Messianic

Judaism, Talmudic

K

KJV-Only Cult

L

Links

Love

M

Marriage & Romance

Membership

Miracles

Messianic Judaism

Mormonism

Music

Mysticism

N

NCCG Life

NCCG Origins

NCCG Organisation

NCCG, Spirit of

NCCG Theology

NDE's

Nefilim

New Age & Occult

NCMHL

NCMM

New Covenant Torah

Norwegian Website

O

Occult Book, The

Occult Page, The

Olive Branch

Orphanages

P

Paganism, Christian

Pentecost

Poetry

Politics

Prayer

Pre-existence

Priesthood

Prophecy

Q

Questions

R

Rapture

Reincarnation

Resurrection

Revelation

RDP Page

S

Sabbath

Salvation

Satanic Ritual Abuse

Satanism

Science

Sermons & Articles

Sermons Misc

Sermonettes

Sex

Smoking

Sonship

Stewardship

Suffering

Swedish Website

T

Talmudic Judaism

Testimonies

Tithing

Tongues & Charismata

Torah

Trinity

True Church, The

TV

U

UFO's

United Order, The

V

Visions

W

Wicca & the Occult

Women

World News

Y

Yah'shua (Jesus)

Yahweh

Z

Zion


    2
    JOHANNINE ESSAYS
    Symbolism of the Miracle at Cana
    (30 September 1982)

    by Christopher C. Warren, M.A.(Oxon)

    Intro | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
    12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

    As everyone is aware, the story of the wedding at Cana is not recorded in the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark & Luke). It is an appropriate introduction to John's account of Christ's ministry in that the central issue of this narrative is not the miracle of changing water into wine (though that is also significant) but is rather the amazing thing that happens when He who is the Bridegroom, the real genuine Bridegroom, attends the festival of a Jewish wedding, a marriage ceremony among the people of Yahweh, and transforms it. For this is the mission of the Messiah: to transform the Old (Mosaic) Covenant into the New. The changing of water to wine is thus a fitting symbol or type.

    Many have speculated as to who the bridegroom of the Canaan wedding was but it seems likely that it refers to a close relative of Yah'shua (Jesus) or was Yah'shua's (Jesus') own wedding. It may even have been the very first Christian wedding, certainly in scripture, at any rate, and may even have been John the Baptist's. We are not told.

    The key to the symbolism of the miracle is renewal, a theme common to the Gospels relative to a man's spiritual renewal in Christ. Christ is the One who brings life and light, rebirth and salvation, to those who believe on His name. This can be seen in the wedding for the only persons aware of the miracle are the servants - the bridegroom and toastmaster are oblivious to what has happened. These servants, the low and humble physically (in terms of worldly goods and station) are fitting symbols of the disciples of the Messiah who are called to renounce all worldly things and to humbly petition for grace through the Son. Those of important rank are thus unaware of the miracles being performed around them, a characteristic of those who are blind and who live in darkness, for likely they would not comprehend the miracle if they saw it (and perhaps even deny it).

    Wine is the symbolical sacramental emblem of the New Covenant representing the spilled blood of the Messiah at Calvary. This story, coming at the beginning of the ministry, could well be a prophecy of what was to conclude the ministry, crucifixion and death. Water was used by the Jews for ritual washing before meals; though it could wash away dirt from the body, it could not wash away sin from the soul. To be effective in spiritual regeneration, it had to be turned into wine, the symbol of the blood of the Lamb which could wash away sin. Aptly, the water was contained in six stone jars. Many commentators believe there is no symbolic significance in the presence of six jars, suggesting there were six persons at the wedding. This is unlikely when one considers that those present were Yah'shua (Jesus), Mary, the Bridegroom, the Bride, the Toastmaster, and several disciples. Six is the biblical number for man, or imperfection; it is used to represent Satan in John's Apocalypse - 666 - imperfect man is an unholy trinity. Thus the six stone jars stand for the Law (Torah) as given through Moses which are converted into jars of wine in abundance, symbolising also the abundance of Christ's gift (assuming He changed all the water into wine; some commentators suggest the water was changed into wine only as it was being served out).

    The steward (or toastmaster) is used by John in a piece of prophetic irony when he declares to the bridegroom: "Every many serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now". The ignorance of the steward is clear - he does not understand that the good wine, reserved to the end, is symbolic of eternal life which Yahweh keeps to the end for those who are true and faithful. But the servants know, through their faith and obedience to the Master, and so they see more; the wise and prudent are blind whereas the humble and contrite see with their spiritual eyes.

    The significance and symbolism of the miracle is therefore clear - it is an introduction to the true Bridegroom and a prophecy of the end, which is even more significant when one considers that Christ, the revelation of Elohim (God) in man, is called the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, the Alef and the Tav. Thus the story gets across the eternal nature of Christ, which is the whole purpose of John's gospel, bearing witness that Yah'shua (Jesus) of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of Elohim (God).

    Intro | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
    12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21


    This page was created on 4 February 2004
    Updated on 4 February 2004

    Copyright © 1987-2008 NCCG - All Rights Reserved