This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Jesus turned water to wine. There are four witnesses to these miracles to consider: the governor, the bridegroom, the servants, and the disciples. There are four ways in which is glory was manifested and four ways it was received.
The Governor
He did not know what Jesus had done. He had no idea that what was in those waterpots was water. He had no idea that a miracle had even taken place. Oh but such praise from his lips! Thou hast kept the good wine until now! Though his praise was misplaced, it was genuine and honest all the same. Consider the misplaced praise we’ve given through the years. People ought to be praised for their deeds. Sure. But how much God has wrought behind the scenes for us that we knew not; that we gave him no credit for; glory that was manifested yet misplaced? I wonder.
The Bridegroom
Likewise, how much has God wrought behind the scenes that we’ve taken credit for? The bridegroom also had no idea of the miracle that Jesus had done, yet he seems to get all the credit. The bible doesn’t say that the bridegroom corrects the governor. The bible doesn’t say if he goes to the back and asks the servants, “What happened? Where did you get this? How much did it cost?” We really don’t know. But as far as the text is concerned, the bridegroom is silent. So, in his silence, the bridegroom received all the credit for the great wine; glory that was manifested yet stolen. What glory have we stolen from God in our silence?
The Servants
These were apparently the servants of the bridegroom and were busy serving in this feast. But for a few moments, they obeyed another man. Jesus said unto them “Fill the waterpots with water!” And they obeyed and filled them up to the brim. Jesus said unto them, “Draw out now, and bear it!” And they obeyed and bore it. They obeyed Jesus and they got to see water turned to wine before their very eyes. What a picture of our salvation! (Romans 6:17,18) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Those servants obeyed Jesus who is our righteousness and they got to see the glory of God. And the bible says that the servants which drew the water knew. They had knowledge of whom the glory manifested was due. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many… (Isaiah 53:11)
The Disciples
The bible says that his disciples believed on him. But wait a sec. I thought they already believed in him. They did. But faith can grow. Jesus said (Matthew 8:26) O ye of little faith. What a beautiful picture of this life in Christ! Turn the page back a little and see Jesus speaking to Nathanael (John 1:50) Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And this was the beginning of the wonderful miracles that Jesus wrought. To be a disciple of Christ is to walk with him and witness his miracles; and to see his glory manifested: to see some misplace his glory, some steal his glory, but also to see some to open their eyes, obey the gospel, and to know his glory. Paul said we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
We trust him more and more every day, yet we cry (Mark 9:24) Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. God knows our needs. God knows that sometimes our faith grows weak. But then the wind blows, and we hear the sound thereof. We see once again the hand of God working; the miracles and the glory. And our faith is strengthened. Our faith grows. That little mustard seed sprouts some little roots and begins to stretch forth it’s fingers into the good ground of God.