Anatomy of a Miracle: Jesus Turns Water to Wine

In this Bible study session, we are going to look at the anatomy or “the internal structure or workings” of a miracle Jesus performed. We explore the first miracle Jesus performed: The Turning of Water to Wine (read John 2: 1 – 11).

In this text we see that Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding, and the mother of Jesus was also there. At some point during the event they ran out of wine, without a doubt it was an undesirable situation. Jesus worked a miracle and turned water to wine, and the wine was served at the wedding. Jesus averted what would have been a serious problem, an embarrassment, and traumatic situation for the couple. So what are the workings of this miracle?

1. There Was a Request/Prayer.

The Bible records in John 2 verse 3:

And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” (New King James Version).

Mary the mother of Jesus made a request or a prayer for Jesus to intervene. As children of God, we have the privilege of going to God in prayer and asking for things. See what the Bible says about that in Matthew 7 verses 7 to 11:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then,being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (New King James Version)

God wants to give good things to those who ask Him! Asking God for things results in the miraculous.

2. There Was An Expectation and She Acted On Her Expectation.

After Mary the mother of Jesus told Him they had run out of wine, Jesus told her that His time had not yet come, but Mary had an expectation and she acted on it. The Bible says in John 2 verse 5:

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (New International Version)

Whenever we pray, we should believe that God will grant our request, and we should act in faith. Remember the Bible says in Mark 11 verse 24:

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (King James Version)

Are you acting on your expectations?

3. Jesus Gave an instruction and They Obeyed the Instruction.

You will find that an instruction often proceeds a miracle. See the case of Naaman the Leper (2 Kings 5: 1 – 14), the ten lepers (Luke 17: 11 – 14), and the man born blind (John 9:7). They were all given an instruction and when they obeyed, they promptly received a miracle.

In the wedding at Cana of Galiliee, Jesus gave an instruction which was obeyed. Let us look at John 2 verses 7 to 9:

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside. (New International Version)

What instruction has God given you? Have you obeyed it?

4. There Was a Miracle.

A miracle took place because God is a miracle working God. You only have to do your part. Remember Jesus said so many times “be it unto you according to your faith”. It means you have a part to play to receive a miracle. So start now to pray and ask God for the things you desire (Matthew 7: 7 – 11; John 16:23 - 24). Believe you have received it (Mark 11:24) and act in faith, act on your expectation.

Receive God’s instruction and obey it. Sometimes God doesn’t need to speak to you specifically, His instruction is right there in the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word. Obey the Word of God.

A miracle awaits you