THE SERVANTS’ SECRET

When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.’  

John 2:9-10

​The setting was the wedding feast at Cana, and it was the scene of Christ’s first miracle as Jesus the Messiah (John 2:11). Many people know the story, but very few—including those who were there—know what it really means. Yes, Jesus changed water to wine, showing Himself as the Creator God. But two other important facts linger in the background.

​First, notice the use of the terms “good wine” and “poorer wine”. Whenever God’s kingdom is compared to wine, it is always described as “sweet wine” (e.g., Joel 3:18), i.e. fresh wine, free from the “leaven of the Pharisees” that represents the corruption and decay that is in the world, and seen in the fermentation found in aged wine. Accordingly, saving the good wine until last in the wedding is a powerful symbol of how God saves the best until last; His glorious kingdom will be free of all of mankind’s evil corruption and drunken antics.

​Secondly, take note of who all knew that a miracle had taken place. It wasn’t the headwaiter or even the bride or bridegroom; only the servants knew the truth! No wonder Jesus wants us to be “servants”.

It is we who know the truth that goes on behind the scenes; it is His servants who are really aware of the power that controls this world; it is His servants who carry on His work and His will in a sinful world, until it is finally transformed into the true wedding feast that God intended.

Davy L. Troxel