Finding the Gospel in a Glass of Wine

A Toast to the First Miracle

There’s something sacred about sharing a glass of wine. Whether it’s clinking glasses with friends, watching the sun dip below the horizon, or swirling a deep red at a cozy tasting room, wine invites us to slow down. To connect. To savor.

As someone who adores both wine and faith, I’ve often found myself reflecting on how intertwined these two loves really are. Not just in the romantic sense, but in the way wine shows up throughout Scripture—rich in symbolism, steeped in history, and beautifully present in the very first miracle of Jesus.

Wine in Ancient Times: More Than a Drink

In the ancient world, wine was woven into daily life. It was safer than water, used in celebrations, and central to hospitality. In Israel and the surrounding regions, cultivating a vineyard was hard work, and wine was a treasured reward. It symbolized joy, covenant, blessing. When someone poured a glass, it meant something.

That’s why the Gospel story of the wedding at Cana holds so much quiet wonder.

The Wedding at Cana: A Subtle Yet Sacred Moment

In John 2, we’re told Jesus is attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee. The celebration is well underway when the wine runs out—a major embarrassment for the hosts. Mary, Jesus’ mother, tells Him what’s happened. At first, Jesus seems hesitant. But then, He instructs the servants to fill large stone jars—used for ceremonial washing—with water. He turns that water into wine.

Not just any wine. The best wine.

It wasn’t a flashy miracle. The guests didn’t even know it had happened. But in this moment, Jesus quietly stepped into an ordinary space and turned lack into abundance. It was a miracle of joy, of provision, of divine kindness. His first sign wasn't about power—it was about presence.

And isn’t that just like Him?

A Thread of Wine Through Scripture

Wine continues to show up throughout the Bible. It’s a symbol of celebration in Psalms, a sign of blessing in Proverbs, a reminder of covenant in the Old Testament. And in the New Testament, it becomes even more profound.

At the Last Supper, Jesus holds up the cup of wine and says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

From Cana to the cross, wine tells a story: joy, sacrifice, love poured out.

From Vineyard to Victory: What Wine Reminds Me

I’ve walked through vineyards and listened to winemakers speak about the process—how grapes must be crushed, fermented, aged. How the best wines often come through patience and pressure. And I can’t help but think of how that mirrors our own spiritual journey. The waiting, the refining, the beauty born from process.

When I sip a beautifully aged wine, I’m reminded of grace. When I visit a winery tucked away in the hills, I think of the quiet miracle at Cana. And when I toast with friends, I remember how Jesus chose a table—and wine—as His place of remembrance.

A Gentle Invitation

You don’t have to be a sommelier or theologian to find meaning in your glass. Sometimes, all it takes is pausing long enough to notice that the story of wine is bigger than the drink itself. It’s a symbol of celebration, of covenant, and—if you’re open to it—of something sacred.

So here’s to the miracle at Cana. To the everyday moments infused with grace. To the best wine saved for last. And to a God who meets us not just in the grand gestures, but in the subtle, sacred sips of life.

He is Risen!

Hilary
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