Garden villa

Part 9 of 35 Water into wine

Jesus, his mother and his first followers were invited to a wedding in the village of Cana. During the feast the wine ran out, which would have shamed the family. Mary told the servants: "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5).

Six large stone water jars stood nearby. "Fill the jars with water," Jesus told the servants, and they filled them to the brim. When the master of the banquet tasted it, the water had become wine, better than any served before: "You have saved the fine wine until now!" (John 2:10).

"Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him" (John 2:11).

Imagined The villa

Every room opens onto a sunny courtyard with a fountain, where the family eats, plays and celebrates, and there is always enough for every guest.

Real world Courtyard homes

Houses built around a private courtyard are found all over the world, from the Roman domus to the courtyard houses of Beijing and the riads of Fez in Morocco. The courtyard brings light, fresh air and a safe place to play into the middle of the home.

Think about it

1. Why do you think Jesus helped at a wedding?
2. What did Mary tell the servants to do?
3. What does a sign point to?

Key words

Sign

In John's Gospel, a miracle that points to who Jesus is.

Miracle

An amazing act of God's power.

Courtyard

An open space surrounded by buildings or walls.