During the wedding banquet, the wine ran out. What would the guests think? In that culture it would have been humiliating and embarrassing to the host family and young newlyweds. Frantically, the mother found her friend Mary and revealed her plight. Mary knew Jesus could do something about the situation, so she tells Jesus, believing and expecting Him to solve the problem. What did Jesus do? He turned water into wine! That was no problem with the Creator of the universe. Perhaps He just supernaturally sped up the natural process of the grape -processing water into wine!

Needless to say, the host of the feast was ecstatic. "You have saved the best wine until last," he exclaimed! (See John 2)

For many, the wine of joy and gladness has run out in their marriage. For some it happened as quickly as their marriage had begun. For others the wine has been gradually depleted over time. For some trials and tragedies have taken their toll. Sadly, some marriages have taken a hit from broken vows and infidelity.

While most marriages are not perfect and all have room for growth, you can have a winning and winsome marriage. But we must realize that no marriage is "made in heaven." They are made on earth. A winning marriage takes commitment and work.
Do you desire a winning marriage? Has the wine of joy run out of your life or marriage? Consider some of the principles revealed in Jesus' first miracle at the marriage in Cana. (See John 2) There is a miracle waiting for you.

First, know that God is for your marriage. He instituted and blessed marriage. Marriage is not a contrivance of convenience, nor just a legal contract. Marriage is a covenant that God takes seriously and does not intend for it to be broken. Concerning this marriage of Cana, we read: "Jesus was there." (John 2:1)

Second, Jesus was invited to the wedding. Have you invited Jesus, the Son of God, into your marriage? Jesus is the Light to guide you, the Bread of Life to sustain you, the Living Water to satisfy you, the Good Shepherd to care for and nurture your marriage. He is the True Vine to make your life and marriage fruitful (See John 15:1; Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to give you hope and power for marriage. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life that every marriage needs.

Be sure to invite Jesus into your life and marriage. Please don't make him stand outside knocking. "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

Third, "His mother said to the servants, 'whatever He says to you, do it.'" (John 2:5) If you are not willing to continually work on your marriage, the wine will eventually run out. If you are willing to do whatever He says, there is a miracle worker in the house. There is new wine on the way. Faith and obedience will always reach the heart of God.

Fourth, "Jesus said to them, 'Fill the waterpots with water,' and they filled them to the brim." (John 2:7) In the Bible, water is a type of New Life and the Word of God. God offers new and everlasting life through His only begotten Son. (See John 3:16) "For as many as received Him gave He power to become Sons of God." (John 1:12)

The servants filled those six stone waterpots to the brim with about twenty gallons of water. The water of the Word of God will sanctify and cleanse your marriage. As Christ gave Himself for the church (the bride of Christ), by dying on the cross, so when a husband lays down his life (self) for his wife, and the wife mutually respects her husband, then the water of the Word of God can sanctify and cleanse your marriage. (See Ephesians 5:22-23)

The servants in obedience filled the jars up to the brim. When is full, full? When it is two-thirds or three-fourths full? No, when it's up to the top. Are you filled full with Jesus and His Word? When it begins to splash over, get ready for a miracle. As you go, expect a miracle and thank God in faith. (See Ephesians 5:14,20)

Fifth, Jesus turned the water into wine. Wine is a type of the Holy Spirit and joy. There is reason to believe that this wine made by Jesus was grape juice, the fruit of the vine. In the Greek, the word for wine, oinos, was used for fermented or unfermented wine. 36 of 38 occurrences the word tirosh was used, meaning "new wine," "harvest wine," or "unfermented grape juice." Would Jesus have miraculously created gallons of intoxicating wine for a drunken party? Would He have disobeyed His Father's commands? (See Proverbs 23:31; 20:1)

What is the wine Jesus has available for your life and marriage? "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit… making melody in you heart to the Lord." (See Ephesians 5:18-20) "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17) Being filled with the Holy Spirit will bring power, joy, righteousness, and peace into your marriage.

Has the wine run out of your marriage? Invite Jesus into your heart and marriage. Ask Him to fill you to overflowing with the wine of the Holy Spirit. Then do whatever He says. You can have a winning marriage if you invite the Champion of marriage to be present in your life and marriage. (See Revelation 3:20; 1 John 1:9-10)