The first miracle of Jesus that is recorded (and presumable the first one of His ministry) occurs at a party. Actually, the setting is more a banquet, which was given in honor of newly wed couple. What is striking about this initial miracle are the clear eschatological implication that would probably have been evident to the hearers of the miracle. At this banquet for a bride and groom wine runs out…but Jesus provides the wine so that the banquet can resume. The prophetic texts of the Hebrew Testament that testified to the coming Messiah all had banquet overtones that described abundance and the flowing of wine. So symbolically this pericope is laden with eschatological overtones.
The second passage is Messianic and in large ways foreshadows the work of the Messiah Jesus on the cross. The original point at which heaven and earth over lapped was the Temple. It was the physical focal point for the Jews. The thought of it being physically destroyed was unthinkable, yet Jesus both foreshadows its actual destruction and spiritual destruction. For through Him, heaven and earth met, and through him all people would find connection and access to God.
