by Angel Ambrose
Transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.
Jesus transformed water into wine. It was a miracle. He used something common, water and turned it into wine—the best wine of the party.
I’m fairly sure they didn’t have the equivalent of a garden hose back then, so there must have been quite a bit of effort in filling the massive jars.
Although the process of the transformation was probably instantaneous, the acts leading up to it were not. There was obedience and effort involved before the miracle took place. After the wine ran out at the wedding, a cultural faux pas, Jesus instructed the help to fill six massive stone jars with water. Mary, Jesus’ mom already instructed them to do whatever He asked. They were curious, but more importantly, they obeyed.
Then it happened. What went in was water, what came out was choice wine.
Transformation: The change of the soul into a divine substance
There are so many beautiful parallels in the Christian faith to the transformation of water into wine. Once dead in our sins, Jesus’ blood transforms us into eternal living beings.
Once I was water. Just water. Add Jesus to my soul and I was transformed to something good.
When making wine the human way, it takes time and pressure. The grapes are pressed. Juice is released. After time, you get wine.
The wine was used to celebrate the marriage! Wine is used to celebrate what Jesus did for us on the cross. The night before He was hard-pressed and went to the cross, Jesus instructed His disciples to raise a glass, and remember Him. They didn’t know what was coming, but Jesus did. I imagine the disciples felt the sacredness of Jesus’ unusual request. I wonder if Jesus felt the loneliness already. It was their last supper together. Jesus took bread and gave each of them some and then said, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19b). Next He took wine and shared it with them. He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). Jesus showed us how to commemorate the incoming New Covenant that would fulfill the Old Covenant once and for all! And, that is a reason to celebrate!
I think David was prophetic when he wrote the famous 23 Psalm verse 5 that says, “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.”
Jesus invites us to the table, a communion table where we can feast as victorious heirs in the face of our enemies because of His shed blood and broken body that overcame sin and death.
Transformation: In theology, a change of heart in man, by which his disposition and temper are conformed to the divine image; a change from enmity to holiness and love.
When we say yes to Jesus’ provision for us: His death for our sins—that brings forgiveness—His burial, and resurrection on the third day, we are no longer enemies of God: we are His friends!
Jesus transforms us from something common, to something supernatural. He places Himself in us, redeems and seals us. We are immediately transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. From that point forward, He works within us, minute by minute, transforming us into His likeness.
What does that look like? Maybe we become a little less selfish than we used to be. Maybe a little quicker to meet someone else’s needs. Maybe a little slower to say something unkind or gossip. Maybe we pray more than we used to. Maybe. And maybe when He tells us something to do, like the help at the wedding, we obey and get to see something miraculous.
May the Lord transform us completely!
by Angel Ambrose
24″ x 12″
Acrylic on canvas, with polymer, and glitter
“Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Transformation.” Websters Dictionary 1828, webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/transformation.
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