Song Stories: Water into Wine
(In this latest blog series, I am sharing the stories behind some of my recorded music along with the song for you to hear. The music link and lyrics are included here. I hope you enjoy it!)
http://chrisatkins.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Water-Into-Wine.mp3
God is in the business of turning ordinary things into extraordinary ones. More importantly, He can also transform heavy-burdened, tired, flawed, and broken people into new creations whose lives are filled with His new joy and hope!
The song “Water Into Wine” is an original song I wrote based on the story of Jesus’ first public miracle in a town called Cana in the area known as Galilee. Here is the account found in the 2nd chapter of the Gospel of John in the Bible:
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”. His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:1-11)
I imagine someone asking, “How could Jesus possibly do this?”
Well, I once heard a pastor explain that God has always turned water into wine and still does today! To be clear, God created, provides for, and oversees the plants, processes, and forces of nature that, over time, turn water into grapes and those grapes eventually into wine. This process can take months or even years.
Here’s how Wikipedia puts it:
“…wine is made by fermenting juice which is made by pressing crushed grapes to extract a juice... during this fermentation, which often takes between one and two weeks, the yeast converts most of the sugars in the grape juice into ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide… The next process in the making of red wine is malo-lactic conversion…” (source: Wikipedia)
Jesus—the Son of God—who turns water into wine over time, can also turn water into wine in an instant because He is not bound by time, space, or the laws of nature. The end result of Jesus’ action was a new wine that eclipsed and surpassed anything the master of the banquet had ever tasted.
This process is called “conversion” and is also an apt description of what Jesus—the risen and soon returning One— can do in the hearts and lives of people like you and me.
God can transform your life and circumstances, just as he has done for me.
It’s not about being religious, but about entering a new relationship with God in the person of Jesus Christ. God takes people who are broken and crushed and transforms them to brand new creations with a new identity as adopted children of God. Like water into wine, the conversion changes our ordinary sinful nature into something eternal and divine.
I am so thankful I was able to record this song which blends Cuban-influenced music with current popular music styles. It’s one of my favorites, and I hope it brings joy to your heart today!
God bless you.
Chris Atkins
Water Into Wine
Words and music by Christopher J. Atkins
© 2002. All rights reserved.
The jars were empty, the wine was all but gone
The wedding feast had started, the line of guests was long
Then Jesus took that water and turned it into wine
Within the realm of miracles, they tasted the divine
He turned their water into wine, he turned their sadness into joy divine
Behold how God makes all things new
He filled their hearts with His song, and they sang it clear and strong
A song of praise to God who turned their water into wine.
Outside the realm of my religiosity
He called me to come and see what He had done for me
I laid down my failed attempts to gain His prize
And drank the cup of love He set before my eyes.
He turned my water into wine, he turned my sadness into joy divine
Behold how God makes all things new
He filled my heart with His song, now I sing it clear and strong
A song of praise to God who turned my water into wine.
He turned my water into wine, he turned my sadness into joy divine
Behold how God makes all things new
He filled my heart with His song, now I sing it clear and strong
A song of praise to God who turned my water into wine.
He turned my water into wine…