The Third Day Principle
There is great significance to the time period of three days, which repeats itself in various places throughout the Bible. One such instance is the wedding feast that Jesus attended in Cana.
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 (New International Version, NIV)
On the third day a wedding feast took place. They were at a celebration on the third day. In like manner, Jesus was raised on the third day, which brought celebration. Those of us who are born-again celebrate Jesus now and will celebrate Him at the marriage supper of the Lamb which will take place in heaven. This will occur after two thousand years have passed since His death, burial, and resurrection- or as we might say- at the beginning of the third one-thousand year period. This correlates to the third day on God’s calendar, since God reckons time differently than we do.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. II Peter 3:8 (KJV)
They ran out of wine, and Jesus had them fill the water pots. They were earthen vessels, just like we are (II Corinthians 4:7). They filled the vessels to the brim with water and when they drew it out, it was wine. It was the best wine that ended up being served last- as the governor of the wedding feast noted. We are in the last of the last days. People are being born-again (water), then filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit (wine). The people at the feast were amazed. God is getting us ready for the greatest wedding ever.
We are the Bride of Christ. He will come and rapture us to celebrate the wedding, and we will be with Jesus forever. Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding, and we will celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb during the final event before we rule and reign with Christ during the millennial reign.
Jesus’ first miracle was turning water to wine. He is still doing this today as He saves those who believe in Him and baptizes them in His Spirit. This reveals His glory- it shows who Jesus is. He’s still doing miracles in our midst now. The glory is getting stronger and stronger until Christ appears and takes us to glory. We will be glorified by the glorified Christ, and, as we put our faith in Him, we will be rewarded.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Hosea 6:2 (KJV)
