Cana

Cana is a historical city, in which Jesus performed his first miracle. In Jesus' first miracle, he was attending a wedding, with his mother. The wedding, which usually lasted a much longer than modern day weddings, came to a halt as the wine ran out. Jesus took the opportunity, after his mother's suggestion, to change the water into wine through a miracle. A second miracle also took place in Cana, when Jesus healed the dying son of a government official. The location of Cana can not be certain but the most commonly believed location is modern day Kefer-Kenna. This is located five miles away from Nazareth, which matches up well with the Biblical claim that Cana was five to eight miles away from Nazareth. There are also other claims and ideas of where Cana may be but Kefer-Kenna seems to provide the most support and backup. In Kefer-Kenna a Franciscan wedding church has now been built on top of the location archeologist believe the wedding feast was held. This church is now a great location for tourists, and for religious worship, while continuing many biblical information of Jesus. Near Cana, stone water jars have been excavated from a site which seem to have been a workshop. This may have been the very place where the Cana wedding jars, in which Jesus changed the water to wine, were created. Cana is still a huge site that archaeologists are actively exploring.

Uncertain Location
Although many different sources seem to claim the literal location of the city of Cana, there is also a large variety of sources who admit to the uncertainty of the exact location. The commemoration of Jesus' first miracle, is held in Kefer-Kenna. John chapter two states that Cana was north of Nazareth by five to eight miles. Kefer-Kenna is along the road of Tiberia, and is five kilometers northeast of Nazareth. The Franciscans are a group of people that lead a church in Cana, where ceremonies of remembrance are held to praise the memory of Jesus's first miracle. This church, having underground excavations done underneath it's surface, seems to be laying above an ancient place of worship, such as a synagogue or temple. Overall, there are two main sites that are commonly pointed out as the location of Cana. The first is the previous stated, Kefer-Kenna. The second location is Kana-el-jetil. This location is more distant from Nazareth than Kefer-Kenna. At about nine miles away from Nazareth, Kana-el-jetil is also a close posability as to the location of Cana.

The First Miracle of Jesus
In John chapter five, John writes of a wedding that took place in Cana, a city in Galilee. Jesus, his disciples, and his mother were all attending the wedding. During the wedding, while all the guests were celebrating with wine and probably dancing, the wine ran out. In those times, marriage celebrations proceeded through the night and lasted several days. The lack of materials for feasting would be quite significant and disappointing to all who were present. Jesus' mother came to him and informed him that the wine ran out. But Jesus' response and tone revealed that he was unaware of why she told him this. Jesus' also states that his "time had not yet come". This comment somehow seems to be disregarded, and Jesus proceeds to direct the servants. He tells them to fill the jars with water and then draw out the water. Upon drawing out the water, the appearance has changed to that of wine. After the guests had tasted the drink they were sure that it was indeed wine. John 2:11 states "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."

The Second Miracle of Jesus
Not only was Cana the locations of Jesus' first miracle, but Cana of Galilee was also the location of his second miracle. John chapter four describes the story of a king's official approaching Jesus, asking for help. He had heard of Jesus' first miracle, and that he had come from Judea. He plead with Jesus to follow him the Capernaum, where his ill son lay at home, near death. But Jesus claimed, without even traveling to visit the son, that the child would live. The official had to trust Jesus' words of Jesus. However, sure enough, as the official arrived back home the servants ran to him bursting with excitement. The official realized that his son had risen healthy and with energy again. The servants told the official when his healing had taken place, and when they told him, he was positive that this as the exact time Jesus had claimed that his son would live. This miracle resulted in the whole family trusting and following the ways of Jesus.

Discovery of Water Jars in Modern-Day Cana
A hot topic in Biblical archaeological discoveries is the recently uncovered stone jars of Reina, located in lower Galilee. Reina is a few miles south from where Kafr Kanna is located, which is thought to be modern day Cana. These jars were discovered from a quarry that professionals are claiming to be the workshop for the forming of these jars. This quarry may just have been the very place that wedding jars from Jesus' first miracle were created. This discovery brought forth multiple mug, cup jars, and other kitchen utensils. Stone became a very common material used by the Jewish community for these types of supplies because it proved to be clean material, that could not become impure. Additional discoveries of stone in near by areas have thought to be those used at the wedding feast. However, while some archaeologists believe them to be Biblical findings, other's believe there is no possible way to know they we related to the Biblical story, because of how common these stone findings are.

Franciscan Wedding Church
The Franciscan Wedding church is located at the spot where archaeologists believe to be where Jesus performed his first miracle. Since the Bible times there is said to have been two other churches built in this spot. But now, the church stands tall, and was consecrated in 1883. It is a popular location for tourists and travelers, and a great opportunity to experience and learn about the location of the biblical story. Tours are offered daily, including a washing with Holy water, which is a Holy ritual. This is a great chance to experience the religion first hand. The large church is two stories tall. The front displays stone structures of angles. There are also two bell towers connected to the church. The ceiling of the church is domed, and beautiful mosaic are displayed throughout the church. Historical information and stories are provided throughout the interior of the church. The second level contains the jars that Jesus used when changing the water to wine, which they unearth recently. Near by the church, a wine shop is located, which sells "wedding wines" in reference to the story of Jesus. Directly across the street from the Franciscan church is an Orthodox church. This church receives much less interest than the historical monument that reminds many people of Jesus and his miraculous abilities.

7o7-j2uVsNk This video provides educational details and facts about the location of Jesus' first miracle, and an inside view and information about the church that stands over the location of wedding feast.