The Wine of Christ

Seven Signs: John's gospel introduction to Jesus public ministry

John the Apostle is known as the author who published the fourth gospel account.

“John’s Gospel neatly and symmetrically breaks down into two roughly equal halves, often called “The Book of Signs” (John 1–12) and “The Book of Glory” or “The Book of Exaltation” (John 13–20); these two halves are framed by a prologue (1:1–18) and an epilogue (John 21).” Andreas J. Köstenberger

In his gospel we read his chronology of Messiah and his ministry in our world. For the disciple whom Jesus loved, he deeply cared about his audience understanding the historicity of Christ’s ministry.

Before history - The prologue on the Word, after the baptism of Christ he is (Jn 1:14) Identified as Lamb, (Jn 1:29) then he begins calling men to become his disciples - Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael (Jn 1:35-51) and much more.

John 2:1-11 on the The Wedding at Cana

John 2:1–2 ESV

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.

Everyone of Jesus’ relatives and his disciples were invited to this great celebration.

Truly, there is great joy when a husband and wife gives themselves to each other in marriage. Every time I witness the vows, exchange of rings, the kiss and marriage pronouncement it takes me back to the my wife’s and I joyous moment.

But after the great occasion of the wedding ceremony comes the real party - the wedding reception! And they knew how to party even 2,000 years ago. Read what happens next...

John 2:3 ESV

3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

Dry Receptions must be terrible ask the mother of Jesus

Jesus' mother turns to him when a significant issue has occured. A dry wedding, Lord forbid! Her request insinuates her faith in her son as a solution to the weddings party dilemma.

What’s real unique is how Jesus responds to his mother.

John 2:4 ESV

4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

Jesus speaks about regarding his hour has not come. The author is going to clarify what Jesus is speaking about later in his gospel. And yet, the mother of Jesus speaks to the servants.

John 2:5 ESV

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John’s writing is similar to what Moses wrote in Genesis concerning the famine of Egypt.

When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do” (Gen 41:55).

As Egypt famine was relived by the opening of the storehouse of grain so too was the ceremonies wine dryness was relived by Jesus producing it through his first sign.

A sign without hands, the transformation of the wine

John 2:6–10 ESV

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

The gospel according to the wine of Christ

Jesus transformed 120-180 gallons of water into wine instantly. He didn’t have to crush grapes with his feet or boil them in a hot pot. He gave the commands it came into existence.

NLT“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” (Jn.2:10)

What John is saying is Jesus' wine is costly and expensive. His wine will become symbolic of his blood and will be an offering not only for the wedding party and everyone who believes in him.

The gospel according to the wine of Christ.

-Lord's Supper offering to his disciple's the wine/blood

-The testimony concerning the Son of God comes through the water, blood, and Spirit.(1 Jn.5:6-12)

Jesus' first sign foreshadows the transformation of God, changing you into something much better.

John 2:11 ESV

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

The application: we partake in the wine of Christ with full faith and recognize his glory. His wine/blood provides life.

His sign helps to see his glory and builds our faith.