The Book of John - 15

Introduction - This will mark the second lesson as we look at the first 12 verses of John chapter 2. Remember, we have already discussed the cultural background to both events shown in this chapter.

Let’s begin once again by reading the first 12 verses of chapter 2.

Read John 2:1-12

In this passage we have already seen the:

The introduction of the event. v1

The invitation to the event. v2

The issue at the event. v3

The intimation at the event. v3

Let me make a couple of points before we move on to the rest of this first event.

Concerning the introduction to the event, we noted before that God’s Word gives us specific records for a purpose.

These are not made up stories, but rather records of events recorded through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for our learning and help.

Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Secondly, I want you to understand that this challenging situation provided the background for the Lord to reveal Himself to His disciples and these wedding guests/servants in a marvelous way.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the situations of life that we miss seeing what God is doing.

Example: God moving us from our last home to our current home.

Let’s begin where we left off in verse 3.

v3 “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.”

The Lord’s response is found in verse 4 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.””

Remember in our last lesson we discussed the meaning of this response.

The term woman itself is not demeaning but rather the common way of addressing a woman.

The Lord’s response was really to help Mary understand their relationship as it related to His person and office rather than her maternal authority.

Lastly, this phrase, “mine hour yet come…” speaks to the specific and purposeful action of the God-man. Nothing was happenstance. Every detail and action of the Lord’s life and ministry was according to God’s plan.

In John 12:23, we see again the reference to this hour, “23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.”

This hour is not a literal 60 minutes, but has to do with the Lord’s betrayal and crucifixion.

This allusion to the Lord’s hour is mentioned at least 6 or 7 times in this Gospel record alone.

Likewise when we think of the prophetic term “the Lord’s day” we would understand that the Bible is not referring to a 24hr period, but rather a program of end time events.

“The first reference to word hour is found here and is given to his mother Mary, the last reference is spoke to his Father.” (John 17:1 “1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”)

This hour, has to do with God’s perfect will being accomplished by the Son of God.

Just like Mary, we are able to comprehend in part all that God is doing according to His will.

We have the “big picture” given to us in His Word.

When I look in the later part of the book of Daniel, the book of Joel and the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, God has given us some understanding as to what is going to take place. And yet for all that we do have, there is still great mystery before us.

Speaking of Daniel, Daniel was blessed to interpret dreams and prophecies and yet, there were many things that God revealed to him to record that he did not understand. And so it is with us.

In other words, I do not know every minute detail of all that God will do. I do not know who will receive Christ and who will reject Christ. I do not know exactly how it is this old world will be deceived when we all are suddenly gone after the rapture of the Church.

I do not know really what will take place in a few weeks as I go witnessing.

But likewise I do know the impacts of one that has just been diagnosed with cancer, who is a Christian, who displays a godly testimony trusting in the Lord.

I do not know all of the people you or I will affect as we live as lights in this world.

But the Lord alone knows in totality all that is and will take place.

Our responsibility is to trust in the Lord.

We see this displayed in the submission of Mary.

Notice with me verse 5,

“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

5. The instructions from Mary’s understanding. v5

There seems to be a submission and understanding by Mary.

These instructions are very short and yet they hold great wisdom for you and me.

Think about what she states here, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

It sound like the sum of all the messages at Sharon Baptist Church, whatever God tells you to do, do it! You can trust Him.

There is a tract out there geared toward Roman Catholicism that quotes this verse, because of their veneration of Mary. And the gist of the tract is to point others from venerating Mary to listen to words of the Savior, like John 14:6 which states, “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

As we think about what Mary said, we think about also the trust that these servants would need to exercise in their response the instructions of Mary.

Faith and obedience to the Lord are linked together.

We ask advice from those we trust. We are willing to follow those whom we believe have the answers.

There is also a valuable lesson here concerning exhorting of others and our faith. Mary’s faith spurred others faith.

God has given to each one of us influence. And within the spender of the local church, we have an opportunity to exhort other unto good works.

That verse so often quoted concerning church attendance speaks to this.

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Certainly, we could look at the situation without knowing the end result and see that Mary demonstrated faith in the Lord.

Remember these who are involved in this did not know what would take place.

6. The immensity of the miracle. v6

John 2:6 “6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.”

As we already know the rest of the story, we understand that the Lord would have these pots filled.

After the pots were filled they would serve some to the governor of the feast.

And it would be discovered that the water was turned into wine.

These waterpots are said to be two or three firkins a piece.

A firkin is approximately 9 or 10 gallons.

So, we are looking at 18 to 27 gallons per waterpot.

This amounts to 108 to 162 gallons.

And while we are not told how many guests were present, this is a very large amount.

Not only are we told of the immense amount in these waterpots, but we are told about their purpose as well.

The Bible states, they purpose was for the purifying of the Jews.

John Philips gives us this insight, “The water in these stone jars was for the ceremonial cleansing of the wedding guests. The Jewish religion demanded close attention to personal hygiene. The “purifying” included the washing of hands and utensils used in the serving of guests (Mark 7:3-4).”

When we think of the purifying of the Jews we think back to the tabernacle and the Temple of the Lord and think about the laver that was filled with water for cleansing.

Exodus 40:30 “And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.”

The laver was “In the Tabernacle, a vessel of brass containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifice...” “In Solomon's Temple, besides the great Molten Sea, there were ten lavers of brass, raised on bases, 1Ki 7:27; 1Ki 7:39, five on the north and five on the south side of the court of the priests.” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

In a symbolic sense, these waterpots speak to emptiness of religion without a relationship with God. Vain religious exercise will leave you empty.

Judaism had degenerated into empty formalities.

And so, what we see next is a challenge the faith of the servants.

Think back on the amount of water these claypots could hold.

7. The challenging instructions from the Lord. v7

John 2:7 “7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.”

Think of these challenging instructions for a moment.

The only previous instruction that was given was by Mary.

She identified a crisis. She looked to the Lord for the solution.

The Lord told her, that He would act according to His divine will.

Mary then instructed the servants to listen to the Lord.

And now the Lord is asking them to fill these waterpots, a massive amount of water to the brim.

“The first miracle thus brought out the necessity of faith”...in… “the work of Christ...Their faith was kindled by Mary’s.”

Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: St. John, vol. 1 (London: James Nisbet & Co., n.d.), 164.

Imagine carrying that amount of water.

We often will carry a gallon jug of water or perhaps milk.

Can you imagine, 162 of these gallon jugs?

It seems to me, there would be reason to doubt.

But what is the job of a servant?

These servants, who are nameless received a blessing because they obeyed.

Notice several things about their service:

The Lord used lowly servants.

These who were involved in beginning of miracles, there who were privileged to have their exercise of faith recorded in God’s Word, like many of God’s choicest servants go nameless.

It is interesting that of the great company of new disciples, these lowly servants were the ones that demonstrated faith.

The Lord gave them a command to be obeyed.

(We cannot and should not expect the blessings of the Lord without obedience.)

I want you to notice in the text that he servants, not only obeyed, but zealously carried out the command.

They filled the pots to the brim.

Think of the situation and the immense amount of water they would have to draw.

The Bible says, “...And they filled them up to the brim.”

A gallon weighs 8.35 lbs. At that weight we are at around 902 lbs on the low end of our beginning measurements.

I want you to understand that these servants were zealous in carrying out the instructions of the Lord.

Sometimes our service is found to be lacking, because we obey, but we do so without zeal.

In other words, we feel as if we have obeyed by doing the very least we can do.

In Luke chapter 17, the Lord speaks about the unprofitable servant.

As servants for the Lord our obedience should not be unexpected, but rather our obedience is reasonable.

The work of the Lord involves work.

Understanding then the immensity of water that we to be drawn, we see that these servants had to work to fill these waterpots.

The Lord used what the people had.

Could the Lord have made the wine out of nothing?

(When we think of the creative act of God, we see He has no need of anything to create from nothing.)

Just as the five loaves and two fishes where multiplied the Lord delights to use what we He has given to us.

Acting in faith is giving back to God what He has given you.

1 Corinthians 4:7 “7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

We give all that we have to the Lord, and allow Him to use it as He will.

And this is a marvelous this, when God takes what little we have and does the miraculous for His glory.

I am reminded of the song “Little is much when God is in it”

One of the verses of that hymn states this,

Does the place you're called to labor Seem too small and little known? It is great if God is in it, And He'll not forget His own.

Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame. There's a crown-and you can win it, If you go in Jesus' Name.

Our action alone is not sufficient.

We see the careful zealous obedience of the servants, but without the work of the Lord, this labor would avail to nothing.

God does what only God can do.

I am reminded of the statement the Lord made in Matthew 19:26 speaking of the Salvation of men,

“26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

We can see this example at the end of the book of John, that illustrates this principle.

And the principle is this: God’s work requires the work of God.

In the book of Luke chapter 24, the Lord was preparing His disciples for His crucifixion, His death, His burial, His resurrection, and His ascension.

There was a time when they would be without His bodily presence. He prepares them by giving instructions for that time.

Luke 24:46-49 “46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

And so they did, in Acts chapter 2, we fulfillment of this empowerment.

There is a necessity of God’s empowerment to accomplish His work.

The truth of the matter is, that it is impossible for us alone to accomplish what God would have us to do.

One step of faith leads to another.

I hope you understand that we are as Christians live by faith.

The Bible tells us that they were obedient to fill the waterpots. I believe this must of took quite a bit of faith in the Lord.

But now the Lord asks them to exercise greater faith by taking this water to the Governor of the feast to drink.

The Bible does not describe exactly how the water turned into wine, but you can imagine against all earthly reasoning, they took this water to the governor.

Notice what the Bible says v8-9 “And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,”

Did you notice that the servants received the blessing of increased faith because of their faithful obedience?

Whether this was revealed later on by conversation to the governor of the feast or not these lowly servants received the blessing of knowing what the Lord had done.

Think about all that we get to witness as a child of God, to see His hand at work in this world.

Every-time we see someone receive Christ, we are seeing a miracle of God.

Every-time we see answer to intercessory prayer, we are seeing the divine hand of God at work.

Every-time we see God’s work through the circumstances of our lives by faith, we reap the reward of increased faith and have the mighty priveledge to know Almighty God.

7. The instruction in the miracle. v8-11

What is the instruction in this first sign?

Notice with me, what the summation is concerning this sign.

The Bible tells us in verse 11, “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”

Two grand purposes were taught with this sign.

The glory of the Lord Jesus Christ was manifested.

The faith of His disciples and others was strengthened.

Lastly, we see in verse 12:

8. The importance of this miracle. v11-12

John 2:11-12 “11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.”

This sign was inauguration of the Lord manifesting His glory and His ministry. The whole sign displayed what the Lord came to do.

What the Lord made was new.

He did not make something old, but presented something new.

It was exceeding and abundant. It was exceedingly able to suffice to the present need and beyond.

It reminds of II Corinthians 3:6 which states, “6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

Revelation 21:5-8 “5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”