240107 John 2: So that You Might Believe

INTRODUCTION 4:80 Minute(s) INTRODUCTION SLIDE

Prelude: Today we embark on the final leg of our three year journey through the Bible. In 2021 we had gone through nearly every book of the Bible with one sermon each and in 2022 we started over on a three year journey. We began in 2022 as we looked at the historical accounts of Genesis all the way through Esther, in 2023 we studied the wisdom books and prophets. Now we are moving into the New Testament. Since we started, I have labored to move through the text chronologically but in 2024 we will not be going through sequentially any longer. We will not be studying Matthew’s account, then Mark’s Gospel and so forth. We will be looking at a Gospel account, starting with John, then we will take some time to look at the Acts of the Apostles, some epistles and then repeat - just about every quarter. Gospel, Acts, Epistles. The intent of this is to keep our eyes on Christ and keep His Gospel ever before us so that we might believe. INTRODUCTION SLIDE

Title announcement: And incidentally, not only is this the intent of the message but also the title of today’s message. “So that you might believe.”

Directions: Turn with me if you would to the book of John chapter 20. In John 20:30-31 the author of the Gospel account, John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, writes his goal for the reader. INTRODUCTION SLIDE John 20:30–31“Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John’s overriding goal for you and for me, is that in providing this account we might believe and as a result live eternally. Clearly, then John’s understanding of belief is not how we sometimes describe belief. This belief that he is proposing leads to eternal life it leads to change in the hearers life

Faith: Sometimes, we get mixed up as to what faith is… Is faith giving intellectual acknowledgment to a set of facts? Is it believing, when we say we agree with these facts? Is that faith? Is that what it means to believe and have eternal life? No friends. Saving faith is that and more, saving faith to believe, it is to put our entire confidence in Christ alone. To believe unto eternal life is to have a deep personal conviction about the veracity of the Gospel. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We will not see with our eyes but today we will hear about a sign that John has recorded so that we, like Jesus’ disciples, might believe and that in believing in Him we might have life in His name.

MAINPOINT 2:04 Minute(s)

So, the main point that we have today is the same main point that John has for for the readers of his gospel. INTRODUCTION SLIDE

John 20:30–31“Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

These signs have been documented and carefully collated and curated to provide overwhelmingly sufficient evidence, not so that we can give mere intellectual acknowledgement, not so we can verbally affirm agreement with them but so that we might believe that Jesus is the Son of God - His Messiah. Ultimately so that we might believe and be saved! Jesus did so many signs, the last verse of the Gospel says that the world is not big enough to contain all the evidence that could have been written, but these have been carefully selected so as to render moot any and all counter arguments and to substantiate a complete turning over of ourselves to Christ in faith and have life in Him. PAUSE - CATCH BREATH ROADMAP SLIDE 1

ROADMAP 2:66 Minute(s)

Author’s Goal: So here is our road map for today. We started by reviewing the Author’s intended goal, ROADMAP SLIDE 2 helping the reader to believe on the basis of sufficient evidence and that in believing that Jesus is indeed who He claims to be - we might have eternal life in Him. This believing, this faith… is not simply agreeing with the facts but having a deep personal confidence and conviction leading to eternal life ROADMAP SLIDE 3

Route: Now, in just a few moments, we will look at context and then the text of John chapter 2 ROADMAP SLIDE 4 as Jesus reveals His glory through the sign of turning water into wine, the very first of His signs. We are going to be looking at John chapter 2:1-11 and we will look at the keys to understanding this text, the sign that Christ gave and the point of this sign. We are going to see the character of Christ manifested in His graciousness. His glory displayed through His power, His generosity and His sovereignty. ROADMAP SLIDE 5

Sidebar: Midway through our journey, however, we will also take a few moments to consider alcohol and how Christian’s should think about it and how we engage it. ROADMAP SLIDE 6 Ultimately we will conclude the message by going back to the end of John, hopefully not simply agreeing with him about Jesus but believing in Christ unto eternal life. So, before we go any further, let’s ask the Lord to help us to believe, BLANK SLIDE

PRAYER 1:44 Minute(s)

Abba Father, Your Word says that You are a rewarder of those who seek You (Hebrews 11:6). Your Word says that apart from faith it is impossible to please You. Your Word tells us that faith is a gift from You (Ephesians 2:8-9). Abba, please give us the faith that saves. Please give us the ability to believe You. You are gracious, You are generous, You are glorious as is Your Son, who is the exact representation of Your glory and goodness. Please help us to believe. We ask, because it is clear, that not all who saw Jesus believed in Him, and not all who witnessed were convicted to put all their confidence in Him. So, please, we ask that out of Your abundant graciousness You give to us the faith to believe. It is in Christ’s name we pray, amen. CONTEXT SLIDE 1

CONTEXT 2:14 Minute(s)

As we already heard, John wrote this Gospel account to provide overwhelmingly sufficient evidence for the reader that Jesus is indeed the Christ and that the reader might believe in Christ and have life in His name. In chapter 1, CONTEXT SLIDE 2 , John has catalogued the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry. Jesus has been declared to be the Son of God by the prophesied herald, John the Baptist. And Christ has also been recognized by one of His disciples as the coming King of Israel.... Both of these are fantastic attestations to are part of the context.

But one other thing bears mentioning. John has used a unique phrase three times, three times John writes, “On the next day,” “On the next day,” “On the next day.” But now in chapter 2 John changes the description, he says in verse 1… “On the third day.” Now, the careful student of Scriptures knows that that isn’t simply a chronological reference - this is an intentional hint. It is meant to flag the reader that something important is about to happen. That phrase, “On the third day,” is important because it foreshadows an event that we treasure - the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. John is dropping substantial hints that we are supposed to alert to. So, that is a brief introduction to the text… the year is SLOW AD 30 and Jesus is going to manifest His glory through the sign of turning water into wine.

Transition 1:13 Minute(s) SERMON SLIDE

I have broken this message into 3 points. Our first point is verses 1-5 and I have titled it “the Keys.” Now we all know what keys are used for... PAUSE Keys are used to open locks. Keys are used to create access - we, the readers, need access to the message that the Apostle John is intending to communicate. If we use the wrong keys we won’t get the access that we are looking for and we will become confused, but with the correct keys we can understand, and through understanding we can be persuaded to believe. Two of His keys are used here in two phrases. One we have alluded to, “On the Third Day,” which hints at big things to come when Christ is raised on the third day but another key is the new reference to “the hour” which will be repeated multiple times through the whole book and communicates Christ’s focus on the culmination of His earthly ministry on Calvary. The keys are here so let’s take a look.

SERMON

The Keys (v1-5) 7:51 Minute(s)

John 2:1 And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;

The 1st Key: The first key cannot be missed; that even from this early part of the Gospel narrative, John is foreshadowing a particular third day, and that third day is a day of joy and celebration because a Bride will ultimately be redeemed by Christ on that third day. Let’s keep reading verse 2.

John 2:2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

Wedding context: Weddings, some of us know, are very large scale events. A joining of two people together is a big deal, and even more so, two families. In our day it requires a lot of planning and preparation… Months of work go into it... But in the first century, in Judea, weddings were not only these things but also a large community event. Many people were invited and it was expected that the hosts would supply abundantly. These were no small events, they could last up to two weeks, and failing to provide for the guests in any way would damage the honor of the family and bring shame at a particularly bad time. And that is what we find has happened in verse 3.

John 2:3 And when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

The Complaint: The mainstay of joyful feasting, wine, has run out before the end of the feast… apparently, there are some days left. The shame of this failure to be hospitable would reflect poorly on the whole family and understandably, Mary the mother of Jesus comes to Him to do something. Now, we need to understand that in the first century a Jewish woman had dominion on the inside of the home while Jewish men had authority outside the home. In this wedding venue the lines have become blurred and Mary attempts to exert authority, but Jesus will have to set the record straight that He is beholden to His Father’s will. Jesus answers in verse 4 with somewhat of an eyebrow raising response.

John 2:4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come.”

The Idiom: Jesus uses a phrase in the Greek, “Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι,” literally, “Woman, what to you and Me.” It can be hard to hear this because our modern ears are tuned to pick up on tones of disrespect toward women generally and mothers specifically. Did Jesus disrespect His mother when He referred to her as “woman?” No, you see in public, it was perfectly acceptable to refer to His mother in this way. What we should take away is what Christ intended when He spoke this phrase, that there is a dissociative element here - He is separating Himself from the authority of His mother to affirm… the second key. He says, “My hour has not yet come.”

The 2nd Key: Christ is beholden to His Father’s will and His Father’s will is that He should go to the cross to pay for all of humanity’s sin - that is going to be the culmination of His earthly ministry. John forecasts this when he records Christ’s statement, “My hour has not yet come.”

It is fascinating to me how often this statement occurs in John’s Gospel account - 7 times Jesus speaks of His hour, this is the first instance What is the hour? It is the second key, the first was on the third day looking ahead to the resurrection of Christ and the second key alludes to the “hour.” The hour is the reference to Christ’s work on the cross… Personally, I take so much comfort in the fact that Christ had His eyes on the prize, always looking ahead to Calvary, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross (Hebrews 12:2) to purchase for God with His own blood a people from every tribe, nation and tongue (Revelation 5:9). Obviously, it is clear that Christ is sovereign and in complete control and His mother rightly recognizes His authority in verse 5.

John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Profound: What an incredibly humble statement and profound concept, rooted in faith. Mary, having made her petition and having accepted His authority and power she prepares the wedding staff to act. “Whatever He says to you, do it.” SLOW What would our world look like if we like Mary, like these servants believed these words… “Whatever He says to you, do it.”? MEANINGFUL PAUSE

Transition: Let’s go now to our second point, the Sign. SERMON SLIDE

II. The Sign (v6-10) 5:82 Minute(s)

John 2:6 Now there were six stone water jars set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.

Context: So how much water are we talking about here? The text says two or three measures each… How much is that? It works out to about 100 to 150 gallons total. This is a massive amount of water. Based on the loose figures that I take from this text and other information I was able to gather this water, once transformed into wine… would have been sufficient for 100 to 200 guests for a week. Wow!!! Obviously, we are talking about a hyper-abundance of wine and not just any wine… the very best.

Transition: Let’s look at verse 8

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then the inferior wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

New Covenant: Something amazing has happened! These stone water jars which were used for purification according to the Law now hold something better - the very best wine! Now, the offhand comment by the head waiter is not an accident, it goes to prove John’s point that he is going to communicate over and over: The better has come - and it didn’t come by human effort. Mary didn’t make this happen, the disciples didn’t, the wait staff didn’t - Christ did. This is significant, and has been foreshadowed for hundreds of years through the Old Testament.... In Jeremiah 31:31-34 a New Covenant is prophesied, its not like the Old Covenant or the Law. The New Covenant, established in Christ, is going to supersede the righteousness which is according to the Law. It says that God Himself will bring it about - then people will finally know God. John cannot let this idea get past the readers attention… He shows in various ways that this idea of the “Better has come” through statements like that found in John 1:17 “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The Better has come.

Intent: John is going to show this over and over in his Gospel with repeated contrasts. In John 3:6 That which is born of the Spirit is alive and better and has access to the kingdom of God - far superior than that which is born of the flesh… John 4:13-14, Christ gives living water which is better than any water from any well. John 6:35, Christ is better than any bread, because He is the bread of Life… John has been supernaturally influenced by God’s Holy Spirit to create a literary masterpiece that intricately interweaves all this evidence. Why? Why does any this matter? Why the effort, John? Because we are supposed to see the glory of God and believe… which is exactly what we saw in the introduction and exactly what we see throughout John’s Gospel, 98 times the word for faith pisteuo is mentioned, believe! Why?!? So that we might have eternal life in Christ’s name… So that we might not try to confront the Holy God with a righteousness derived from haphazard obedience to the Law. We need the better, we need the Perfect. PAUSE....

Transition to Sidebar: It seems now is an opportune time to discuss alcohol before we continue on. SIDEBAR SLIDE Many of us know that alcohol is a topic that is loaded with emotional baggage! Is it okay to drink alcohol, should Christians abstain? What should guide our actions? Christian, remember this, Scripture should always guide us! Let’s take a brief detour on this Scriptural Sidebar to investigate Alcohol and the Christian’s relationship with it.

SCRIPTURAL SIDEBAR 5:22 Minute(s)

The very first of Christ’s signs was to manifest His glory through the making of Wine so that His disciples could believe in Him (John 2.11). At this wedding, which was a celebration, Christ made alcoholic wine - a lot of it! Furthermore, He used wine in other aspects of His ministry, I am thinking of Communion. Additionally, wine was suggested to be used medicinally by Paul to Timothy (1 Tim 5:23). Wine or alcohol can have some positive attributes if used in moderation. It also certainly has negative aspects, especially in regard to overindulgence. With that being said, ultimately, we should have a balanced biblical understanding of alcohol. While we could probably go through nearly every book of the Bible to inform our understanding of alcohol, I think we can look at three particular passages to guide us. I want to present three principles to guide us. SIDEBAR SLIDE

1st Principle - Be Filled Ephesians 5:18“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”

The word for “dissipation” ἀσωτία communicates a debauched or exorbitant over-indulgence that results in sin. Don’t be drunk, don’t be debauched or dissipated, be filled with the Spirit of Christ. Submit yourself, as Christ did, to the Spirit’s leading. So that is our first Principle, “Be filled.” Our second, SIDEBAR SLIDE

2nd Principle - Be Free 1 Corinthians 6:12“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Would we retain our dignity as children of the King? Our freedom from bondage? Our nobility as image bearers of God? Then we ought not to be enslaved, or controlled by alcohol or any other substance. Are we addicted to caffeinated energy drinks or opioids? Are we under enslavement to tobacco or Tylenol or fentanyl? That is not what the Christian has been set apart for… Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” We were... 1 Corinthians 6:20“For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” Ok, here is our third and final principle SIDEBAR SLIDE

3rd Principle - Be Inoffensive Romans 14:13–15“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.”

There is room in the Body of Christ for thoughtful interactions on alcohol, but there is no room here for disunity and discord between ourselves. Is our consumption of alcohol leading others into dissipation, well then for the sake of their spiritual health and our own, by all means put it aside. Is our stance on abstinence or indulgence so hardened that we cannot allow any deviation from any quarter? We are to let this principle guide us, “Be inoffensive.” And through our love for each other, our testimony will be enhanced and God will be glorified. John 13:35““By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

So there we go, three principles to guide our understanding on alcohol. Be filled - By the Holy Spirit, Be Free - from Slavery, Be inoffensive - to the brethren.

Transition: Let’s get back to John 2 to close out the message… John tells us that His disciples did not miss the point of the sign and neither should we… Verse 11 SERMON SLIDE

III. The Point (v11) 2 Minute(s)

11 Jesus did this in Cana of Galilee as the beginning of His signs, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

The Point: The point of this narrative is that the Christ demonstrated His sovereign power. He has manifested, or put on display His glory. Now, “glory” in John’s Gospel is based upon the “Kabod” of the Old Testament, a word which communicates God’s fearsome and pervasive power proven out or put on display. Glory communicates heaviness, or importance. This sign was astonishing - a revelation of His glory; a demonstration not only of Christ’s sovereign power but also His character.

Can we see here that Christ cares about the smallest of details and overwhelmingly and generously responds with the very best? Absolutely, why? Why did He do this? He intends to originate faith within His disciples. Do we have eyes to see?

Turn with me to John 20 as we wind down the message.... Does this historical account ground our belief in Christ? Does it help our understanding of His character, His compassion, His willingness to respond? Does it make us want to John 2:5 do whatever He commands us? If we do not believe we will not obey if we will not obey is Christ truly our Lord? If He is not our Lord is He our Savior?

Clearly, God desires that we believe what has been written, 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not desiring that any to perish but for all to come to repentance

CONCLUSION SLIDE

CONCLUSION 5:80 Minute(s)

Transition: I had us turn to John 20 because I want us to not be unbelieving but believing, that’s what John wants, that is what God wants… I want us to gather from this instance, this demonstration of God’s power, what we have been told is the intent - that we believe unto eternal.

The truth is some of us will not, no amount of evidence will persuade us that we are hopeless apart from Christ. Some here will go to our grave thinking we can earn salvation through good works - a tragedy! But for those whom God has called, what God requires is what God supplies and even more than faith there is blessing for those who believe. We join the narrative after Christ has been raised from the dead and He has been seen by most of the apostles except one, Thomas the Twin, sometime pejoratively called, “Doubting Thomas,” which I find terribly unkind. PAUSE

The Lord out of His abundant mercy is going to reveal His glorified self to Thomas and He is going to create faith in him… We pick up the text in verse 24.

John 20:24–29“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus (THAT MEANS ‘THE TWIN’), was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

My heart grieves for Thomas, his heart was broken over the loss of his Lord and he cannot get over what he has seen, unless of course the Lord changes his mind - which is exactly what Jesus does, verse 26.

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Bring your finger here, and see My hands; and bring your hand here and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed.””

Christ manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:11). Now, I don’t know about you but every time I read through this part of John I get excited, because a special blessing is reserved by Christ for those who have not physically seen Him and yet have believed. Have we truly believed? Is the evidence sufficient? Yes! We have seen His signs recorded for us in Scripture, we can see His character, His power, His sovereignty, His Cross work we can believe because Christ creates faith in those that are His John 6.37. A blessing is reserved for us from Him. Now, let’s close with our main point in verse 30 CONCLUSION SLIDE

John 20:30–31“Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” CONCLUSION SLIDE

It has been my prayer that we too might believe and in believing have life in the name of Christ. Please stand and I will pray.

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9:05Hrs Total Time

0:45Hrs Daily Reading of Text

0:05Hrs Reset Manuscript with notes outline etc

0:05Hrs Various research and confirm text to be studied

1:30Hrs Hand write text for comprehension

0:25Hrs Read Passages in LSB/NIV/NKJV/LXX/BHS/UBS

0:05Hrs Copy passages in the sermon template in italics

0:05Hrs Draft title/main point/antithesis that connects the passages

0:00Hrs Make notes

0:05Hrs Write Sermon Outline

0:10Hrs Check Biblemaps.com

0:50Hrs Review all Cross References to see what I have missed

0:00Hrs Context

0:10Hrs Read theology CT3/CICR

5:25Hrs Read Book commentary NAC/WAL/EBB/TSK/OTT/UBSH/BTB

0:00Hrs Write Sermon

0:00Hrs Write Introduction/prayer

0:00Hrs Practice

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Doctrinal statement: Christ ensures proper manifestation of glory, and even in this simple request to provide for wedding festivities, He directs all things to reveal His glory and to produce faith in His disciples

Hebrews 12:2“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Marriage supper Revelation 19:7–9““Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.””

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 3:12–16 |

12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness, 13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the consequence of what was being brought to an end.

14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is brought to an end in Christ.

15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart, 16 but WHENEVER a person TURNS TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY.

His goal is not simple intellectual acknowledgement. He has not penned this to catalogue a set of facts that we might tip our hat to. He has, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, created a supernatural piece of art. God, working with John, has intricately interwoven

W at the John 1:9–14“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to what was His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 20:30–31“Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

potential entry points…

signs pointing to a greater reality. Christ is going to perform a sign which points ahead to the greater reality of His own glorification

Evidence that is sufficient beyond a reasonable doubt John 20.24-29 . This is an ideal entry point because the main point follows

New covenant Jeremiah 31.31-34 . this is an ideal entry point because it makes it apparent that a change is coming, the earlier foreshadows the later.

Faith, do we have it?

Glory Revealed - highest goal

Hebrews 1:1–3“God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

Hebrews 11:1“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

OBSERVATION:

Excursus on honoring Father and Mother. Leave and cleave - Genesis 2:24“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” While respectful Jesus is not beholden to His mother

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

WARNING

CONTEXT 2:14 Minute(s)

As we already heard, John wrote this Gospel account to provide overwhelmingly sufficient evidence for the reader that Jesus is indeed the Christ and that the reader might believe in Christ and have life in His name. In chapter 1, John has catalogued the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry. Jesus has been declared to be the Son of God, He has been recognized by one of His disciples as the coming King of Israel. And one other think John has done that bears mentioning. He has used a unique phrase three times, three times John writes, “On the next day.” But now in chapter 2 John changes the description, he says in John 2 verse 1… “On the third day.” Now we need to know that that isn’t simply a chronological reference - this is intentional. It is meant to flag the reader that something important is about to happen. That phrase, “On the third day,” is important because it foreshadows an event that we treasure - the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. John is dropping hints that we are supposed to alert to. So, that is a brief introduction to the context… the year is AD 30 and Jesus is going to manifest His glory through the sign of turning water into wine.

Transition 1:13 Minute(s)

So let’s get into the text… I have broken this message into 3 points. Our first point is verses 1-5 and I have titled it “the Keys.” Now we all know what keys are used for correct? Keys are used to open locks. Keys are used to create access - we, the readers, need access to the message that the Apostle John is intending to communicate. If we use the wrong keys we won’t get the access that we are looking for and we will become confused but with the correct keys we can understand, and through understanding we can be persuaded to believe. Two of His keys are used here in two phrases. One we have alluded to, “On the Third Day,” which hints at big things to come when Christ is raised on the third day but another key is the new reference to “the hour” which will be repeated multiple times through the whole book and communicates Christ’s focus on the culmination of His earthly ministry on Calvary. The keys are here so let’s take a look. SLIDE

One of His new disciples has called Him the King of Israel. Now, the careful student of the Scriptures notes somet the text that chapter 1 uses a repetition of a time reference. Three times John has written, “On the next day (John 1:29,35,43)”. Now

John chapter 2 introduces a theme, a theme of signs - which concludes in chapter 12. Significant because there are seven signs mentioned in John. The First of which is the changing of water into wine.

The text opens with “And on the third day” but this is a greek expression that should have factored in that they counted both the first (ie today) and last day in the total tally. The wedding takes two days after Philip/Nathanael’s call.

TENDS TOWARD AMPLIFYING THE GLORY OF GOD WHICH IS THE STATED SIGN Isaiah 9:1–2“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in the land of the shadow of death, The light will shine on them.”

Jesus as an emerging Teacher was invited to the wedding, He may have been invited because of family connections or His work as a Carpenter

He is invited to the wedding and His disciples - did this include more than the twelve? Matthew limits the term Disciples strictly to the twelve but the other accounts do not. The twelve are not isolated until John 6:67“So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go?”” John 6:70–71“Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He was speaking of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.” . This is likely a small group of people

Revelation 21:6“Then He said to me, “They are done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” Revelation 22:13““I am the Alpha and the Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, the beginning and the end.””

John 21:2“Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.”

SERMON

I. The Key (v1-5) this section is the key to understanding future signs - also note John 20.30-31

John 2:1–11 | 1 And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Required Elements

v1 Time frame

which tips off the reader that something important is going to happen on the third day - ie different than “on the next day’s” earlier referenced (John 1:35,43,29). Duration of the wedding feast could last 7 days to two weeks. Need to draw out the connection between the third day and the key, the hour, which helps us understand the death and resurrection of Christ. the key is the hour, there is coming an hour, something is important about that hour and somehow this is related to the third day - can we see and understand the connection? we are meant to see and understand it and in John’s intent in communicating it is so that we will believe. The Hour is guiding Christ not His mother - she is not the boss, nor are His half brothers. John 7:3–8“Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. “For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself publicly to the world.” For not even His brothers were believing in Him. So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always here. “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I bear witness about it, that its deeds are evil. “Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not yet going up to this feast because My time has not yet been fulfilled.””

v2-3 Hospitality and honor

wedding context, size, duration, running out of supplies would be a major embarrassment

v4-5 The Idiom

Disrespect: Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι - Woman, what to you and me, has a dissociative element, a separating aspect. With regard to John 2 this statement seems to be used by Christ to dissociate Him from His mother - He is sovereign - His value is not derived from His mother but His task is to explain His Father Hebrews 1:1–2“God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds,” John 1:18“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”

Sovereignty Despite our modern sensibilities we should not read into this a disrespect however Christ is not beholden to His mother. This might cause issues with those who carry catholic baggage. Does Mary intercede now for believers? No, Hebrews 7:25“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

Takeaways

the key, hour, timeframe 3rd day -

MP the response of Christ to the request - have an informed view of the character and name of Christ helps us to believe and as a result have life in Christ

What supports the main point, “By believing we may have life in Christ’s name”

Questions

UBSH - “O woman” is a polite direct address not disrespectful” per UBSH Christ is denying only His own involvement, Mary does not have authority over Christ. Christ’s denial of involvement does not dissuade her directing the servants to do what Christ commands

In the Septuagint the term Judges 11:12 “And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”” 2 Samuel 16:10“But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if Yahweh has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”” Mark 1:24“saying, “What do we have to do with You, Jesus the Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”” Mark 5:7“and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!””

Cross References

Genesis 41:55“Then all the land of Egypt was famished, and the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, you shall do.””

John 7:6–8 “So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always here. “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I bear witness about it, that its deeds are evil. “Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not yet going up to this feast because My time has not yet been fulfilled.””

John 13:1“Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

MIGHT GIVE THIS CROSS REFERENCE PREFERENCE BECAUSE OF THE PARENTAL CONNECTION John 16:21““Whenever a woman is in labor she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”

Observations:

Jesus is independent of all human authority even his mother UBSH

Warning

Application

SERMON

The Keys (v1-5)

John 2:1 And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;

The 1st Key: The first key cannot be missed; that even from this early part of the Gospel narrative John is foreshadowing a particular third day, and that third day is a day of joy and celebration because a Bride will ultimately be redeemed by Christ on that third day. Let’s keep reading verse 2.

John 2:2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

Wedding context: Weddings, some of us know, are very large scale events. A joining of two people together and even more so, two families is a big deal. But in the first century, in Judea, weddings were not only these things but also a large community event. Many people were invited and it was expected that the hosts would supply abundantly. These were no small events, they could last up to two weeks, and failing to provide for the guests in any way would damage the honor of the family and bring shame at a particularly bad time. And that is what we find has happened in verse 3.

John 2:3 And when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

The Complaint: The mainstay of joyful feasting, wine, has run out before the end of the feast… apparently, there are some days left. The shame of this failure to be hospitable would reflect poorly on the whole family and understandably, Mary the mother of Jesus comes to Him to do something. Now, we need to understand that in the first century a Jewish woman had dominion on the inside of the home while Jewish men had authority outside the home. In this wedding venue the lines have become blurred and Mary attempts to exert authority but Jesus will have to set the record straight that He is beholden to His Father’s will. Jesus answers in verse 4 with somewhat of an eyebrow raising response.

John 2:4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come.”

The Idiom: Jesus uses a phrase in the Greek, “Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι,” literally, “Woman, what to you and Me.” It can be hard to hear this because our modern ears are tuned to pick up on tones of disrespect toward women generally and mothers specifically. Did Jesus disrespect His mother when He referred to her as “woman?” No, you see in public, it was perfectly acceptable to refer to His mother in this way. What we should take away is what Christ intended when He spoke this phrase, that there is a dissociative element here - He is separating Himself from the authority of His mother to affirm… the second key. He says, “My hour has not yet come.”

The 2nd Key: Christ is beholden to His Father’s will and His Father’s will is that He should go to the cross to pay for all of humanity’s sin. John forecasts this when he records Christ’s statement, “My hour has not yet come.” It is fascinating to me how often this statement occurs in John’s Gospel account - 7 times Jesus speaks of His hour. What is the hour? It is the second key, the first was on the third day looking ahead to the resurrection of Christ and the second key alludes to the “hour.” The hour is the reference to Christ’s work on the cross… Personally, I take so much comfort in the fact that Christ had His eyes on the prize, always looking ahead to Calvary, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross (Hebrews 12:2) to purchase for God with His own blood a people from every tribe, nation and tongue (Revelation 5:9). Obviously, it is clear that Christ is sovereign and in complete control and His mother rightly recognizes His authority in verse 5.

John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Profound: What an incredibly humble statement and profound concept, rooted in faith. Having made her petition and having accepted His authority and power she prepares the wedding staff to act. “Whatever He says to you, do it.” What would our world look like if we like Mary, like these servants heeded these words… “Whatever He says to you, do it.”? What has Christ commanded, well many things

Required Elements

v1 Time frame

which tips off the reader that something important is going to happen on the third day - ie different than “on the next day’s” earlier referenced (John 1:35,43,29). Duration of the wedding feast could last 7 days to two weeks. Need to draw out the connection between the third day and the key, the hour, which helps us understand the death and resurrection of Christ. the key is the hour, there is coming an hour, something is important about that hour and somehow this is related to the third day - can we see and understand the connection? we are meant to see and understand it and in John’s intent in communicating it is so that we will believe. The Hour is guiding Christ not His mother - she is not the boss, nor are His half brothers. John 7:3–8“Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. “For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself publicly to the world.” For not even His brothers were believing in Him. So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always here. “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I bear witness about it, that its deeds are evil. “Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not yet going up to this feast because My time has not yet been fulfilled.””

v2-3 Hospitality and honor

wedding context, size, duration, running out of supplies would be a major embarrassment

v4-5 The Idiom

Disrespect: Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι - Woman, what to you and me, has a dissociative element, a separating aspect. With regard to John 2 this statement seems to be used by Christ to dissociate Him from His mother - He is sovereign - His value is not derived from His mother but His task is to explain His Father Hebrews 1:1–2“God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds,” John 1:18“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”

Sovereignty Despite our modern sensibilities we should not read into this a disrespect however Christ is not beholden to His mother. This might cause issues with those who carry catholic baggage. Does Mary intercede now for believers? No, Hebrews 7:25“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

The hour of His death, resurrection and glorification

III. The Sign (v6-10)

6 Now there were six stone water jars set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then the inferior wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

Required elements

context: 96-162 gallons

The sign described and interpreted

the point is that something better has come and replaced the old

Natural is countered with an improved and better The old purification is replaced with a new purification through Christ - emphasize His blood/Wine. Theme repeated in John Born again in John 3.6. Water/Living Water in John 4. Bread/Bread of life in John 6. John also offers a contrast Sour wine in John 19:29

Notes

Questions

*** See what the relationship is between v6 and John 3.25 regarding Purification/2 Peter 1.9 ***

Natural countered with a better… Water/Living Water in chapter 4 vs water turned into wine… I am the Bread which came down out of heaven John 6.51/John 6.49 /John 6.58

You must be born again: John 3:6““That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Inversion John 19:29“A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth.”

UBSH Contaminated stone could simply be washed

Cross References

Observations:

Warning

Application

Now we see in John 2 that instead of water He provides wine foreshadowing another element, that of His shed blood.

““That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.” That which is born of the Spirit is better. John 4:13–14“Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst—ever; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”” Christ gives us living water that springs up to eternal life... John 6:35 the bread that was given is superseded by the Bread of Life. John, is laboring to convince us over and over that the better has come…

Required elements

context: 96-162 gallons

The sign described and interpreted

the point is that something better has come and replaced the old The contrast in wine is not between good and poor wine but between higher quality and inferior wine -UBSH (Christ only does the very best)

Natural is countered with an improved and better The old purification is replaced with a new purification through Christ - emphasize His blood/Wine. Theme repeated in John Born again in John 3.6. Water/Living Water in John 4. Bread/Bread of life in John 6. John also offers a contrast Sour wine in John 19:29.

Takeaway

The New Covenant in Christ is superior to works based righteousness.

Why does this matter?

this matters because Christ effects this change in the lives of the redeemed - this results in glory not to us but to Him Ephesians 2:8–9“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast.”

IV. The Point (v11)

11 Jesus did this in Cana of Galilee as the beginning of His signs, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Required elements

The manifestation of His glory: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

The faith that resulted: So that you may believe and have life in His name

Notes

There is an object/complement in verse 11 - this, Ταύτην ἐποίησεν ἀρχὴν τῶν σημείων ὁ Ἰησοῦς Jesus made this (to be) the beginning of (His) signs communicates that Christ is both powerful and sovereign. Per BTB the NASB construction “This beginning of His signs Jesus did” is inaccurate because it takes “This” as a modifying adjective and not an independent pronoun but such could not be the case without an article before ἀρχὴν

The phrase have drunk freely literally means have become drunk but the degree of intoxication is irrelevant according to UBSH. The emphasis on the narrative is not intoxication but the contrast between the surpassing goodness of the new and compared with the old

The signs of John point to a greater truth - John 20:30–31“Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

The glory that is revealed throughout John’s gospel is ultimately demonstrated most fully through His death and exaltation - bu this revelation is still demonstrative of His character, Sovereign, caring, hospitable, respectful . He demonstrated how wonderful He is and as a consequence His disciples believed in Him.

Questions

*** Dig into the word, “beginning”***

Cross References

John 1:14“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Observations:

Warning

Application

OBSERVATION:

Excursus on honoring Father and Mother. Leave and cleave - Genesis 2:24“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” While respectful Jesus is not beholden to His mother

Doctrinal statement: Christ ensures proper manifestation of glory, and even in this simple request to provide for wedding festivities, He directs all things to reveal His glory and to produce faith in His disciples

WARNING

SCRIPTURAL SIDEBAR 5:22 Minute(s)

The very first of Christ’s signs was to manifest His glory through the making of Wine so that His disciples could believe in Him (John 2.11). At this wedding, which was a celebration, Christ made alcoholic wine - a lot of it, furthermore He used wine in other aspects of His ministry, I am thinking of Communion. Additionally, wine was suggested to be used medicinally by Paul to Timothy (1 Tim 5:23). Wine or alcohol can have some positive attributes if used in moderation. It also certainly has negative aspects especially in regard to overindulgence. With that being said, ultimately, we should have a balanced biblical understanding of alcohol. While we could probably cite nearly every book of the Bible I think we can look at three particular passages to guide our understanding

1st Principle - Be Filled Ephesians 5:18“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”

The word for “dissipation” ἀσωτία communicates a debauched or exorbitant over-indulgence that results in sin. Don’t be drunk, don’t be debauched or dissipated, be filled with the Spirit of Christ. Submit yourself, as Christ did, to the Spirit’s leading.

2nd Principle - Be Free 1 Corinthians 6:12“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Would we retain our dignity as children of the King? Our freedom? Our nobility? Then we ought not to be enslaved, or controlled by alcohol or any other substance. Are we addicted to caffeinated energy drinks or opioids? Are we under enslavement to tobacco or Tylenol or fentanyl? That is not what the Christian has been set apart for… Just a few verses back in verse 10 we hear that we were... 1 Corinthians 6:20“For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” . If the Son has set us free from these things let us be free and not enslaved.

3rd Principle - Be Inoffensive Romans 14:13–15“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.”

There is room in the Body of Christ for thoughtful interactions on alcohol, but there is no room here for disunity and discord between ourselves. Is our consumption of alcohol leading others into dissipation, well then for the sake of their spiritual health and our own, by all means put it aside. Is our stance so hardened that we cannot allow any deviation from any quarter? Well that is not particularly gracious either. Be inoffensive. John 13:35““By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

CONCLUSION

Hebrews 12:2“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Marriage supper Revelation 19:7–9““Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.””

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 3:12–16 |

12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness, 13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the consequence of what was being brought to an end.

14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is brought to an end in Christ.

15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart, 16 but WHENEVER a person TURNS TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY.

דָּבָר יהוה אֵשׁ פַּטִּישׁ