The Miracle of Obedience: Turning Water into Wine
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
As we continue our journey in the gospel of John, we come to the very first miracle of Jesus’ ministry.
Chapter One opened with a look at Christ’s deity. He is Logos, Life, and Light. It ended by pointing us to Christ’s mission. He came as the Lamb of God to take away the world's sins. It is also concluded with a practical illustration of discipleship. Discipleship begins with an encounter with Christ, continues as witnesses for Christ, and develops into a lifelong journey with Christ.
As we come to this first miracle, we must set the scene. The first chapter of John also unveiled the failure of the religious system of the Jews, Judaism. If you recall, the religious leaders were ignorant of Christ. They sent a contingent of priests and Levites to John to ask who he was.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
Their pathetic state was further revealed when John stated...
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
If you couple that with John 1:11
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
We see how blind the religious leaders of Christ’s day indeed were! They completely missed that the Messiah stood in their midst and did not even recognize John the Baptist as the forerunner told of in the Old Testament.
Religion and Judaism were nothing more than a dead husk with no heart and no spiritual life. However, there was hope.
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Everything was just as it needed for Christ to enter the scene.
Significantly, Christ chose a wedding as the backdrop of His first miracle. Several things in this wedding were entirely appropriate for Christ’s inaugural ministry.
Let’s read our text.
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
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.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 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,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
I believe the central theme of this miracle is the importance of obedience to Christ. Let’s start with this point.
A Demonstration of Christ’s Divine Identity
A Demonstration of Christ’s Divine Identity
From reading this account of Christ’s first miracle, things were not going well at the wedding feast. They were already out of wine, which was a substantial social debacle. Learning what was happening behind the scenes, Mary turned to Jesus and said, “They have no wine.”
Now I understand; she says this with expectation. She expected Christ to use His ability as the Divine Creator to remedy the situation. She knew things about Christ that others did not or would not have spoken to Him like she did. Christ has a curious response. Note what He says to Mary.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
At first glance, it would seem rude that Christ would respond to the woman who gave birth to Him in such a way. However, as you begin to look at this, there are two things that become evident from Mary’s perspective.
First, she completely ignored His Deity. I say this for one reason. She told the Creator of the Universe, omniscient, what He already knew. She had no reason to inform him they were out of wine. He already knew this long before it happened. Yet, for some reason, in this moment, she ignored His Deity and spoke to Him as if He didn’t know.
Second, it would seem that she was continuing to exert her authority over Him as a parent. There was the subtle suggestion that He should do something about the problem. Consequently, Jesus in response addresses her as “woman” and not as “mother.”
Why a woman and not a mother?
We must never forget that everything the Lord does, He does with purpose. His response to “woman” was twofold in its purpose.
He addressed her as woman reminding her, and us (since it is recorded for us), the He, the Lord Jesus Christ, was not mere man, He is much more. He is the Son of God. He is Logos, Life, Light, and the Lamb! He is God. His use of the word “woman” displayed the fact that God was speaking to her. In fact, this is the first of two occasions when Christ refers to Mary as “woman.” Both are recorded only in John’s gospel. The second time is when Christ is hanging on the cross. In both instances, Christ’s Deity is on full display.
Here is another reason Christ used the term “woman.” It also has to do with Christ’s omniscience. There is no doubt that Christ foresaw the horrible idolatry by which many worship Mary today instead of worshipping Christ. Unfortunately, men have entitled her the Queen of Angels and the Mother of God. By using the term “woman,” Christ assured us that Mary was nothing more than just a woman and God’s humble servant. Yes, she was blessed by God. However, if you consider Luke 1:28, you find this remarkable statement about Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Note the angel said that Mary was “blessed…among women.” The angel did not say she was blessed above women. Mary was a simple and humble woman who was blessed to be used by God. God still seeks to use women as His instruments of blessing today. Thus, Mary and countless other women are His simple servants. I believe Mary would wholeheartedly agree with that same assessment.
Now, note something else that Christ says in this first miracle related to His Deity.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Christ said, “Mine hour is not yet come.” The word “hour” is significant in this gospel. There are seven times when the Holy Spirit uses the word “hour.” The first is here in our text. The second is found in John 7:30
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
The third time we see this word “hour” in John 8:20
20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
The fourth is John 12:23
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
The fifth is John 12:27
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
The sixth is John 16:32
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
The seventh and final time is 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:
Why is this significant? Each time was a reminder of that “hour” when He, the Lamb, would sacrifice Himself for our sins. It was the hour of His humiliation and suffering. In this story, He tells Mary that His “hour” has not yet come. In other words, when He would lay down His life to pay, the penalty we could not pay had not yet come. And, it would not come by the order of men; it would come when God was ready for Him to do so. Until then, Christ is determined to do the Father’s business and seek only His Father’s will.
One last observation about Christ’s deity is displayed in this story and inaugural miracle.
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.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
The miracle of turning water into wine comes about differently most of Christ’s other miracles. Indeed, Christ was the One Who performed the miracle of turning water into wine. However, on this occasion, Christ did nothing visibly in performing the miracle. He did not speak the miracle into happening. He did not pick up dirt and spit into it making clay as He did with one blind man. There was not visible exhibition of any sort as the water turned into wine. No command to the water. No touching the water. No magical formula was used. Again, the water turned into wine simply because Christ, the Creator of the Universe, willed it so. Each miracle was a physical demonstration that Christ was God as it defied the laws of physics and science.
Instead, Christ used the obedience of humble servants to bring out about His first miracle.
What was the significance of Him doing so?
I believer it is this. He used it as a...
A Demonstration of Submissive Obedience
A Demonstration of Submissive Obedience
Again, note the sequence of events.
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.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
There were six empty waterpots. These waterpots have their symbolism. If you will permit me, let me show their significance.
The waterpots were empty with a stone-coldness to them. You might say lifeless and, up to now, useless. Also, the Holy Spirit mentions explicitly that these waterpots were set apart “after the manner of the purifying of the Jews.” They were designed for ceremonial purification. However, as they were empty, they were valueless. Now, at the command of Christ, the servants fill the empty, lifeless waterpots with water. By the way, in Scripture, we see water as an emblem of the written Word of God.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Returning to the waterpots, we see the servants filling them “up to the brim.” Then, as they pour out the water, we find.
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
The water is now “good wine.”
What is the picture here? Is it not a picture of regeneration? Does Christ do the same for us as people?
Before we met Christ, we were just like these waterpots. We were lifeless spiritually, valueless, and useless. However, when we met the Savior and placed our faith in Him, He filled us with His Word to the brim and turned us into valuable vessels from which His blessings flow.
However, note something that I believe God wants us to know this morning.
Note again, the servants.
9 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,
Here, we find one of the great principles of Christian living. Note something earlier in this story that connects us with verse 9.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
As we know, Christ instructed them to fill the empty stone waterpots with water. The servants, without question, did what they were instructed. They obeyed. There was no questioning Christ. There was no rebuttal. No one piped up and said, “Who exactly are you, and why should I obey you?” No, these servants did what good servants do. They obeyed. They drew water from a nearby well. They hauled the water over to the stone waterpots and promptly filled them. That was it. Then, later, as they drew out the water from the waterpots, lo and behold, it was now wine.
Who was the closest to Christ during the execution of this miracle?
It was not Mary or the disciples. They were present. The servants were the closest to Christ as this miracle played out. It was the servants who knew the One Who performed the miracle. No one else knew outside of Mary and the disciples. The people attending the wedding did not know. The governor of the wedding did not know. Even the bridegroom had no idea. I imagined he was a little shocked when the governor began to praise him for holding the best wine for the end.
What is my point?
The key to seeing God do miracles in our lives is our humble and submissive obedience to Christ.
Later, Christ tells the story of two men who build houses. Both men chose very different foundations for their new houses. One wise man built his new house upon stone, giving it a rock-solid foundation. The other, a foolish man, came up with the idea of building his house on the sand. Of course, you can imagine the outcome of such a foolish decision. As the story goes, the wind came, the sea rose, and storms swept over both houses. The house built upon the rock stood firm. And, as you might have guessed, the house built upon sand fell. Christ noted that its fall was great. After the story, Christ states this.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
In this first miracle, Christ demonstrates the importance of obedience.
Regardless of our roles or positions, we are expected to submit and obey.
We see this in Mary, as the mother of Jesus, and with the servants. Both were expected to humble themselves and submit to Christ’s authority. It is no different today. The wise believer is the one who understands the importance of obedience to Christ. They build their life upon it. They are determined to live for Him in every area of their life. Unfortunately, it seems too many believers are like the foolish man. Instead of making the wise choice, they choose to live for themselves. Then, when the storms of life overwhelm them, their whole world falls apart, and waves and the wind overcome them.
May I encourage you to be like the servant in this first miracle and the wise man in the story! Determine to live in obedience to Christ. If you will, not only will you build upon the solid foundation of Christ’s Word withstanding the storms of life, but you will also become a useful instrument as He performs great miracles.
This thought brings me to the last point of the message. This first miracle was also...
A Demonstration of Our Participation in God’s Grand Design
A Demonstration of Our Participation in God’s Grand Design
Think again about what took place at this wedding.
We have the waterpots, which represent regeneration. They were dead and useless. Christ turned them into valuable instruments by which He poured out His blessing upon the wedding. They are pictures of every person born into this world. They are born without Him. They are born spiritually dead, useless, and valueless. Yet, when they encounter Christ and put their faith in Him, He changes everything. They are now made alive and become the avenue through which God can do great things.
Then, you have the servants who represent the epitome of obedience. They did what He instructed them to do. As they obeyed, He performed a miracle, and the wedding party was again blessed with amazing wine.
Here is where I am going with all this!
This first miracle is the continuation of Christ teaching us something important. Remember, He is God. He is Logos, Life, Light, and the Lamb. We started our journey through John, learning how John the Baptist was a voice, an instrument in the wilderness. John had one responsibility. He was to preach and pave the way for the Lamb who was to come. The day Christ shows up to where John was preaching is the same day that John proclaims to the multitudes, “Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world!” The next day, John again proclaims Christ as the Lamb of God. Two men respond to that message. They end up spending the day with Christ and staying overnight as well. What happened the following day? One of them, Andrew, hurries off to tell the good news of the Messiah to his brother, Peter. In the end, five men are now following Christ. Each had an encounter with the Savior and left changed. Now, we are this wedding and Christ’s first miracle.
What do we find in this miracle?
We find waterpots.
We find waterpots. There is a world filled with people who are just like those waterpots. They are sitting there empty. Something is missing. They don’t know what, but they know they need something more than just the everyday grind of a useless life. They need a spiritual life.
As I think about this, once again, the words of Romans 10 flood my mind.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
That verse coupled with one that I read earlier makes perfect sense.
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
As His Word enters their life and they receive the glorious message of His payment for their sin, those lifeless and empty pots become helpful. Their lives are changed. They are resurrected spiritually, able now to live and breathe for Him.
We find servants.
They obeyed. Their simple obedience becomes an example of our lives when we obey as well.
Here is the point!
God is pleased to use human instruments to perform His works! He wants to use us and relishes using us for His glory and grace.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
You might be thinking this morning that you are not worthy of God's use. Perhaps, in your mind, you have no talent, and your ability to speak for Him is pretty limited. No worries.
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Regardless of what you think about yourself, God wants to use you. He can take the most seemingly foolish person that is a believer and completely confound the wise. He can take the person who seems to be the weakest and confound the mighty. No matter your role or position in life, believer, God can, will, and wants to use you. However, for Him to do so, you must be a believer who responds in simple obedience.
The Bible is filled with stories about people from all walks of life God used in unique ways. We often talk about the great miracles that Christ did. Indeed, He did some wondrous and amazing things. However, Scripture also records the wondrous and amazing things that God did through others. He used Moses to bring about ten plagues upon Egypt, divide the Red Sea, cause the Sun to stand still, and many other wonderful miracles. However, don’t forget that Moses also did not think so highly of himself. He argued with God when God presented Himself in the burning bush. Moses argued that he was not eloquent in speech and was the last person God should use to speak before the mighty Pharoah of Egypt. God disregarded Moses' argument because God didn’t desire eloquent speech; God wanted a humble servant. I could list name after name of both men and women, from shepherds to kings, that God used. Each person saw God use them to do mighty works.
However, let me give you this one last thought.
What is the greatest miracle of all? It is not water turned into wine, causing a blind man to see, or even feeding thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two small fish. No, the greatest miracle is resurrection. Nothing is more significant than raising a person from the dead. And, yet, the greatest miracle performed today is the resurrection of spiritual life. If you recall, Christ performed the miracle of turning water into wine. However, He used those servants that day to do the work. As they obeyed, a great miracle took place.
Is it not the same today? God is the One Who saves individuals. He is the One Who resurrects their dead spirits, giving them eternal life. However, who has He chosen to perform the work? He has chosen us, believers.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Note that He has all the power but instructs us to go, teach, baptize, and disciple. As we go, there it is - obedience. He is with us, and He performs miracles.
Our obedience allows us to be useful instruments by which God does some amazing things.
There is nothing more amazing than seeing a person’s spirit resurrected. There is nothing more special than being a part of a new birth. What makes it ever better is we know that God uses us to do it.
The servants were the same. Only they knew the miracle that He had wrought.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Recap the central themes of Christ’s divinity and our role in His miraculous works. God’s great transforming power is on full display when willingly submit and obey Him.
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
What two things were evidenced by Mary’s words to Jesus at the wedding feast?
Why did Jesus respond to her as “woman” and not “mother?”
What did the waterpots represent?
What key characteristic of the servants is also required of believers today?
What did you think about God’s desire to use as today?