John 2:1-11

“The presence of Jesus Christ brings hope and rejoicing”

Introduction: (vv.1-2) Jesus and the disciples were invited to attend a wedding in Cana of Galilee. A wedding is a major event in the Jewish culture.

Problem/Conflict: (v.3) The family ran out of wine and this means shame for the family.

Weddings usually last for 7 days. Mary was quick to come to Jesus for help. Mary reported the situation to Jesus. It could be that Mary may have been a friend of the family, helping behind the scenes.

The family are in need of help from a shameful situation. They have no means of resolving the problem. A joyful occasion is about to turn ugly and shameful for the family.

Mary came to Jesus but did Mary expect a miracle? Mary knew already that Jesus is the Son of God and she must have see Jesus as the only one who can help the family. It ma be that she was prompting Jesus to reveal himself publicly as the Messiah she knew him to be.

The ESV Study Bible - The wedding party’s running out of wine may be seen as symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of first-century Judaism, especially against an OT background that viewed wine (but never drunkenness) as a sign of joy and God’s blessing (Psalm 104:15“15 And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.”

Rising Action: (vv.4-6) Jesus responded to the situation

Jesus addressed Mary “Woman”. It is not an disrespectful but the polite and informal way of addressing a person (like Ma’am). This is the way Jesus address other women as well. This also signals a major change in their relationship

“His public ministry had begun, and earthly relationships would not determine His actions. Mary was to relate to Him no longer as her son, but as her Messiah, the Son of God, and her Savior” - John Mcarthur Commentary

The phrase “My hour has not yet come” refers to Jesus’ death and glorification (John 7:6 “6 So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune.”

John 7:8 “8 “Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.””

“My hour has not yet come” - This supports the possibility that Mary was knowingly asking Jesus to reveal Himself at that time, since He had for years been in the fullness of mature manhood. Jesus made it clear that He would act according to God’s timetable, decreed before the foundation of the world, not hers or any man’s

The point of the story here is that the person in charge is no longer Jesus’ mother. Indeed, readers should notice that his mother completely fades out of the story from this point on. She has served the evangelist’s purpose of moving the focus to Jesus. The point of the story is not to focus on the mother.

Climax: (v.7) Jesus instructed the servants to fill the water pots with water

Jesus answers Mary’s request, not because she is His mother, but as part of His work as the Messiah. This indicates that Mary’s special relationship as Jesus’ mother gives her no authority to intervene in Christ’s messianic career—a strong argument against offering prayer to Mary.

What is the significance of the purification pots?

The reference to the jars being the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing is suggestive of the symbolic significance of the miracle: that the ritual demands of the Mosaic law were being replaced by ‘the new messianic provision by Jesus. This portrays that Jesus is greater than that of the provision by Moses and that Christianity is an advance over Judaism - From the Law to GRACE.

Resolution: (vv.8-10) Jesus turned the water into wine.

Jesus showed his divinity by being sovereign over nature (atomic make up of the water into wine)

The family rejoiced because of the best wine. From “no more wine” to “serving the best wine”. From worry to rejoicing!

Jesus not only rescued the bride and groom from an embarrassing situation, but the leftover wine also provided them with a generous wedding present.

“Inviting Jesus to your home and his presence in the home makes a difference.”

Jesus is compassionate to those who need help and and are desperate.

“God allows times of need to leave a room for the display of His power - "I have no doubt that all this was regulated by the Providence of God, that there might be room for the miracle.” John Calvin

Jesus helps us without us knowing (he works in the background).

What is the significance of the abundance of the wine as the first miracle?

The wedding banquet was an Old Testament symbol of the Messiah’s arrival. Isaiah 54:4–8 “4 “Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. 5 “For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. 6 “For the Lord has called you, Like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, Even like a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected,” Says your God. 7 “For a brief moment I forsook you, But with great compassion I will gather you. 8 “In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,” Says the Lord your Redeemer.”

Old Testament also described this messianic era with the image of an abundance of wine.

Jeremiah 31:12 NIV

12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

Joel 3:18 NET 2nd ed.

18 “On that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the dry stream beds of Judah will flow with water. A spring will flow out from the temple of the Lord, watering the Valley of Acacia Trees.

Amos 9:13–14 NIV

13 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, 14 and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

The gift of the best and abundant wine symbolized the best gift of God to us - remember that the wine symbolized the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins and by believing in Jesus, we are cleansed from our sins.

Conclusion: (vv.11) The sign miracle showed the deity of Jesus and his disciples believed in Jesus.

Jesus manifested his power and glory through the sign miracle.

Commenting on the significance of the miracle, the evangelist makes two points. First, he says that through it Jesus revealed his glory. The glory of Jesus was revealed both in his ability to change water into wine, and in his grace in providing an abundance of quality wine to spare the bridegroom an embarrassing loss of face. Second, the evangelist says that his disciples believed in him.

The purpose of the miracles of Jesus is to show the deity of Christ (glory) strengthen the faith and belief of people who witnessed the miracle.

Exegetical Idea:

Jesus was invited to a wedding celebration and He saved the couple/family from shame and embarrassment by turning water into wine showing His divinity and as a result he brought rejoicing to the family and guests and strengthened the faith of the disciples.

Homiletical Idea:

The presence of Jesus Christ brings hope and rejoicing because He is the sovereign and compassionate God who saves us from our most desperate situation so that we will put our faith in Him to be saved.

Proper Response:

I. Cultivate the presence of Jesus in your heart

- Inviting Jesus to journey with you as you begin the day.

- Believing in His power to justify and sanctify you.

- Depending in Him (like Mary) to help you from temptations and trials.

II. Show the presence of Jesus in your relationships

- Compassion

-In your home church, friends, schools, workmates