The First Miracle - John 2:1-12

The best wine, not the cheap wine.

Last week we started to work on becoming disciples of Christ not just a follower

So what is a disciple vs. a follower

A disciple wants to learn, live, and let the Holy Spirit change them to become more Christ like as they walk with Christ

A follower is someone who will just stay on the edges, listen in but not want to actually change, or a better description, let the Holy Spirit change their lives

How did the mini-fig Jesus go this week? Any reports? Any one have one they would like to share so that we can join in the praising of our Lord together?

If you still have some keep putting them out and let us hear what God encounters you have

Pray

This morning we are going to look at the first of seven main miracles that are recorded in the book of John

There are several what you might call minor miracles but you know, a miracle is a miracle in my book

There is also included in this 12 verses a command that was hinted at a few weeks ago that came from Jesus’ mother that we need to remember and also can use depending upon whom we are witnessing too

But for now, let us read the scripture and then sink our teeth into it.

2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

So let us look into the verses and what they have to teach us today that we can use.

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. 2. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with His Disciples.

The last place that we knew Jesus was at was in Bethany about 80 miles from Cana

That would put it at almost 40 miles a day and make it a three day hike from Bethany to Cana

There was a wedding and since Mary, the mother of Jesus, was attending and that Jesus was also invited it very well could have been a family member

This is also the town that Nathanael was from

The town of Cana was/is only about 6 miles from Nazareth however it was almost 75 miles from Bethlehem

3. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

In verse three it appears that Mary is aware of Jesus’ power and that he can fix the problem that the wedding couple has run out of wine for the event

He even asks what does this have to do with me and how is it of my concern

Jesus even states that His ministry has not ‘officially’ started and why should he do this? (Or so it would read).

Ladies, if your son called you, “Woman”, what would your reaction be?

Well here do not take offense to it as it was an informal form of addressing a lady

John uses this form of address several times in his gospel

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

Okay verse five, lots of things to look at in only eleven words

In the book of John this is the last time that Jesus’ mother is mentioned until chapter 19, three and a half year later

John never names Mary, he uses either “Woman” or “the mother of Jesus”

Assuming that the audience already knows who he is referring too

Also Ladies do not take offense when you hear her referred to as “Woman” it is just an informal address system used in the day

These are the last recorded words in the bible of Mary

While these were commands to the servants sent to get wine, they are words that we too can and should live by to the best of our ability

Will we trip and fall at times, may be just stumble a little bit, the answer is yes

At times will we walk out of the will of the Father again the answer is yes

But in those times who is standing right beside you ready to pick you up, hold your hand, and continue to walk with you - Jesus

I mention all of these because we are to do all that He tells us but as humans we will make mistakes, we will stumble, and knowing that, not beating yourself up over it, and going, “Jesus, I need your help with this.” is exactly what He wants us to do, lean on Him

There are people who will put this simple woman, though richly blessed, on a pedestal and some will talk of her as though she were Christ’s equal

When you meet with such people always handle them with grace and love

6. Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.

So we have these cisterns that are used to hold clean water so that ritual purification can be done

The washing of hands before a meal, feet after a long trip.

The stone would not have allowed bacteria to be harbored in them such as clay or wood would have done

Very possible that these urns had been carved from a single stone each as many have been found that way in archeological digs

We have what would have been between 120 and 180 gallons of water that were turned into wine

So in this time this water would have been of same as holy water would be for the Catholic church today

These jars were filled to the brim with water so that there could be no deception as to where the wine was coming from

The servants didn’t even know what they were drawing out, they put water in so they would have just assumed it was water coming out

And remember, these jars were only used for water and kept clean for religious reasons

They take the ‘water’ and bring it to the master of the feast, the wedding planner if you will

Remember the wedding planner does not know where the wine has come from, according to the scripture, only that the servants have brought wine for him to approve or disapprove for the feast

9. When the mast of the feast tasted the water not become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

There is no comment here that the servants knew what they were giving to the master of ceremony, rather they would have assumed that it was just water

What do you think their reaction was when they heard that the water from the urns was now wine?

In today’s world how long does a wedding ceremony and reception last?

Let’s see, the wedding can last upwards of an hour

Reception can be a few hours depending upon where and what is going on

In Jesus’ time the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) would last for a full week, all seven days

As such watering the wine to make it last for seven days was not an uncommon practice

This is one reason the master of ceremony made that comment about after everyone had drank their fill they would server a lower quality of wine (lots of wine at these functions)

There would be meals, music, dancing, and entire community would be involved in the celebration for the newlyweds

After the wedding was consummated there would be a feast in celebration and of course, more wine

The host was expected to provide food and drink the whole week and running out would bring shame to the family

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

Of all ceremonies which to do you think is among the most important to the Father - Would the wedding between two be on that list?

Today’s world has a tendency to not hold the union between two people in such a high regard but God does and we see this in many examples throughout the bible

Our relationship with him is even called and referred to as a marriage and we are the bride of said marriage

So how interesting is it that Christ’s first public miracle is conducted at a marriage

He took what could have been an embarrassment to the bride and groom and blessed it with the memory of the best wine ever tasted, meeting a need that few knew was needed

John also opens this ministry of Jesus’ with it happening at a festival, as we progress we will see that there are many festivals where Jesus shows His power and glory

12. After this he went down to Capernaum, with His mother and His brothers and His disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

This is the first time that we do not have Joseph listed with Jesus’ earthly family

There is some discussion in religious circles about Jesus’ brothers.

In Mark 6:3 it mentions, “the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon. And are not His sisters here with us?”

In Matthew 13:55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”

The Protestant view is that Mary had other children with Joseph

The Catholic and Orthodox views are that Mary remained a perpetual virgin and the term ‘brothers’ refers to cousins

Now Capernaum was about a three days journey from Cana and is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee

So what have we seen here today in our scriptures?

The first of seven miracles described in the gospel of John

That it was at a wedding, a joyous occasion that He chose to perform this

That not all of living is death and darkness, the Lord brings light to the world

That in a way Jesus operated behind the scenes to bring forth the best tasting wine possible blessing the couple and the party goers

How can we apply this today

That we need to only ask and so much that if it is for the Kingdom of God it will be answered and there will be times that we do not know he answered the request

Because like the bride and groom they did not know they needed wine, it was the master of ceremonies responsibility to ensure everything was met, a need was met without their knowledge

In Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Isaiah 65:24 “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.”

Matthew 7:7–8 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

And lastly 1 John 5:14–15 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

This week, keep a list of prayers that are answered

New ones or old ones and bring those to us so that we can join you in praising our Lord

Next week we are going to see one of the most talked about events in the Bible and also a look at one of the most important feasts

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your savior or maybe you have just stepped away from Him make today the day you come to Him and say, “Jesus, Savior, I’m sorry for my sins, please forgive me and let me walk with you today and forever.”

It can be done here, I’ll join you in prayer, it can be done sitting in your car before you go home, but no matter where if you do not know Jesus please make it before you leave the church. No one knows the time or the hour that our soul will be asked of us. Don’t wait.

Let us Pray