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Introduction
Water into Wine
The Gospel of John is structured around around seven signs:
Jesus turned the water into wine, 2:1-12
Jesús convierte el agua en vino
The healing of the royal official’s son, 4:46-54
Jesús sana al hijo del oficial
The healing of the paralytic at Bethesda, 5:1-15
Jesús sana al paralítico en Bethesda
Feeding of the 5,000, 6:5-14
Alimentación de los 5,000
Jesus walks on water, 6:16-24
Jesús camina sobre el agua
Healing of the blind man from birth, 9:1-7
Jesús sana al que era ciego de nacimiento
Raising of Lazarus, 11:1-45
Jesús resucita a Lázaro
On this day, in which we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we have the privilege of seeing the first of these signs.
Let us not forget that the miracles in the bible are not there simply to catch our attention or to serve as entertainment.
Miracles in the bible are used by God to authenticate his messengers.
Miracles in the bible are real supernatural acts of God.
In the case of this Gospel, we understand that they were recorded so that we may believe.
We will consider the first of these signs under the following headings:
The problem
El problema
The miracle
El milagro
The purpose
El propósito
I.
The problem
El problema
Jesus family and his disciples have been invited to a wedding.
2:1
We are not told the reason for this invitation.
It could very well be that they were close or distant relatives.
Whatever may be the case, we know one thing for sure: jewish weddings were an occasion for much celebration.
Jewish weddings could last for as much as one week.
We know this from ancient records as well as from the Old Testament (e.g., Samson’s wedding according to , )
It was a time of feasting and much rejoicing.
Many friends and relatives would come from far off.
The bridegroom and his family were expected to provide food for all their guests.
This was especially important in a culture that put a great emphasis on the importance of hospitality.
If the bridegroom did not provide well for his guests he would face much shame and potentially lawsuits for his failure to provide.
During the course of the wedding tragedy strikes.
Mary comes to Jesus and informs him there is no more wine.
It is possible that either Mary was very close to the family and is concerned for the shame and legal problems that the bridegroom may face; or it may be that she was working in some kind of catering capacity.
Whatever may be the reason, this is a very serious matter.
The wine has run out.
We live in a society where alcohol has been very much abused.
There are people who have lost family, jobs, money, dignity because of their abuse of alcohol.
However, it should not surprise us that we find wine mentioned here in Scripture.
However, just because the Bible mentions the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine, we should not think God approves of drunkeness.
Drunkenness is a sin and must be repented of.
In fact, the Bible identifies drunkeness as one of those sins that will keep people from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
We can be assured that the Lord Jesus would not have condoned drunkeness, for nowhere in verses 1—12 do we find mention of the people becoming drunk.
One is surprised as Jesus’ reply to Mary.
John
Jesus calls her “woman”.
Now, if I were to call my mother “woman”, I can assure you she would not be very happy with me.
However, this was a common way of speaking to a mother.
It is the same word Jesus used when he commended Mary’s care to his disciple John ().
Jesus speaks about his “hour” that has not yet come.
Elsewhere in the Bible this expression is used to speak about his death, resurrection, and ascension to the father.
Jesus demonstrates, that even early on in his earthly ministry, he has as his primary focus his mission upon earth.
The second person of the Holy Trinity became man to give his life as a ransom for many.
The Son of God wrapped himself in human flesh to live a perfect life and give his life for the forgiveness of sins, for all those who believe.
God’s covenant of redemption is the driving force behind Jesus’ earthly ministry.
He is so focused on God’s plan of redemption that he wants to make it clear, even to his mother, that he has come to this world to bring life to humanity.
Will Jesus do anything?
Mary knew for what reason Jesus had come to earth.
She knows Jesus became incarnate in her womb for the purpose of saving us for our sins.
She knows Jesus is God in the flesh.
She knows he is Emmanuel (God with us) and God who is full of mercy and compassion is an ever present help in time of need.
Mary has faith that something is about to happen.
JOhn 2
What beautiful words were spoken by Mary.
Never did Mary call attention to herself but rather as John the Baptist, she called others to full and absolute obedience to Him who can do all things.
Let us heed Mary’s exhortation.
II.
The miracle
El milagro
John introduces this marvelous miracle by explaining a Jewish custom involving ceremonial washings.
There massive stone jars were most likely in a prominent place in the home so that guests could wash themselves according to ancient Jewish law.
Jesus orders that these jars be filled with water.
Notice that John records they were filled with water and filled to the brim.
There was no way someone could have added additional liquid, dye, or flavoring such that they could trick others in thinking they had miraculously turned it into wine.
The servants did just as they were told.
They simply obeyed Jesus’ word.
They did not hesitate.
Next, Jesus orders them to take some to the master of ceremonies.
This would be the person whose main purpose was to maintain order, ensure guests were being taken care of, and coordinate the distribution of food and drink.
The servants knew that the jars contained only water.
They knew it would have been simply ridiculous to offer this water to the master of ceremonies.
Most likely, the water was from a well.
It was not very safe to drink.
In fact, in the ancient world many added a small amount of wine to drinking water so the alcohol would kill off any bacteria.
Nevertheless, they obeyed.
And suddenly, the miracle happens!
The miracle happens between the time the servants take some water and give it to the master of ceremonies.
The master of ceremonies is astonished for he knows the normal custom in Jewish weddings:
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