Divine Fingerprints

The Invitation

John 2:1–2 HCSB

On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well.

Three days after Jesus Baptism there was a wedding that Mary, Jesus and the disciples were invited too.

Invitation, noun

1. the act of inviting.

2. the written or spoken form with which a person is invited.

3. something offered as a suggestion:

an invitation to consider a business merger.

4. attraction or incentive; allurement.

5. a provocation

And since we all love when the word we are looking to define is all in the deffinition lets dig a bit deeper.

verb (used with object), invited, inviting.

1. to request the presence or participation of in a kindly, courteous, or complimentary way, especially to request to come or go to someplace, gathering, entertainment, etc., or to do something.

So an invitation is the noun but it’s root is a verb, an action. Jesus and his disciples are have been invited to join the gathering. That invitation is the start of something important. It’s the beginning of 3.5 years of ministry, that would ultimately culminate in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Problem

John 2:3-4

John 2:3–4 HCSB

When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They don’t have any wine.” “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.”

There are a few things happening here.

Poor planning. Wedding feasts often lasted 7 days. Basically it was a 7 day party, you were supposed to prepare for that party by having enough food, and wine. The fact that they ran out means poor planning on the master of the feasts part and the people that were celebrating.

Jesus makes a clear break. Don’t mistake him using the term woman to mean disrespect, remember this is not 2019 the word woman was a polite kind expression that Jesus is using he used it again when he speaks to her from the cross and when he sees Mary Magdalene after being resurrected. Jesus in doing so is saying. You are important to me, I love you, I care for you, but you need to understand that things have changed. He is not rejecting her in any way he is just explaining in these words and the ones that follow. “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” That it’s time for something different something that is going to change the course of history.

Simple Faith

John 2:5

John 2:5 HCSB

“Do whatever He tells you,” His mother told the servants.

I love what Mary does here. She has made the need known to Jesus, a need that Jesus says. look this has nothing to do with me. Mom we are guests at this wedding, you are not in charge here why are you doing this. It’s not time, yet. Things are changing. Mary takes all these things into account and promptly goes up to the servants and says. My son will take care of it. Do what he says and all will be well. Mary has no doubt that her son will take care of it. Some think she knew he would do a miracle. THis is not likely the case. She just trusted that he could and would help. (speculate as to why)

Blowing it all up

John 2:6-8

John 2:6–8 HCSB

Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained 20 or 30 gallons. “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant.” And they did.

120 Gallons of wine. NOt just any wine the best wine. People that preach like to point that out that Jesus gives the best gifts. But the significance in this part of the story is not how great the wine is it’s everytihng around it.

The jars were used for washing your hands before the feast, for purification for ritual cleansing of the body before and after eating.

No self respecting Jew would think of drinking from them.

Jesus is making a clear statement to the people around him. Things are changing. With me things change!

John 2:9-10

John 2:9–10 HCSB

When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”

There is a link here to another time that water was changed.

Exodus 7:17

Exodus 7:12 HCSB

Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.

Exodus 7:17 HCSB

This is what Yahweh says: Here is how you will know that I am Yahweh. Watch. I will strike the water in the Nile with the staff in my hand, and it will turn to blood.

In Exodus God is bringing Judgment

In John Jesus is bringing Joy and change. Breaking the traditions for something new.

Divine fingerprints leave a lasting impression.

John 2:11-12

John 2:11–12 HCSB

Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. After this, He went down to Capernaum, together with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

This miracle was not done in front of a huge crowd. In fact the circle of people who knew about it was decidedly small, a group of slaves and the disciples. We are not even sure Mary heard Jesus instructions much less saw where the servants got the wine from. However it caused his disciples to believe. It caused them to realize ok this is something different, this person is not an ordinary man.

”11-12

We must ask ourselves. Do we allow for Gods divine fingerprints in our lives. The transformational power the change that no everyone else sees?

This week’s challenge

Read

On Saturday re-read , yes the WHOLE THING… bring a snack. Just kidding.