John 2 - Water, Wine, and Wrangling

Jesus First Miracle John 2:1-12

Background: Jesus and Mary are invited to attend a wedding feast. This miracle is only found recorded in John. Why only John? Some believe it is possible that only Mary heard Jesus reply to Mary. If you remember correctly While Jesus was on the cross, Jesus instructed John to take care of His mother. Mary was taken into the home of John. Many believe the source of this dialogue between Jesus and Mary was then relayed to John for our benefit by Mary herself. I think this is a good possibility.

Many suggest this was the wedding of a close family member due to Jesus and Mary both attending

We see Mary’s faith in Jesus as the Son of God. John 2:2-5

Mary recognized there was a problem only Jesus could solve

Mary instructed others to do the work of faith - filling the water jars

apologetic moment: Those closest to Christ on earth believed in Him as the Messiah

Jesus response.

“What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?”

It must be noted that Jesus response was not one of disrespect, but one of distance. Mary while she was his earthly mother had no special standing when it comes to salvation. She herself had to come to the realization that she was a sinner in need of salvation. she had to place her faith in Him.

While this question has been interpreted correctly our common understanding of it due to cultural influences often skews its meaning. Jesus was not being a smart-alec in fact this phrase carries with it more of the idea of “what would you have me to do?” This gives us a better understanding of the following remark.

“My hour has not yet come?” - Jesus is referring that it was not God’s timing yet for him to reveal his true nature to the crowd at the wedding.

The true beneficiary of the miracle was his disciples.

Jesus Clears the temple - John 2:13-23

They had made the temple into something it was never meant to be.....

The people at some point had become accepting of the way things were probably for the sake of convenience.

it was easier to have the animals available in the temple complex then to have to drive them from some place else.

God won’t mind after all these sacrifices are for him.......

Perfect example that God’s work must be done God’s way. It proves that the motivation of the heart is not sufficient for obedience if we ignore God’s commands

KINGDOM MOMMENT- God’s kingdom is displayed only when God’s people, Do God’s will, God’s way.

Jesus did the unpopular work of cleaning out the temple so that true worship could return

I’m sure that most church-growth experts today would not approve of Jesus methods or the delivery of His message.

I’m sure there were many religious people who decided from that time on that Jesus was the enemy.

to the religious the preaching of repentance always inflames them.

to the humble and broken the preaching of repentance is what changes them.

“What sign will you show us for doing these things?” - Who gave you the authority to do this? John 2:18

Jesus pointed them to his own authority.

Jesus would be the means by which people worshipped the father

Instead of people going to the temple to worship the father by sacrificing they would soon have to go through the sacrifice of the son.