Jesus the Savior who Supplies

Introduction

Today we are going to look at a most interesting story. Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding. Of all the miracles he did this is seemingly the most mundane miracle. All the other miracles served to show Jesus’ power to the world. Yet I propose that this miracle not only shows the power of Jesus but previews His role as the Savior of the world more so than even his walking on water or feeding of the 5000. I wonder if after the ascension the disciples look back at this moment and have an aha moment and exclaim I get it now. Look with me at John 2:1-12

John 2:1–12 ESV

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 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 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.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Jesus abundant provision

John 2:1–6 ESV

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

Weddings lasted for 7-10 days

Responsibility of the groom to provide food and wine for all invited

failure to do so was an offense and would be the talk of the town

Jesus has no responsibility to provide here

Mary tells Jesus the problem

Jesus responds this is not my problem and my hour has not come - phrase signifying his purpose namely the cross

Yet Mary tells the servants to obey whatever he says

Mary wants Jesus to reveal who he is - 30 years carrying burden of virgin birth

Jesus only does and says whats in the Father’s will

You ever have your family tell you what you ought to do is when God is telling you something else

Nevertheless Jesus looks over at six stone water jars each holding 20-30 gallons says fill em up and take some to the master of the feast.

thats 120-180 gallons of wine more than enough to meet the need

some have suggested that it was grape juice or a diluted wine but the master of the feast makes clear this is the finest wine.

practice was to serve good wine then people start getting drunk you give them cheap wine. Yet Jesus wine is better than the good wine they had already served.

This doesn't mean that its okay to be drunk simply that it was a custom of the day.

Jesus points to the Cross

Clearly Jesus saves the family some face but what is his real purpose in this miracle.

John 2:11 ESV

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Yet only the disciples, Mary, and the servants knew what had happened.

At the time I believe this miracle was lost on the disciples. They had a moment of excitement and then it was gone.

Why did John include this story and how did it manifest the glory of Jesus?

Look again at John 2:6

John 2:6 ESV

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

These are jars for ceremonial washings - old testament reminder of ones sinfulness and need for cleansing

Jesus takes these jars and makes wine. Remember in 3.5 years Jesus will be in the upper room with his disciples making a covenant with them where he gives them wine and says this wine is my blood that will be poured out for you to cleanse you of your sins.

Jesus uses the jars of purification to make wine and he uses wine to represent his blood that is spilt to cleanse us of all sin.

Jesus in the very beginning of his ministry is pointing towards the cross.

This miracle manifested his glory not only by his miraculous provision of wine but more importantly because it pointed to his miraculous provision of forgiveness of sin upon the cross.

Luke 22:20 ESV

And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

The Disciples believed

John 2:11 ESV

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Finally notice that the disciples believed in him.

Obviously this is not speaking of their first moment of belief since we read last week they believed and brought others to see him. This then is a growth of faith and a greater belief in who Jesus was.

We will see 4 times the statement the disciples believed in him. Each time marks a significant growth in their faith and understanding in Christ.

Here the disciples begin to realize Jesus is more than the promised King, that God is working through him to do something greater. It will not be until after the ascension when they look back that they realize the true significance of this moment.

Is that not how we are? Don’t we learn more as we reflect on experiences after the fact than we do during the moment.

Mary is focused on the shame of the past

the disciples are focused on the excitement of the present.

Jesus is focused on fulfilling the purposes of God.

Invitation

I dont know what your focusing on today, maybe your like mary and stuck in the past, maybe its the loss of a loved one, a scandal, a divorce. Somebody hurt you and you can’t find your way out. I encourage you to look to Jesus He is the great healer and comforter He is the friend who will never leave you and He alone can heal your pain. Maybe your like the disciples and you see what God is doing in your life and its exciting. Enjoy it but do not let it take away from your true purpose. Always remember God wants you to tell others about him share your excitement with someone else. Light the flame of excitement in their lives. Regardless let us all be like Jesus and keep our focus on God and fulfilling His purposes in our lives. Yet there may be one listening who does not know Jesus sweet provision for the forgiveness of sins. You may be listening now and thinking I know I’ve messed up im not perfect and I want that forgiveness. The process is simple. First admit to God that your a sinner and choose today to repent, to turn away from sin and turn back to God. Then put your faith your trust in Jesus and his death on the cross as payment of your sin, and make him Lord, master of your life. If you do this the bible says you will be forgiven and saved from your sins. Will you choose today to put your trust in him? If so I ask that you come forward as we have a song of invitation, so I can pray with you and encourage you.