Christ the the Supernatural Solution - The signifance of an insignificant Miracle

Im not gonna lie, weddings aren’t the most exciting thing for me to go and sit through but I always look forward to the opportunity to see someone do something that will just make you laugh.

from the preacher saying the wrong thing, to the brother of the groom passing out (Isaiah)

To the cake being shoved in the grooms face.

I look forward to those parts of the wedding

Story of Singing at James wedding.

Show video of rehearsal

Today we are going to la wedding celebration with Jesus in fact its the first recorded public stop for Jesus’s ministry.

The Story: Background

Matthew 4 and Luke 4 tell us that after jesus was baptized by john the Baptist in the Jordan river Jesus went away into the wilderness for 40 days.

but the Bible tells us that while Jesus was alone in the wilderness that Satan threw everything he could at Jesus to try and make him sin.

he tempted him with power, glory and provisions but Jesus in his perfection did not yield to the temptation but stood firm.

John chapter 1 picks up with the story of jesus as he returns back from the wilderness .

our author John begins with Day one of the week . h John the Baptist is again at the Jordan river preaching repentance and baptizing people in the river. - The religious leaders came to John and questioned him as to what authority he had to be doing this.

He proclaimed to the leaders and to to the crowd around him that I am only baptizing with water but there is coming one who will be be the savior of the world. The Son of God.

The Next day ( day 2 of the week) John Sees Jesus coming down the road towards him and He proclaims “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John Declares Jesus of Nazareth as the sent Son of God.

the next day ( day 3 of the week) John was with 2 of his disciples and he looks up and sees Jesus again walking towards him and once again he declares Jesus as the Lamb of God!

the two disciples with John the Baptist who heard him declare jesus as the Messiah were Andrew and John after they heard ,they Follow Jesus and and they sat and learned from Jesus and then they went and brought others to Jesus.then

the next day ( day 4) vs 43 Jesus went to Galilee and and He found Philip and said to him “follow me. “ Phillip followed jesus learned from jesus and then went and brought Nathaniel to Jesus.

So here we have Jesus - with most likely 5 disciples now following him - Andrew, Peter, John, Philip and Nathaniel.

and Now our story picks up in chapter 2 which begins “on the Third day”

We are now in the 7th day of Jesus’s ministry and he and his disciples went with Jesus mother to a wedding celebration.

The Story: The Wedding at Cana- Water into Wine

John 2:1-12 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 brothers2 and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Big Idea: Jesus is the answer for Man’s Dilemma

Transition; today we are going to look at the first of the many miracles jesus did during His 3 years of ministry before His death on the cross.

I believe that as we look at this miracle we will see that it sets a pattern that is true about all of the miracles Jesus performed.

this morning we are going to look at the.....

The 4 Aspects of Jesus’s Miracles

lets jump into our text together

Man’s Physical Dilemma (v1-3a)

text John 2:1-3 “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.””

Commentary- Here we see that Jesus was at a wedding as a guest. he was here to celebrate a joyous occasion. and His mother, Mary comes to him and says we have runout of wine.

A Jewish Wedding- was much different than today

A few weeks ago many of us showed up at Faith Baptist in Mason City at 3pm for a 4pm Wedding. and we were home by 8 pm. thats a typical wedding here in our culture.

Jewish weddings were a celebration that could last up to a week long .

The financial responsibility for this celebration was the grooms family.

To run out of supplies would be shameful disgace to the family. In so much , that history tells us that they could be liable in a lawsuit from grieved guest and the brides family.

Here we are in our story and the grooms family has just run out of wine.

apparently Mary must be related somehow to the grooms family, because this was a great concern of hers. She was trying to save the grooms family from disgrace.

Mary brought a dilemma to Jesus- They were out of wine, and there was nothing they could do to fix the problem.

Mary’s Response to the Problem was to go to her son Jesus.

Why did Mary go to Jesus for a solution?

Some would say that she was looking for Jesus to do a miracle- but in verse 11 we will see that this was the first of Jesus’ miracles so she had no expectation for this from Him.

Some scholars would say that she was just passing on the bad news to Jesus, letting Him know that they was no more wine to be drank,

But in verse 5 we will see that she told the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. She expected Jesus to do something to help out the situation.

I believe that Mary went to jJesus because she was use to relying on Him for provisions.

Joseph the father of Jesus was not mentioned after the story of Jesus when he was 12 years old. So scholars believe that Mary would have already been a widow at this time. and like any widow Mary leaned on her 1st born son to help take care of her.

She was coming to Her son Jesus saying what should we do about our dilemma.

She wasn’t telling jesus what to do - she simple shared her concerns with her son

Transition: notice Christ Response to Mary’s dilemma.

Christ's Supernatural Solution v. 3b-8)

vs “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.

Commentary:

Jesus Begins by addressing his mother as Woman

I can guarantee to you that as a kid if my mother would have come to me and asked me to do something and my response was “Woman" Why are you telling me to do this? I would not be alive to preach this message to you today. My dad would have knocked me into the next century!

Jesus ‘ response to his mother was not disrespectful. Culturally we don’t have an english word that completely describes this title. The closest we have is what kids would call their moms in South

When a southern lady tells her kids to come and help her get something done. their response would be What?

Yes Ma’am!

Ma’am is a respectful way of addressing a women

Jesus used this same term for his mother while he was hanging on the cross in John 19:26 “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!””

Ma’am here is your son.

So Jesus is politely responses to his mother with “what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

Jesus is saying mom, why are you getting me involved in this matter? Im am no longer on a human time table but am woking in Heavenly time

When Jesus said to Mary “My hour has not yet come”

He was making it clear to his earthly mother that he was no longer under her supervision but that from now on he would be doing the will of His father in heaven.

What hour was Jesus speaking of? We see the answer in John 17:1 Right before Jesus is betrayed Jesus is with his disciples in the garden and it says “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,”

Jesus in our passage in John 2 saying mom I am no longer your son bound by earthly time and concerns, but I am now your Messiah, bound by heavenly time and concerns.

I believe this would have been difficult for Mary to hear as a widowed mother.

Mary gave birth to this little baby boy, she nursed him, cuddled, taught him, watched him take his first steps, and was there as He grow up to become a man.

She knew His divine purpose but she was still his mother and he was her first born son.

But now as he has begun his ministry as the lamb of God , everything, even family ties , had to take a second chair seat to his divine mission.

She could no longer view him as just her son, but now needed to view him has her Messiah. and like everyone else, she would have to choose to come to him as the promised messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World.

Look at how...

Mary responds to jesus words.

His mother said to the servants, “do whatever he tells you”

with this statement we see Mary trusting Jesus to do what was right.

Do whatever he commands. Mary didn’t try to solve the dilemma she just gave it to jesus and He is the one who took command and solved the problem.

Look with me at ...

Jesus’s solution to the Dilemma.

John 2:6-8 “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.”

Remember Mary came to Jesus and said we need more wine

Jesus sent the servants down to the towns well with 6 stone pots and the story tells us that they brought them back full of water.

Jesus tells the servants to fill a cup from the pots and give it to the master of the feast.

when the master of the feast took a big drink from the cup it was no longer water but wine.

Jesus had met the need of the people but he did it in a way that no one would have ever thought Possible,

Christ gave a supernatural solution to man’s physical problem.

Trans; look with me at the response of the master of the feast.

John 2:9-10 “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.””

Man’s Intellectual Response (vs 9-10)

Do you see man’s intellectual response to God’s supernatural solution?

the servants brought a cup of the water to the master- He was probably the head waiter- the one in charge of the meals. When the master tasted the wine he was blown away., so much that he went to the groom and said” what is going on here?”

“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then they bring out the extra wine. the poor wine- the cheap stuff you keep on hand at wedding just in case you didnt order enough of the good stuff to last for the whole celebration.

. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

HE was saying this wine is superior to what came before it.

He tried to find a logical explanation as to what had just happened.

But notice what our text tells us was Christ’s Eternal Purpose in this Miracle.

Christ Eternal Purpose (11-12)

Text: 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Jesus gives us his 2 part purpose for his miracles-

to manefest HIs glory to mankind

So that people will believe in Him as God.

two Questions we want to answer this morning as we look at the purpose of Jesus’s Miracles

Why did Jesus use Miracles on His ministry?

Fact: did you know there are 37 Miracles recorded throughout the 4 gospels.

EVERYONE OF THESE MIRACLES HAS THE SAME PURPOSE - TO MANIFEST CHRIST GLORY AND SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM.

To bring glory to God John 2:11 - water into wine

So the people would believe on Him John 2:11 water into wine

Other things that were accomplished through the miracles of jesus were

He did them .....

to prove He was the Messaiah John 5:36- mircles prove Jesus came to do the work of the father

Because He loved people Matt. 8:30 - the man with leprosy

To relieve suffering Matt. 8:5-13 centurians servant

To display His Deity Luke 7 raising the son of the widow

The miracles of Christ are His supernatural solution to man’s natural problems, so that man would believe in Christ eternal purpose

So why was Jesus’s 1st miracle so insignificant compared to all the others mentioned in scripture?

Why was the first miracle an “insignificant one?”

THE PURPOSE IN A NUTSHELL: v. 11-12) to manifest his glory so that his DISCIPLES WOULD BELIEVE.

He performed this miraculous thing so that these 5 men would put their complete faith in him.

He was preparing them for the ministry ahead.

Although this miracle seems insignificant because only 12 people probably knew what had actually happened it is packed full of spiritual truths for us to see as the Redeemed church of God.

Symbolism of a Ministry of Joy-

throughout the OT wine was a symbol of joy for the children of God

Psalm 104:14-15 “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

God gave Israel wine to bring them Joy - God is the source of Joy for his children

John 16:22 “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Wine was Symbol of joy in Israel and the miraculous ministry of Jesus began by giving joy to the people.

Symbolism to the OT Beginnings

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Christ Redemptive story began with creation.

and Now Christ earthly ministry Begins with Creation

He created wine out of water.

Christ gives Approval of the marriage relationship –

He would not marry but approved of marriage. The first thing God did after creation was a marriage.

Jesus by being part of the wedding celebration gave his stamp of approval on marriage.

He was there to celebrate the union of a man and a women whom he knew

Jesus had Desire to be with People and where people were at.

– Jesus was not a hermit. He did not live separately from the world around him, but he actively participated in the culture and the festivities of his time.

He did stuff in his community!

Jesus begins with the poor –

I this first demonstration of his deity Jesus made it very clear that he had not come to seek fame and fortune. he did not come to be a king or to only be around nobility. He came and began his ministry with the poor.

We see this in that it seems to be a wedding of the poor.

No wealthy person would have ever run out of wine, because it was a symbol of their wealth.

jesus was at wedding with people who probably were not that well off.

He began his ministry with the poor of this world not the wealthy

Jesus Began His ministry at home –

He was in his home region, people knew him there- They called him Jesus the son of Joseph.

this reflects His command to his followers in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Christ ‘s ministry was rooted in disciple making

– He wanted to build his ministry from the ground up.

He was making disciples who would make disciples.

He was investing the few, so that they could invest in the masses.

the disciple making process begins at home, and then our community, and then our state, and then our country and then the world.

Jesus was giving us a model of true discipleship from the very beginning of his ministry that would continue until his ascension in acts chapter 1

Bring it Home

Christ did the impossible He created something that no one could do - He took simple water and turned into the best wine anyone had tasted,

This insignificant work had such a significant meaning behind it. Although only a few even knew what had taken place- those few saw the significance and responded with belief.

Jesus offered a supernatural solution to mans’ natural dilemma so that man could see his eternal purpose.

The miracles of jesus were so that those who experienced God’s supernatural ability would believe in His eternal plan.

Today- we aren't that much different then the people with a dilemma at the wedding in Cana.

We may not have a physical need , but Romans 3 tells us that we have a deep spiritual dilemma: Listen to the words of Romans 3 as it describes our spiritual dilemma

Romans 3:9-23 “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [all mankind has this dilemma- we are all under sin]

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Mankind is desperately wicked we are rotten to the core. and verse 23 makes it very clear that we have fallen short of Gods demand for perfection our lives.

Put simple it is impossible for you to ever be good enough on your own to gain Gods favor in your life.

Our dilemma is that we are naturally depraved- we are completely filled with sin, there is no good in us as mankind. thats who we naturally are.

Just as Christ offered a supernatural solution to the people who ran out of wine at the wedding , Christ offers us a supernatural solution to our spiritual depravity.

Romans 3:24-25 and [we] are justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation [ a substitute in our place] by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness,” to us.

Jesus is the solution to our delemma - Our sin debt is greater than any one of us could ever pay- in fact the Bible says it would take an eternity seperated from Goid in hell to pay your debt of sin in full.

But God in his great love for us provided Jesus as the substitute solution- He came to earth- he lived perfectly so that he could pay your debt in full.

We are justified by God’s grace-

Justified means just as if I had never sinned

Grace- means God gives freely us what we don’t deserve

We receive the gift of justification through Gods gift of grace.

what did God give us that we didn't deserve?

Jesus -

and we can have redemption through Jesus alone.

in order to be right with God- Just as if you have never sinned it can only come through belief in jesus.

Just like the people in Cana We must respond to God’s supernatural solution for our natural dilemma

Acts 16:31 gives us what response is required for salvation

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”

The Bible tells us that when we believe in Jesus God gives us a new eternal purpose

Jesus said in John 5:24

John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

Belief in Christ alone for salvation must be our response

When you trust Christ for salvation You now have an eternal position that can never be changed or taken away.

John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

When you accept Christ your eternal destiny is secured in the unchanging, un faltering hands of God, and there is nothing that could separate you from His love.

Close : as we close our time together this morning I want to ask you this simple question.

If you were to die today, and stand before the righteous God and he asked you why should i let you a sinner into my perfect heaven ? What would your answer be?”

This is your spiritual dilemma- you sinfulness could never be good enough to be accepted as perfection and this is why we all need Jesus to do a miraculous work in our lives.

If your not sure if your answer would be acceptable to God I would love to meet and talk with you today so that you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are eternally secure in Heaven.