The First Miracle

We all want it, proof. Show we the proof, the evidence so I can evaluate it and draw a conclusion. Our passage this morning is where from the claim offered by John the Baptist to the proof of the claim starting to be offered.

Purpose of the gospel to give proof of Jesus and what belief in Him results (Jn20:30-31)

John 20:30–31 ESV

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

As noted in this passage there were many other signs, but the purpose of these signs, the ones listed in Gospel of John were to produce believe and by believe life in the One in whom you believe.

Signs: can be translated as miracles meaning expressions of supernatural, divine power. Designed to attest His unique relationship with God as noted in Act2:22 “22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—”

Interesting fact, Jn2:1 says “On the third day” so, this has to be on the third day after his calling of Nathaniel. Now add to that since that was on the forth day of the week,

Day one - the questioning of John the Baptizer (Jn1:19)

Day two - The identifying Jesus as the lamb of God (Jn1:29)

Day three - The proclaiming Jesus (Jn1:35)

Day four - the calling of the first disciples (Jn1:43)

So if this is three days later this is the seventh day, God has been announcing something new, in this week. From this point on you will see Jesus is following God’s time schedule not man’s.

Another interesting custom, fact is that according to Jewish tradition that virgins would marry on a Wednesday and Widow’s on a Thursday, with it being the seventh day of the new thing, you would think it would be a day of rest, but sin demanded attention and Jesus needed to act. Jesus did other signs on the Sabbath (day of rest) also, we will see those as we work our way through this purpose book that is to bring belief.

This evening we are going to look at these things, hopefully:

The setting (Jn2:1-5)

The miracle/sign (Jn2:6-11)

The results, purpose (Jn2:11)

In our passage today you will see Jesus has three roles too, Jesus the guest, Jesus the son, Jesus the host too, but first we need to look and glean from the passage, we will only do it section at a time.

The Setting

The start of Jesus “so that” was to bring belief. This evening we will see the first of the “so that” miracles to bring glory to God and bring belief.

John 2:1–2 NASB95

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

John 2:3–4 NASB95

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 that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

John 2:5 NASB95

5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

What do you see, what details stick out to you in this section?

Gleaning from the text:

(insert gleaning from the text PowerPoint here)

Where is the setting of this passage (v.1)?

Galilee was about 2.5 day journey (about 70 mi) from Judea where Jesus was.

Cana of Galilee is about 4mi NE of Nazareth where Jesus grew up

How did Jesus and the disciples come to be there(v.2)?

They were invited, we also can know that Nathaniel was from Cana (Jn21:2 “2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.”

The people with Jesus are his mother, and the six disciples, Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip and Nathanael.

We know that Jesus wanted to go to Galilee (1:43). The reason was yet to be revealed.

What is the problem identified and by whom (v.3)?

Mary came to Jesus and said they had run out of wine.

I will come back to discuss more things in this in a few.

How did Jesus address His mother in (v.4)?

“Woman” what does this have to do with Me?

Keep that word, Woman in mind and we will circle back to that in a few too

By Mary’s response to the servants what can we know (v.5)?

She had some authority and some faith. She informed them to do what he says.

In a wedding there are participants: The bride, the groom and the preacher, inviting God to attend. Well in this wedding God was in attendance. God had a literal invitation to the wedding. Remember he has already been identified as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (1:29, 36) and the Son of God the king of Israel (1:49)

Wedding culture

Insert Some Notable facts PowerPoint Here - leave up

The normal time frame from Engagement to wedding ceremony was typically about a year. In the year they were considered married, but not blessed and joined as husband and wife yet. In the year there was lots of preparation to be done. The groom would build a house and be sure had a living so to support the wife. Then when the wedding ceremony time came it was a major celebration that lasted for days and everyone would attend.

Jesus coming to the wedding proved he was not a recluse, not like John the Baptist who lived in the wilderness (Mt11:16-19) who did not come eating and drinking yet they said he had a demon.

By Jesus attendance, by Jesus miracles this would be used against Him being accused of being a glutton and and drunkard.

Jesus came into life, experience life and sanctified the experiences by His presence. Maybe it was Nathaniel who said they would be smart to invite him?

In a wedding at that time it would be a colossal mistake to run out of food and wine for you had a year to plan and prepare. The running out of wine would be a great embarrassment to the groom and if Many was one with authority there to her, hence why she went to Jesus.

There is a changing relationship between Mary and Jesus, from mother whom he obeyed; now he is bringing himself under the Fathers authority and Mary knows it.

His response “woman” was not a term of disrespect at all, but it shows the changing relationship from Mother to woman.

There is a changing timetable now. Before he would hear his mom and do what she said. He learned through obedience. Now He says “my hour has not come.” is this referencing the D,B & R? or just a change that he will do things as the Father directs when the Father directs now.

A changing acceptance of outcome. By Mary’s response to the servants in (v.5) she was OK with whatever Jesus did or did not do. She believed that He had compassion and care and would do something.

(Transition) despite the gentle rebuke, Mary knew, had faith that Jesus would do something. She knew the change that had been transpiring and this was an acknowledging the change and the authority of Jesus. This led to the miracle

The Miracle

Scripture in our passage tells us this is the beginning of the signs (v.11). So let’s look at the sign and what can we learn from it.

John 2:6–7 NASB95

6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.

John 2:8–9 NASB95

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,

John 2:10–11 NASB95

10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?

(Insert gleaning from the scripture PowerPoint again)

How many water pots, and what were the normal function for them (v.6)?

So six pots, they were used for purification customs.

People would wash hands on way in and way out of someones house and feet on way in.

What is Jesus instructions to the servants and exactly what did they do (v.7)?

Fill them with water,

And they filled them to the brim.

What were they told to do (v.8)?

Draw out some and take to the head waiter

Who knew of the miracle (v.9)?

The servants knew

Who got the credit (v.10)

The groom did!

Now, why was the miracle done and what were the results (v.11)?

It was done to manifest His glory and the results were the disciples believed in Him.

More things we can know

This was a big miracle that impacted many, even though they did not know it.

Scripture mentions purification, here is a scripture reference

Mark 7:3–4 NASB95

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.)

The waterpots were filled to the brim (v.7) so there was no way there could be any deception.

The water turned to wine when it was drawn and given (v.8)

It impacted the disciples (v.11) and the servants (v.9)

So, what about impact on us today?

Does this passage promote social drinking?

We know that there are many passages that talk about not being drunk.

Pro20:1 “1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.”

or consider

Eph5:18 “18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”

Now when translating the word wine “oinos” it could mean fermented or unfermented wine. So it may not be alcoholic at all. Also, the wine in those days were not as strong as the alcohol todayl

This miracle displays the significance of marriage

Jesus, via the Father, used the first sign at a wedding, at a marriage by his presence there

This miracle demonstrates the abundance of God’s blessings above what we ask or think.

6 pots at minimum of 20 gallons each, that is 120 gallons as drawn out would be wine. God is exceedingly abundantly more. Offers more to those who draw to Him.

John 2:11 NKJV

11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

THis is just as said

John 1:14 NASB95

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

A manifestation of the glory! This sign was more than saving face for the groom, or for Mary. This sign pointed beyond the physical sign (water to wine) to the spiritual to manifest the glory of God in Christ the Son and to fulfill the purpose of the gospel, to bring belief.

Jesus did not preach a sermon here when the sign was done. He oftentimes works quietly in the heart of man, unable to be seen in the physical realm until it has been manifested in the spiritual (the unseen things, the intents of the heart)

If Jesus had preached a sermon it may have been a sermon outlined like this.

While wine is a symbol of joy (Jud9:13; Ps104:15) our joy needs to be in the Lord

The world offers the best at first, then trades out for something else, but the Lord gives the best from start to finish.

To the nation of Israel who trusted in the traditions and ways of man, ceramonial washings, etc. Could not cleanse the heart of man, only God could do that.

God brought true joy, fullness where there was emptiness in the running out of wine.

And, finally with the mention of the 3rd day, he could have referenced to the Son of man rising on the third day.

Just some food for thought. This sign demanded participation, cooperation and that is what the servants did and the water turned to wine. Are you participating, engaging in what God has called you to do?