John 2:1-12 Wedding at Cana

Introduction

This week, Lord willing , I will leave for Alaska. When I get to the airport, I will need to go through security and show MY ID. Then when I get to the airport gate I will need to show MY AIRLINE TICKET. When I get to Vancouver, in order to get off the plane, I will need to show MY PASSPORT. Then, when I get to the boat I will need to show MY BOAT TICKET, MY ID, AND MY PASSPORT. Once we are on the Boat, in order to buy anything, attend events, or order drinks, I have MY MEDALION that I will wear around my neck that has all my information and payment information. THEN when I go to get on the train, I will need to show my info.

No one can just walk into any of these places and say they are me.

I showed

My ID

My Airline Ticket

My Passport

My personal info

My Medallion

All of which in order to show that I am who I say I am

Today we begin the first of seven signs. John specifically chose these signs in order to show the Jesus was the son of God, the Messiah that was prophesied from the beginning.

Notice that John uses the word sign, or semion in Greek. He doesnt use the word miracle.

It isnt that these werent miraculous poewrful events. But that wasnt the purpose of the book of John. This sign or miracle specifically was probab;y only witnessed by John. Matthew had not yet been called as a disciple so the synoptic gospels do not have this first miracle recorded.

John did not call them miracles because these were indeed signs to show that Jesus was the greater moses. The one to set both Jew and gentile free by the Grace of God. Moses turned the merky water in egypt into blood to set all Israel free and so that all that saw it would believe. Today we look at the sign of the water into wine and Jesus turns the cleansing water into the greatest wine one could ever taste and the disciples looked and they believed.

The New International Version Chapter 2

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there

The phrase on the third day has been debated but most scholars place this as meaning three days after the last event or the calling of Nathaniel. This places us at 7 days. JTB and then JTB sees Jesus, TThe disciples folow Jesus he calls nathaniel, and three days travel to Cana. This is a small town and is believed to be aabout 9 miles north of Nazareth. It is non existent to this day and seemingly an insignificant place.

A traditional oriental wedding would last 7 days at the grooms father’s house BEFORE the consumation of the wedding........

This was a feast and fantastic party. You would use this opportunity to show who you were. You would spend insane amounts of money.

This is a shame culture in which if you are shamed or embarrased it was a blacklist for your family.

Jesus mother (Mary) not named by John at any point. She was closer to him than anyone but most likely to seperate her from other marys in the gospel stories.

So that is the setting at this wedding where Jesus is at with his few disciples and mother.

The New International Version Chapter 2

2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, x why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

There is no more wine. The shame this would have brought.

We can relate a bit in the south. You always have food out when people come

Party with a half slice of pizza

WIITHOUT JESUS WE ARE LIKE A PARTY WITH NO WINE. AN EMBARRASMENT AND A LIFE OF SHAME.

When Jesus adresses mary Woman, it is not like the south. It is not a term of disrespect. It should not be confused as a term of endearment. Rather it is a direct call like dear woman or woman dear. Mother dearest.

The NIV has the best interpretation of the greek when Jesus says, why do involve me? Jesus was not asking what he was suppose to do. He was not saying this is none of my business. But this was a gentle rebuke. It is followed by saying His hour hasnt come.

The hour refered to was his death and glorification.

He was not responsible to his mothers commands but yet his will was to do the will of the father. Just as when He was 12.

This wasnt a simple party trick.

The New International Version Chapter 2

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Mary in faith in her son

Ceremonial cleansing this was the old way represented.

Jesus fills IN ABUNDANCE more than needed. 180 gallons of wine.

JEsus came and brought a new way and a new life and did so in abundance.

You can wash all you want but unless you drink of the cup of Jesus you wlll never be clean.

The New International Version Chapter 2

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

This was good wine. yes wine that is alcoholic. Some wine they would drink was diluted and some wasnt. clearly this was good wine

The best is now

God saved the best for last

The New International Version Chapter 2

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

They believed in him. they did not know all that he would do but they believed in His power and that this was truly the messiah

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