Lesson 2 - Jesus - Giver of Blessings

I don't know if you notice but our passage begins with an interesting clause, "And the third day" If I am understanding John's chronology correctly the first day found in Chapter 1 John the Baptist confronts the Jewish delegation from Jerusalem. The Second Day John 1:29 - The Next day John identifies Jesus for the first time as the "Lamb of God" The Third day John 1:35 Again the next day two unnamed disciples of John the Baptist some say Andrew and very likely John begin to follow Jesus. The Fourth day John 1:43 was Philip and his brother. The Fifth day was spent traveling. The Sixth day John 2:1 Jesus and his disciples arrived in Cana and invited to the wedding.

This is also the beginning or introduction to the second main section in the Gospel of John, some have called it, "The Book of Christ's Signs."

This was the beginning of miracles - or the first recorded miracle of Jesus. Or the Greek says, "Miraculous signs" meaning that the miracle or sign conveys a deeper teaching. "It is noteworthy that Jesus’ first miracle (2: 1– 11), like his last (11: 1– 3, 43– 44), took place within the circle of family life (Plummer 89)."1

What is the Mishna???

According to the Mishnah the wedding would take place on a Wednesday If the bride was a virgin and on a Thursday if she was a widow (Ket. 1:1). The bridegroom and his friends made their way in procession to the bride's house. This was often done at night, when there could be a spectacular torchlight procession. There were doubtless speeches and expressions of goodwill before the bride and groom went In procession to the groom's house, where the wedding banquet was held. It's probable that there was a religious ceremony, but we have no details. The processions and the feast are the principal Items of which we have knowledge. The feast was prolonged, and might last as long as a week. The wedding according to tradition, was considered to be the most grand event in life, especially among the poor. After the wedding ceremony the Bride and groom would be taken to their home with a torchlit parade. They would sometimes be given crowns and dressed in bridal robes and treated as kings and queens.

In this particular wedding Mary (who was already there and also remains unnamed) was obviously more than just an attendee, perhaps this was a relative or close friend she seems to have some role in the marriage.

It would appear that when she heard Jesus and the disciples were there she called or had them called to the wedding. No doubt it had been in progress for several days already. When they arrived as was the custom they wanted to join in the festivities and in this instance asked for wine - I will not take the time in this discussion but I have in the past explained that more than likely this was not an intoxicating wine -

When they asked for something to drink, Mary responds - in verse 3 "They have no wine." There must have been more in Mary's response than just information, it seems that Mothers have a way of saying something and conveying a whole lot more. They have a distinct way of talking with their eyes and hands and facial expressions and can send certain vibes that it's almost scary, like they have mastered a form of mental telepathy or something - My mother was an expert at it. My mother-in-law is pretty good too. She has a way of telling Angie that Dad's birthday is coming up - She means more than just, "by the way…" She means go do something about it. We have no record of Mary asking Jesus to do anything - she just informs him that the family was out of wine.

I want to make sure we are clear, they were not running low on wine - something to drink - they were out, completely out or as one translator put it "the supply of wine ran out not ran short."

Wine was an important part of Jewish weddings, in fact It would be safe to say it was essential, not to the excess, but it was a symbol of joy and celebration. One could be sued in the court of law for not providing wine at a wedding feast. This couple and family were in a real fix. There must have been some secrecy and behind the scenes working as it seems no one but the few involved knew anything about the incident, but Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus asked them to do .

Jesus goes to the servants and tells them to fill up the water pots (with Water of course) - these were two or three firkens apiece. Verse 6 says these vessels were for cleansing or purification, hand washing and such - this was confirmed by writings in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Each waterpot would have held about thirty gallons - we are talking about a lot of wine - and astounding 180 gallons. No doubt this wine was given to the couple as a gift - this would have been like money and provided them income for a long time.

When the wine was taken to the one in charge - he was so impressed and amazed that they would bring out the best wine at the end.

This sign points to Jesus as the Messiah - the Giver of Blessings - the One who blesses and provides. I think John was making several statements about Jesus in this passage.

Jesus is or wants to be involved in our daily lives. This was a life event. Jesus likes to be involved in and attend life events.

I grew up praying a prayer for lunch we would go all around to us children and take our turns I have been trying to pass that prayer on to my Children. - Come Lord Jesus, Be our guest - Let this food to us be blest - Amen. The prayer is that Jesus would be involved even in the eating of food - the nourishing of the body - the taking in of life giving sustenance. Oh How Jesus wants to be in our life events. How do we know that Jesus is involved in our life events? One way to know is the miraculous meeting of needs. The empty wine bottle being replaced with the over abundant 180 gallons of water to wine. The empty to overflowing, the gone and out to full and running over. How about you? Where do you need Jesus in your life? Relationships? Finances? Physical issues? Family? Maybe Secret addictions? Fear? Let Jesus interrupt your status quo your daily life events your just getting by, with His Saving the best for last.

1 Harris, Murray J. (2015-10-15). John (Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament) (Kindle Locations 2374-2375). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.