"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

The Water Turned To Wine (2:1-12)

INTRODUCTION
  1. John's purpose in his gospel was to produce faith - Jn 20:30-31
    1. Which he sought to accomplish by recording the "signs" done by Jesus
    2. Not all of them, but enough to produce faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God
  2. The "signs" Jesus performed were miracles...
    1. Expressions of supernatural, divine power
    2. Designed to attest His unique relationship with God - cf. Ac 2:22

[The first sign recorded by John took place shortly after Jesus had acquired His first disciples...]

  1. THE SETTING
    1. IN CANA OF GALILEE...
      1. On the third day - Jn 2:1
        1. The third day after Jesus made two more disciples (Hendriksen)
        2. Taking two days to reach Galilee from Judea (JFB)
      2. In the city of Cana - Jn 2:1
        1. Cana was about 4 miles NE of Nazareth, and SW of the Sea of Galilee
        2. Jesus had wanted to go to Galilee - cf. Jn 1:43
        3. Nathanael was from the city of Cana - cf. Jn 21:2
    2. AT A WEDDING FEAST...
      1. The mother of Jesus was there - Jn 2:1
      2. Likewise Jesus and His disciples, who had been invited - Jn 2:2
        1. Jesus and His disciples were not ascetics - cf. Mt 9:14
        2. He came eating and drinking - cf. Mt 11:19
    3. WHERE THE WINE HAD RUN OUT...
      1. As noted by the mother of Jesus - Jn 2:3
        1. She appears to have some role of responsibility and authority - cf. Jn 2:5
        2. The invitation to Jesus and His disciples may have been a last minute thing
        3. Running out of wine would have been an embarrassment to Mary, if she were in charge
        4. She tells Jesus; perhaps hinting a request? (RWP)
      2. Jesus responds to His mother - Jn 2:4
        1. "Woman"
          1. Not a term of disrespect in those days - cf. Jn 19:26; 20:15
          2. Though a subtle hint may be implied by its use instead of "Mother" that their relationship of mother and son was changing
        2. "What does your concern have to do with Me?"
          1. Perhaps a mild rebuke for her anxiety
          2. Perhaps too much like Martha? - cf. Lk 10:41
        3. "My hour has not yet come."
          1. This suggests that Mary's request was more than just a desire for a gift of wine
          2. Perhaps she wanted a supreme manifestation of Him as the Messiah
          3. That event would come later, with His death and resurrection - cf. Jn 2:18-19; 12:23,27; 17:1
          4. His mother sought for a supreme sign, but at that time only a secondary sign could be fittingly given
          5. I.e., the triumph at Pentecost was not to be achieved at Cana (McGarvey)

          [Despite the subtle rebuke, Mary evidently sense a willingness on Jesus' part to do something. So she instructed the servants to do whatever He says (cf. Jn 2:5). This leads us to...]

  2. THE MIRACLE
    1. THE WATER TURNED TO WINE...
      1. Beginning with six empty water pots - Jn 2:6
        1. Normally used for the Jewish rituals of purification - cf. Mk 7:3-4
        2. Capable of holding twenty or thirty gallons (two or three firkins, KJV) each
      2. Filled with water - Jn 2:7
        1. As instructed by Jesus
        2. Filled to the brim
      3. A sample drawn and taken to the master of the feast - Jn 2:8
        1. As instructed by Jesus
        2. Carried out by the servants
        3. Apparently what was drawn was still water; it became wine before reaching the guests - cf. Jn 2:9
    2. THE IMPACT ON THOSE PRESENT...
      1. Upon the master of the feast - Jn 2:9-10
        1. He tasted the water that was made wine
        2. Not knowing where it came from, he called the bridegroom
        3. Telling him that he kept the good wine for last, contrary to normal custom
      2. Upon the disciples of Jesus - Jn 2:11
        1. It was the beginning of signs Jesus did in Galilee - cf. Jn 4:54
        2. In which Jesus manifested His glory - cf. Jn 1:14
        3. Their faith in Jesus was even more strengthened
    3. THE IMPACT ON US TODAY...
      1. It should not be to justify the custom of social drinking
        1. The word "oinos" can refer to fermented wine, but not necessarily
        2. Alcoholic drinks today are much stronger than those in Bible times
        3. The Bible is filled with the dangers of drinking - cf. Pro 20:1; 23:29-35
        4. We do well to consider the influence of our example - cf. Ro 14:21; 1Co 10:31-33
      2. This miracle of turning water to wine reveals Jesus as:
        1. One who honors the bond of marriage by His presence at the wedding
        2. One who bestows His gifts lavishly; if in the physical realm, how much more in the spiritual?
        3. One whose infinite love is made effective by His equally infinite power
        4. One who, accordingly, is the Son of God, full of grace and glory
        -- William Hendricksen, New Testament Commentary
CONCLUSION
  1. After this miracle in Cana, Jesus went down to Capernaum - Jn 2:12
    1. Capernaum, a city on the northwestern shore of Galilee, visited frequently by Jesus
    2. Together with His mother, His brothers (cf. Mt 13:55), and His disciples
    3. Though they did not stay many days - cf. Jn 2:13
  2. The disciples of Jesus must have been excited...
    1. They had heard the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus
    2. They had borne their own initial testimony as to Jesus
    3. Now they had seen this "sign" that Jesus was truly what they believed Him to be!

More signs to come would increase their faith in Jesus. They can have a similar affect in us as we continue to read and study the gospel according to John...