John 2:1-11
June 18, 1995
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Introduction
We have been following the scenario of several consecutive days, that took place after Jesus' baptism and probably His tempting in the desert as well, starting in John 1:
On the first day, John the Baptist was quizzed by the Pharisees as to who he was. (1:19-28)
The second day, Jesus showed up, and John pointed him out as "the Lamb of God". (1:29-34)
The third day, John pointed out Jesus again, and this time two of John's disciples followed after Jesus. (1:35-42)
The fourth day, now in Galilee, Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
:1-11 Water to wine
:1-2 ... read
:1 the third day
The third day since they made their way into Galilee (1:43).
It has now been seven days since 1:19.
:1 a marriage
A typical Jewish wedding:
It took time.
It wasn't just a short 20 minute ceremony.
It was also a long time of celebration, often for a week long.
It was public.
Some people today talk about "being married before God" and not bothering with a public ceremony.
But to the Jews, it was never a private thing.
There had to be at least 10 men at the wedding to participate in the blessing of the bridegroom
The Jewish rabbis taught:
``they do not bless the blessing of bridegrooms, but with ten principal and free men; and the bridegroom may be one of the number.''
A Jewish wedding was a public committment between two people.
Jesus and his disciples would have been at least 6 of the ten required.
:1 Cana of Galilee
As we mentioned last week, this is the hometown of Nathanael, the skeptical disciple who said "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (1:46).
It is 14 miles due west of the sea of Galilee, and 8 miles due north of Nazareth.
:1 the mother of Jesus was there
It is thought by the way that Mary acts, that she might have been related somehow to the bride or groom.
Joseph is never mentioned during the ministry of Jesus. It is thought that he had died by this time.
:2 both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage
It's always a good idea to invite Jesus to your wedding.
:2 his disciples
Right now there are only five of them: John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael.
:3-4 ... read
:3 they wanted wine
or, they were running out of wine.
:3 "they have no wine"
You can tell by Jesus' response to her that she is implying that Jesus should do something about the situation.
It's kind of one of those nagging reminders to do something about it.
:4 Woman, ...
Take note, those of you from Catholic backgrounds, of how Jesus treats Mary.
On one hand ...
The word Jesus uses for "woman" isn't one that's meant to demean her, like "hey old lady, leave me alone".
Jesus does use the word in a more kinder manner from the cross:
»John 19:26-AV When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
On the other hand ...
It isn't quite like calling her "mother" either.
"As much as to say," says Augustine, "thou art not the mother of that in me which worketh miracles."
:4 what have I to do with thee?
or, "what does your concern have to do with me?"
»John 2:4-NRSV ... what concern is that to you and to me?
This expression is used frequently in the Scriptures and invariably indicates a mild rebuke.
(1Ki 17:18 2Ki 3:13 2Ch 35:21 Mt 8:29 Mr 1:24 5:7 Lu 4:34 8:28 )
It means "leave me to act as I please," and Jesus uses it to assert that he is independent of all human relationships in the exercise of his Messiahship.
Lesson:
Two corrrections to Catholic theology:
(1) Catholicism says that Mary was sinless
If this were true she could not have been rebuked by Jesus.
(2) Catholicism teaches that Mary has connections with Jesus, so pray to her.
After all, she is His mother. He can't refuse His mother, can He?
This is the only place where we see Mary asking Jesus for anything, and notice how He responds to her.
:4 mine hour is not yet come
I believe that Jesus is talking about making a big splash to draw attention to Himself and making it plain to the world that He was the Messiah.
I think the sense of this can be seen in a later passage:
»John 7:2-10 AV Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For [there is] no man [that] doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode [still] in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
In other words, "let's not make a big show about it and draw a lot of attention because it's not time for that yet."
And the way that Jesus is going to handle it, only his mom, the disciples, and the servants seem to be aware of what is happening.
Lesson:
Good works can be done quietly
People should be able to see your good works, but in a way that brings glory to God and not to us.
»Matthew 5:16-AV Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We shouldn't be doing good works just to get people's attention.
»Matthew 6:1-AV Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Illustration
The story goes that one time when Bill Moyers was a special assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, he was asked to say grace before a meal in the family quarters of the White House. As Moyers began praying softly, the President interrupted him with "Speak up, Bill! Speak up!"
The former minister from east Texas stopped in mid-sentence and without looking up replied steadily, "I wasn't addressing you, Mr. President."
-- The Anglican Digest, Early Pentecost A.D. 1989
We need to keep our focus in the right place when we're doing good works.
Our focus shouldn't be on the people, or trying to get noticed.
Our focus should be on serving the Lord and honoring Him.
If someone stops and says thank you, that's fine, but that's not what we're doing it for.
:5 ... read
:5 Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Apparently, though she had received a mild rebuke from Jesus, Mary must have sensed that Jesus was still going to do something.
And so she puts the whole thing into Jesus' hands.
She's going to let Him do whatever He wants, in the manner He wants.
Note: To those who want to follow the Catholic idea of following Mary more than following Jesus.
She gives some good advice here - Listen to what Jesus says, and do it.
This is a good verse to read to Catholics who are deeply into Mary worship.
:6-8 ... read
:6 six waterpots of stone ... the purifying ...
These were waterpots used for the Jewish purification rites before and after meals.
The Jews regarded themselves ceremonially unclean if they did not wash both before and after eating.
These waterpots were not used for drinking water, in fact it would be disgusting to a Jew to drink water from a waterpot of this kind.
Jesus isn't picking these pots because they were necessarily appropriate for drinking water, but just because they would provide a large supply of water.
It would be kind of like saying, "Take those six trash cans over there and fill them up with water."
:6 two or three firkins apiece
a firkin is not some kind of a fancy pickle
metretes - a measure of liquids, about 8 1/2 gallons.
Or, about 17 - 25 1/2 gallons for each of the six waterpots.
If you take an average of 21 gallons, times the six waterpots, you have 126 gallons worth of water.
:7 they filled them to the brim
Jesus is going to take this 126 gallons of water, and turn it into wine.
Lesson:
Jesus provides with abundance
Jesus didn't just send Peter to the corner store for a gallon of wine, He provided 126 gallons instead!
Either this was an incredibly huge party, or Jesus is just showing how gracious and giving He is.
Illustration
Nancy Spiegelberg wrote:
Lord
I crawled
across the barrenness
to You
with my empty cup
uncertain
in asking
any small drop
of refreshment.
if only
I had known You
better
I'd have come
running
with a bucket.
»Ephesians 3:20-AV Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
:8 Draw out now
They were supposed to take some of the liquid and give it to "the governor".
We aren't told just when the water was turned to wine.
But somehow between the time that the water was put into the pots, and the time that it was delivered, it had turned into wine.
:8 the governor of the feast
This was the guy in charge of running the wedding feast, kind of the head-caterer.
architriklinos 1) the superintendent of the dining room, a table master.
The table master was to place in order the tables and the couches, arrange the courses, taste the food and wine beforehand, and so forth.
:9-10 ... read
:9 ruler of the feast
Same Greek word as "governor of the feast", same is also used later in this verse, translated again "governor of the feast".
:10 every man at the beginning ... then that which is worse
It was a custom of the day to serve the best wine first, then save the lesser quality stuff for the end.
:10 the good wine
A testimony that the wine that Jesus had made from water was better than the wine served at the beginning of the feast.
kalos 1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable
It was a "fine wine".
Was Jesus' wine an alcoholic beverage?
Yes. Wine (oinos) is wine. It is not simple grape juice.
In fact, the Pharisees leveled accusations at Jesus because unlike John the Baptist, He drank wine:
»Luke 7:33-34 AV For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber (lit, "wino"), a friend of publicans and sinners!
Note: This does not mean that Jesus was ever drunk. Only that He was accused of it because He did drink wine.
Is it okay to drink alcohol?
A qualified yes.
Wine was the beverage of choice much of the time.
It was usually mixed with one part wine with two or three parts water, lowering the alcohol content considerably.
Paul even recommended to Timothy to drink wine medicinally for his stomach's sake.
»1Timothy 5:23-NIV Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
It's possible that Timothy was getting "Montezuma's revenge" from drinking the local water, so Paul recommends he mixes a little wine in the water to drink.
We can even see in Scripture that wine can be a symbol of prosperity:
»Proverbs 3:9-10 AV Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
But there are problems with wine.
Three guidelines to drinking:
1. Don't Get Drunk
Jesus said:
»Luke 21:34-AV And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
Paul writes not to get drunk.
»Ephesians 5:18-AV And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The Bible says that continual drunkenness is one of the evidences that a person isn't saved:
»Galatians 5:19-21 AV Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; ... drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Look at the picture Scripture gives of the alcoholic:
»Proverbs 23:29-35 AV Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Drinking to the point of drunkenness is a sin.
2. Don't be deceived by it
»Proverbs 20:1-AV Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
mocker - luwts 1) to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly 1a1) to boast 1a2) to scorn
raging - hamah 1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar
We have an example of two guys who were deceived by wine in the Bible:
»Leviticus 9:23 - 10:3AV And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
»Leviticus 10:8-11 AV And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, 9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
If you put together two and two, you can figure out just what happened when Nadab and Abihu got toasted.
It would appear that they had been tipping the bottle when the fire came down from heaven.
Because they had been drinking, they didn't have the sense enough to think about what they were doing, and so they grabbed the wrong incense, and rushed into the tabernacle, where they weren't supposed to be yet.
If you drink, when do you cross the line where the alcohol impairs your ability to think? Do you think you are the one to objectively decide that?
The Bible says that we are priests, so this kind of applies to us!
»Revelation 1:6-AV And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
If, as a priest, you need to be in a position to minister to someone, what are you going to do if your mind is impaired by alcohol?
Note: Rev.1:6 says we're also kings:
»Proverbs 31:4-5 AV [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Paul writes:
»1Corinthians 6:12-AV All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
You may have the freedom in Christ to drink, but is it going to bring you under it's power?
3. Don't stumble someone else
You may have the freedom in Jesus to enjoy wine with your supper, but it's not all that easy.
We live in a society that is rampant with alcoholism.
Is there someone watching you who's conscience will be harmed as they watch you drink?
»Romans 14:13-15 AV Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
If a fellow Christian who is an alcoholic sees you drinking at the table next to you in the restaurant, is it going to make him think that he can do it too?
What would you think if while you were waiting for a table at the Black Angus, you saw me sitting over in the bar belting back a few?
With all the trouble that alcohol brings, and since we don't live in a world where the only safe thing to drink is wine, why would you ever want to bother with the stuff?
:11 ... read
:11 beginning of miracles
semeion 1) a sign, mark, token
This is going to be a recurring theme throughout the gospel of John.
John has picked 8 of Jesus' miracles, and laid them out for us as signs, a miracle that teaches us something, that reveals something to us about Jesus.
There was a purpose and design in this and the other miracles recorded by John.
What was the spiritual significance of this miracle?
Jesus is a gracious giver
Jesus is the source of true joy (the life of the party?)
Jesus is a transformer
He changes lives.
If we just fill the old pots with the water of the Word, He will change it into wine.
»2Corinthians 5:17-AV Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
:11 manifested forth his glory
or, He made visible or known His glory which had been hidden from them thus far.
The apostle John has already written
»John 1:14-AV And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
They got a little peek into the glory that belonged to Jesus.
:11 his disciples believed on him
That was the purpose of the miracles in the first place.
»John 20:30-31 AV And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
The disciples that were there saw what had happened, and it caused them to believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
Overall Lessons:
Has Jesus been invited into your life?
He'll turn your water into wine
You've been getting filled up this morning with the water of the Word of God.
Jesus wants to turn it into life in you, His life.
Has Jesus been invited into your marriage?
Jesus is very much in favor of marriage.
In fact, for the Jews, going to a marriage was a way of showing kindness and support for the couple.
Make Jesus the third part of your marriage.
»Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 AV Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Can you see what happens when Jesus is invited to your marriage?
He's the life of the party!
He'll provide beyond your wildest imagination.
Has Jesus been invited to your party?
Do you take Him along with you?
The friends are coming over to the house, but is Jesus invited?
Christians, don't be ashamed to put Jesus right in the center of your gathering, or your party.
The only fun that Jesus spoils is the kind of fun that destroys you.
Instead, Jesus will liven things up in a way that's better, as a "fine wine".