John 2:1-11 Water to Wine: Seeing the Glory

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Water to Wine

John 2:1-11

Introduction: John 2-4 is a unique unit within the book. These three chapters present a theme of, “the old has passed away and the new has arrived.” (1) New wine replaces the old inferior wine. (2) The risen Lord will be the new temple replacing the old temple of Judaism. (3) A new birth will be introduced so that one can enter a new kingdom. (4) A new worship will come replacing worship in locations such as Gerizim or Jerusalem.

The story of Jesus turning the water to wine at the wedding feast is often treated in superficial ways. To most, it is simply more evidence that Jesus possessed supernatural powers. To others, the miracle is an opportunity to justify the use of alcoholic beverages today. Neither is the intent of John.

1. Putting the Facts in Context
   1. We begin by looking at verse 11 and three critical points:
      1. This is the first of Jesus signs. No other gospel writer mentions this miracle. It is the first, and that is significant or else John would not have noted it. Something that is the first is introductory; it sets the tone for more and for what else is coming. We will need to discover why this was the first sign.
      2. This is a sign (one of only 7 in the book). In other words, there is more to this than simply the fact that Jesus had power to create wine out of plain water. We are to discover the meaning of the sign.
      3. The sign manifested his glory. The sign gives a picture of who Jesus really is. In 1:14, John introduced Jesus by saying, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father…” This is the beginning way Jesus showed his glory. – revealing God as the Word. Cf. 1:1, 18.
      4. His disciples believed in him. The miracle was shown primarily to his disciples. Mary knew about it. The servants knew about it; and the disciples knew about it. No one else knew. The sign was limited to a few. That is helpful knowledge, as we will see.
   2. Jesus and his family were invited to a wedding feast. Cana was a village about 6 miles from Nazareth and therefore was probably someone Jesus and his family knew.
      1. Wedding feasts of the first century were not like weddings today. Couples did not go away on a honeymoon; they invited everyone in…for a week! These people worked hard in their lives and often had little. To be invited to and be able to attend such a celebration was one of the highlights of life.
      2. So Jesus went to the wedding feast, and though it might be a minor point, we learn that Jesus participated in the social enjoyments of his age. May I remind you that God is attending this wedding feast! He did not spurn it or tell his friends that he had more important things to do.
      3. People were important to Jesus. But notice that even in a social occasion, Jesus was still focused on his cause; he was still about glorifying God. That is a great lesson.
   3. “When the wine ran out…” In a seven-day wedding feast, that is not insignificant. Wine was a key beverage in the eastern culture. It was not viewed in the way it is today, a means to a party or to loosen everyone up. In their culture, the wine was generally mixed three parts water to one part wine. You will notice that there was a “governor” or “master” of the feast. He was responsible for the mixture and the guests in order to guard against inebriation. 
   4. Mary takes it upon herself to correct the situation. She may have been a responsible person at the feast or just a take-charge lady, but she intends to do something about it. The conversation between her and Jesus is unique. “Woman” was a typical term of endearment, something like, “My lady.” The RSV may render the next part best: “What have you to do with me?” In other words, “Dear Lady, you cannot involve yourself with my work.” Mary’s response is great; it is a response of trust; a response that says, “Okay, I agree, you are in control – so ‘do whatever he tells you.’” I think this mother knew her son fairly well; she knows he will do something. And she certainly knew he was the messiah.
   5. “My hour has not yet come.” In other words, “I will take care of my work in my time.” This is the reason Jesus does respond to his mother, but not publicly. He does the first sign so that his disciples would see his glory. He must not reveal himself too soon since his hour had not yet come.
2. The Greater Story
   1. Notice the key ingredients of this event. First, there are water pots used for Jewish rites of purification. Jesus did not use just any vessel or any water; he used the vessels that were used for purification. According to the Pharisees, people became ritually unclean by touching objects of everyday life. Before eating, they would pour water over their hands to cleanse themselves of any defiling. The Jews would also wash their cups, pitchers, and utensils with this water (cf. Mark 7:4). John makes this a point of emphasis. Ritual purification is over! No more at this feast. Jesus the Lamb of God will be the purification.
   2. Then there is the fact that this is all in the context of a wedding feast, a wedding feast gone awry. How many times do you see God giving pictures of wedding feasts? 
      1. The prophets used it to talk about the messiah’s kingdom (Psalm 45).
      2. Jesus used it repeatedly in his parables. The Jews longed for the day when they would sit down at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom. Nothing would be more counter to their expectations than a wedding feast without the picture of hope, joy, and prosperity.
   3. Then there is the wine. Most of us are clueless as to the importance of wine in Jewish thought. When God spoke of punishing the nation, he would talk in terms of taking away their wine. When God spoke of renewing their kingdom, he would speak in terms of restoring wine.
      1. Deut. 7:13-14
      2. Psalm 104:14-15
      3. Isaiah 55:1
      4. Isaiah 25:6
      5. Lamentations 2:12
      6. Jeremiah 48:33
      7. Jeremiah 31:11-14
      8. Amos 9:13-14 (Notice this is part of the fulfillment of the land promise.) – Psa. 104:15; Judg. 9:13; Isa. 55:1
   4. Notice how wine is used as symbols of the blessings of God, especially the blessings of God to be delivered in the messianic age. Without wine there was wrath from God, with wine, God’s favor. Therefore what is this first sign? Bringing wine when there is none – the blessings and favor of God in a time when there was wrath. How unusual but appropriate that they ran out of wine and only the miracle of God could change the situation. By the sign, Jesus has signaled the end of wrath & the arrival of the blessings of the Messiah.
   5. Further, Jesus brought superior wine. When you put this together with the fact that to the Jews wine symbolized the blessings of God, we then see that Jesus is announcing Himself as the one who is ushering in those superior blessings. In fact, this is the theme of Hebrews.
   6. Consider also the sheer abundance of wine. 180 gallons! It is not likely in this little village that there are enough guests to even come near using that much. Jesus also telling us the super abundance if the blessings He brings. Where sin abounded, grace abounded more. John 1:14 spoke of him as full of grace and truth. This is a clear picture of OT abundance in the Messiah’s kingdom.
   7. And, do you remember the first miracle done by Moses? Water to blood – wrath and death. Jesus’ first miracle is a clear contrast – water to wine – health, prosperity, and abundance. It is the ultimate picture of God’s eternal kingdom.
3. The Timeless Message
   1. Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” In this context Paul is speaking to people who are disputing about what ought to have been inconsequential opinions. Look at what he says the kingdom is about. Christians usually understand the importance of righteousness. Peace is more challenging for a lot of Christians. But joy, true biblical joy, is not a part of the lives of so many. Consider the following passages: Gal. 5:22; Psalm 32:11; Psalm 16:11; John 15:11. The Lord came to bring us joy & so we could live in His joy. 
   2. Look at this wedding feast. What had it become? What was its condition? The wine had run out; there was no joy. That was the condition of Israel; that is the condition of every man and woman without Jesus. Jesus came to the feast and brought joy. Apart from Jesus, the wine will run out in our life. You can pretend all you want; it will run out!
   3. And when you see Jesus making this massive amount of wine, we understand that it was more than anyone could even imagine using at a wedding feast. It is a preposterous amount! That is such a clear message to you and me. When you live for God, that is, He is your life; you will never find yourself empty of joy and grace (1:16). In fact, you will never find yourself empty. (John 6 – we will never hunger or thirst again.)

Conclusion: In the parable of the virgins, Jesus spoke of his people waiting for the return of the bridegroom when the wedding feast would begin. In Revelation 19:7-8, we are drawn to see the ultimate picture of the return of Jesus: “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.” 

Berry Kercheville