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The Life of Christ Lesson 8, John 2:1-12 John 2:1-2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. (2) Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. “On the third day…” John has been giving a daily chronology since 1:29 1:29 “the next day…” 1:35 “the next day…” 1:43 “the following day…” “…the mother of Jesus was there…” this must have been a close relative’s wedding or else a close friend of Jesus’ family Jesus and His disciples were invited guests and Jesus “wanted to go to Galilee” (1:43) Jesus had increased in “favor with man” and was not a stick in the mud when it came to a celebrating at a wedding. They wanted Him there and His followers. John 2:3-4 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." (4) Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." This was a major social faux pas. "To fail in providing adequately for the guests would involve social disgrace. In the closely knit communities of Jesus’ day such an error would never be forgotten, and would haunt the newly married couple all their lives." (Tenney) ~this is from David Guzik’s commentary found at www.blueletterbible.org 1. These wedding celebrations would often last a week or two 2. This wasn’t by any means a drunken party. Wine was the staple drink of the time and was often mixed with water to dilute the wine or to purify the water. “they have no wine…” v.4 tells us that this (or something less obvious) caused concern to Mary Not only was this a concern for the wedding couple (or their parents) it may also imply that the “party’s over”. If not, it is definitely a wrench in the celebration. Mary appeals to Jesus for help. It is implied that she believes that He could perform a miracle (more on that soon). From J. Vernon McGee’s commentary on John “What did Mary mean by her statement? First of all, it is well to call attention to the fact that this was a very poor family. They simply didn’t have enough refreshments. Bengal in his commentary said that , when she told the Lord there was no wine, it was a gentle hint for Him and His disciples to depart. Calvin writes that it was a suggestion for Him to occupy the minds of the guests with a discourse. It would be just like John Calvin to suggest that, by the way. If you have ever read Calvin’s Institutes, you know they are profound, but boring. If Calvin had been there, he would have given a discourse and probably put them all to sleep! However, I do not think that the context here would permit either interpretation. I don’t believe it was a hint for Him to leave nor a suggestion to occupy the minds of the guests. I think that very candidly she is saying, “Perform a miracle. This would be an appropriate occasion.” 3. What is interesting about this is that Jesus had not yet performed any miracles. We are told in v.11 “this is the beginning of signs…” and we find in John 4:54 “This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.” John 2:4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." 4. “woman…” this a common, respectful address but distinct from “mother”. More like “ma’am”, not rude but not endearing. 5. “…what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come…” this short dialog can be confusing and we can do our best to understand it’s essence. Bible teachers don’t agree on what is essentially being conveyed. What we need to remember is to not get bogged down with some of these things and make sure we capture the heart of the story that is being told. The heart of this story is found in the next several verses but before we move on, let’s see if we can understand what Jesus might possibly mean in His statement to Mary. One possibility is that He is saying that the real concern is not about Him doing a miracle and drawing attention to himself (or Mary) but the real need for the wedding couple. 6. Jesus often performed miracles in His ministry out of compassion for others, not because He needed to prove anything. Jesus was a compassionate person and Mary, His mother, knew that more than anyone at this time. She may be appealing to His compassion as an opportunity for Him to prove Himself. It was not His “hour” to do that. There seems to be a current in His family along these lines… John 7:3-10 His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. (4) For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." (5) For even His brothers did not believe in Him. (6) Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. (7) The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. (8) You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." (9) When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. (10) But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Notice that this story is similar in the fact that His family is trying to compel Him to do something but in this case it is clearly with wrong motives. Jesus walked by the Spirit not by the flesh. John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Mary doesn’t read His response as “no, I’m not going to help” Mary conveys a much need parenting tip & counselor training “What He [Jesus] says to you, do it” Mary instructions to the servants show a confidence that Jesus is going to help out in some way John 2:6-7 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. (7) Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. Now we are getting t0 the heart of this story… John later writes that this was the beginning of the signs/miracles that Jesus did 7. Jesus performed miracles out of compassion, out of obedience to His Father and on occasion to illustrate a truth. John has specifically recorded these “signs” that are coupled with teaching 8. This miracle is not just about helping with the needs of this wedding celebration, there are spiritual truths being intentionally taught. 9. These water pots were specifically for Jewish ceremonial cleansing Mark 7:1-13 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. (2) Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. (3) For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. (4) When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. (5) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" (6) He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. (7) AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.' (8) For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men— the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." (9) He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (10) For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.' (11) But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"—' (that is, a gift to God), (12) then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, (13) making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." 10. These ceremonial water pots were for the “Jewish customs” but not necessarily the Law. There were Mosaic laws for cleansing but these had nothing to do with those laws. Exodus 30:17-21 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: (18) "You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, (19) for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. (20) When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die. (21) So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute forever to them— to him and his descendants throughout their generations." These stone waterpots seem to be empty when Jesus gives His instructions John 2:6 Now1161 there were six1803 stone3035 waterpots5201 set2749 there1563 for the Jewish2453 custom of purification2512, containing5562 twenty1417 or2228 thirty5140 gallons3355 each303. G5562 χωρέω chōreō kho-reh'-o From G5561; to be in (give) space, that is, (intransitively) to pass, enter, or (transitively) to hold, admit (literally or figuratively): - come, contain, go, have, place, (can, be room to) receive. These were fairly large pots (20 or 30 gallons each would be the equivalent of 24-36 five gallon buckets) 11. These were previously used for ceremonial purification but could not purify the heart These represented what Jesus later spoke about "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. (7) AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.' (8) For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men— the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." (9) He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (Mark 7) John 2:8-10 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. (9) When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. (10) And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" 12. The water in the pots become wine, not for external cleansing but for internal change. Jesus used wine as the symbol of His blood shed for us which cleanses us from our sin. Are we washed with mere traditions that cannot purify or are we “washed in the blood of the Lamb” John 2:10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" 13. The master of ceremonies does not know where the wine came from. Jesus was discreet with this miracle. It was not His intention to take the spotlight at this wedding. No doubt the word would get out eventually, but Jesus didn’t perform this miracle with any fanfare. “when the guests have well drunk…” doesn’t mean when everybody gets smashed then they don’t care People who merely want to get drunk usually don’t care what they’re drinking, they’ll drink the most awful tasting booze to get drunk! This is more likely saying something like, “when everyone has been impressed and enjoyed a nice refreshing drink then it’s not so important to keep impressing them as the celebration continues on” This was alcoholic wine! Yet the custom of the time was to dilute the wine with water. 14. The bible doesn’t condemn drinking wine, it condemns getting drunk. Psalms 104:14-15 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, (15) And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart. Judges 9:12-13 "Then the trees said to the vine, 'You come and reign over us!' (13) But the vine said to them, 'Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?' Zechariah 10:7 Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, And their heart shall rejoice as if with wine. Yes, their children shall see it and be glad; Their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. Genesis 27:28 Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine. This does not mean that we should be careless in our culture. We must be concerned about society and church culture and not use freedom as a vice or stumbling block for others. We must also be careful not to judge others where the scriptures do not judge Ephesians 5:18-19 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, If wine has the ability to make the heart glad without the necessity of getting drunk, so much more does the Holy Spirit fill that need in our life. Jesus saved the best wine for last!