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        "The Beginning of the Signs"
        John 2:1-11
        Theme:         The first miracle performed by Jesus demonstrates His ability to transform what He has created into something new.

      1. The Changes in the Relationships of Jesus – 2:1-4

        1. The Appeal to His Power – vv. 1-3

          1. Jesus and His disciples proceeded promptly on a 70 mile journey that they had three days to make in order to attend "a wedding in Cana of Galilee," to which "Jesus also was invited."
          2. It is apparent from the prestigious role played by Mary that it was the wedding of someone who was either part of Jesus family or very close to the family
            1. Cana was only about 9-12 miles north of Nazareth
            2. When the wine ran out, Mary felt compelled to do something about it.
            3. Mary had the authority to usurp the headwaiter’s authority to order the servants what to do – cp. v. 5
          3. It can be assumed that Jesus, having been absent now for well over a month, filled His mother in on what had transpired.
          4. She may have even been told about the dove’s descending at His baptism and putting that together with the prophecies that she had "treasured in her heart" (Luke 2:19) and was aware that Jesus had initiated His Messianic duties.
          5. As a result, she comes to Him and asks Him to do something – appealing to Him as a son to deliver her and the host from actual liability for the fact that "they have no wine."

        2. The Answer re: His Prerogatives – v. 4

          1. Most mothers have trouble with the fact that their children grow up . . . always trying to "mother" them.
          2. Jesus’ response to His mother’s approach of Him demonstrates His subtle, yet forceful communiqué that the relationship had changed: "Woman . . ." not "Mother."
          3. This demonstrates that Mary herself was subjected to Christ’ authority and is no "Co-Redemptrix"
          4. The remainder of the response demonstrates that the authority that previously existed had been turned completely around: "What do I have to do with you?" – that is, "What accountabilities do I now have to you?"
          5. He then states that He Himself would determine what needs to be done and when: "My hour is not yet come." – that is, the timing of even the first miracle was detailed in the redemptive plan of God.

      2. The Confidence in the Role of Jesus – 2:5-8

        1. The Confidence Seen in the Order – v. 5

          1. Mary’s response demonstrated the appropriate yieldedness to the authority of God.
          2. She expresses confidence in the power and authority of Jesus by issuing an order to the servants: "Whatever He says to you, do it."
          3. This is the attitude that all men ought to possess in relationship to Jesus Christ – cp. Matthew 28:20.

        2. The Confidence Seen in the Obedience – vv. 6-8

          1. Notice also the tremendous obedience that was shown by the servants as they cooperated with the seemingly ridiculous instructions of Jesus.
          2. "Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or their gallons each" – huge, heavy containers requiring somewhere around 150 gallons of water to fill.
          3. Jesus instructs the servants "Fill the waterpots with water"
          4. Their obedience together with Mary’s oversight demonstrated a confidence in the role of Jesus: "So they filled the up to the brim."
          5. Then Jesus told them "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." – an obvious potential embarrassment if the servant were to bring water to the headwaiter as a suggestion to serve.
          6. It is interesting that later, John states that this event was a miracle, "a sign" used to point to the deity of Christ. However, it also portrayed the work of Christ – emptiness of religion, the work of conversion as a man becomes a new creature, the need for men to have faith in Christ to do this miraculous work.

      3. The Clarity in the Revelation of Jesus – 2:9-11

        1. The Purity of His Action – vv. 9-10

          1. Some have attempted to use this text as a means to justify the drinking of intoxicating beverages – stating that since Jesus turned water into wine, there can’t be anything wrong with drinking.
          2. Notice the significance of what is stated here: "When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom."
          3. He was thrilled that the tragedy had been averted, that new wine had been obtained from somewhere.
          4. His surprise was not simply that wine had been obtained, but the "quality" of the wine outstripped what they had been served previously: "Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."
            1. This statement is significant because it demonstrates several principles that must be recognized lest the Lord be accused of providing the means by which intoxicated men became even more drunk.
            2. First, recognize that the fermentation of the "juice of the vine" was something that quickly occurred because of the want of refrigeration.
            3. To be able to serve wine "straight" (unmixed with water) was rare because of the fermentation process.
            4. Drinking fresh, non-fermented wine was a rare treat – being considered as the "good wine" while the fermented stuff that had to be diluted was considered the "poorer wine"
            5. Consider the situation – people had been drinking greatly – having at first been given the least intoxicating beverage until that ran out, then been served the harder, more intoxicating wine until that too was gone.
            6. They would have had to dilute it until it was very weak – in part to minimize the intoxication of the guest, but also to try to make it stretch.
            7. Then Jesus performs the miracle and the headwaiter tastes it and asks: "Why have you kept the purest, unfermented, undiluted, most delicious wine until now? Most people serve this stuff first."
          5. My conclusion on this matter is that this "wine" was not fermented at all and was non-intoxicating.
          6. Otherwise if the "good wine" was of the most highly fermented and intoxicating kind, Jesus was throwing the "hardest" stuff at people that were already on the brink of inebriation – and this just cannot be.
          7. Hence this account cannot be used to suggest that it is perfectly acceptable for people to drink intoxicating beverages today
            1. The US government has declared that alcoholism is the Nations’ #1 drug problem
            2. Each ½ ounce of alcohol takes about an hour to be processed and affects the body throughout the duration – a 16 oz can of beer – 5 oz glass of wine – and a 1 ½ oz shot of 100 proof vodka reportedly have identical levels of ethanol.
            3. Ephesians 5:18 states: "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." – my question is that if ethanol is mainlined and affects the body throughout the duration of being processed, how much "under the influence" do we have to be before we are disobeying this command?
            4. Scripture warns us not to get involved in drinking intoxicating beverages: Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-32 on simply the basis of wisdom.
            5. Those who are separated for the service of God as priests were forbidden to drink wine – Leviticus 10:9-11 and we are called by God to be a "royal priesthood."
            6. When clarity of mind is required to maintain justice and righteousness, the advice to us is to totally abstain – cp. Proverbs 31:4-5

        2. The Purpose of His Action – v. 11

          1. John states that "This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee"
          2. By definition, a "sign" was an event that carried with it a deeper meaning – pointing to another reality beyond the event itself.
          3. John states that what this event and the other "signs" performed by Jesus pointed to was how He "manifested His glory" – demonstrating that He was the Son of God.
          4. The consequence of this "sign" was the fact that "His disciples believed in Him." – it was designed to allow men & women of sincere heart to have faith strengthened.

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