Wine Miracle
Preaching
Preaching the Miracles
Cycle C
On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you. 6 Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. 9 When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
It was an unhappy moment in the hour of happiness! It occurred at a wedding feast in Cana. The embarrassing scene is portrayed in a deeply carved wooden choir stall in the 13th century cathedral of Notre Dame in Amiens, France. There is a long rectangular table on which are baked goods and cups. At the center of the table stand the bride and groom and Mary and Jesus. Something apparently is wrong. One man at the table has his cup turned upside down, indicating that it is empty. Mary looks at Jesus with an open hand turned upward, saying, "They have no wine." Four of Jesus' disciples stand behind him. At the left of the table the butler is telling the guests that the supply of wine is exhausted. It is a crisis. The family is humiliated by not having enough wine. The guests are disappointed. A wet blanket is thrown on a happy, celebrative occasion. At that time a Jewish wedding lasted a week. It was a time for laughing, talking, singing and dancing. And now this: no wine! What to do? Who or what could save the situation from disaster? Only the mother of Jesus knew to whom to go - to Jesus. Because of him, the end of the party was better than the beginning. But it took a miracle to do it - his first miracle!
Acclimation
The Situation.
It was only a few days after Jesus chose four disciples when he, along with his mother and disciples, attended a wedding. He had left Nazareth to hear John the Baptist preach and to witness his baptism. At this time John hailed Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." His confession persuaded two of his disciples to follow Jesus. Now they were with him at a wedding reception.
All was going well at the wedding. Everyone was in high spirits, talking, laughing, singing and dancing. In the midst of the celebration a sour note was heard: the supply of wine had given out. Poor planning? More guests than expected? We do not know the reason, but not only was the party about to be ruined, but the family would be humiliated for the lack of hospitality. Having no wine at a wedding reception was like going to a dance without a band. Mary informed Jesus of the problem: "They have no wine." She did not ask him to do something about it. It was simply a statement of fact. But apparently Jesus took it as a request. Like a wife saying to her husband, "I can't get the lid off this jar of pickles," was a way of saying, "I need your help."
Jesus' reaction to his mother's statement was somewhat negative; "You must not tell me what to do (GNB)." Already Jesus realized that his mother was now a woman like every other person. He was now more than her son - her Savior. He referred to his "hour" as the time of his fulfillment of his messiahship - the cross. Her reaction was an admonition to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
Then Jesus directed the servants to do a ridiculous thing. The crying need was wine, but he ordered the servants to fill six jars with water! By the time the jars were carried to the party, the water was wine. And not ordinary wine, but the best wine! This caused the steward to commend the groom for saving the best wine until last.
As a result of this first miracle, two wonderful things happened: the glory of God was revealed in Jesus, and his disciples believed in him.
The Setting
1. The Church Year. The wine miracle at Cana comprises the gospel lesson for the second Sunday after the Epiphany. It blends into the theme of the Epiphany season, the manifestation of God's glory in his Son. Last Sunday's miracle, the baptism of Jesus, manifested the glory of God in Jesus as the accepted and approved Son, the Messiah. The first miracle, according to John's gospel, manifested God's glory in Jesus' power to transform nature: water into wine. Seeing God's glory in Jesus led the disciples to believe in him as the Messiah. The miracle was a "sign" (v. 11) that this upstart preacher from Nazareth was indeed the promised Messiah?
2. Related Passages - Hosea 1:2-3; 2:2-5 - God's love for his people is like Hosea's love for his faithless wife.
Matthew 9:16-17 - New wine demands new wineskins.
Matthew 22:1-13 - The man without a wedding garment.
Mark 7:2-5 - Water is used for ceremonial washing.
Mark 10:6-9 - Marriage is of God.
Luke 14:7-11 - Finding your rightful place at a wedding feast.
Luke 23:36 - On the cross Jesus is offered wine.
Ephesians 5:22-32 - Love in marriage.
3. The Lectionary - Lesson 1 (Isaiah 62:1-5). A marital relationship exists between Yahweh and his people. This passage was probably chosen for this Sunday because it is related to the wedding at Cana. The exiles, returning from the bondage of Babylon to Jerusalem, may have felt divorced from God. The return to their nation and temple was like God's remarrying his unfaithful spouse. Accordingly, like a bride, Israel will have a new name, the name of her husband, and God will take delight in his bride.
Lesson 2 (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no intended relation of this pericope with the Cana miracle. It is the first of a series of seven readings from 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 to 15. Today's lesson deals with the Holy Spirit and his nine gifts. A connection with the gospel lesson can be made by seeing the change of water into wine as Jesus' gift to the wedding family. His gift saved the family from the shame of inhospitality and provided joy for the wedding guests.
Gospel (John 2:1-11). At a wedding Jesus changed water into wine. The wedding is not the focal point of the pericope. It just happened to be the setting for Jesus' first miracle. Jesus, his mother, and disciples were only guests. Jesus was not the officiating minister. He was just one of the friends of the family. When he was informed by his mother that the supply of wine was exhausted, he came to the rescue by making wine out of water so that the party would be a success. The glory of God was seen in his power over nature.
Psalm of the Day (Psalm 36:5-10). It harmonizes with the wine miracle: "Thou givest them drink from the water of thy delights (v. 8)."
Prayer of the Day. It deals with God's glory in Jesus' miracle and the resultant faith in the disciples: "Lord God, you shared your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son."
Explanation
Marriage (v. 1) - Little is known how a wedding was performed in Jesus' day. We do know that the wedding feast was very important and could last a week. It was a great celebration, with families and friends who feasted, sang and danced. It was a time of happiness and enjoyment.
Cana (v. 1) - Only John mentions Cana. Its exact location is unknown and does not exist today. It was located somewhere west of the Sea of Galilee.
Invited (v. 2) - Jesus was at the wedding by invitation. He did not barge in on the party, for he was not a party-crasher. He was wanted. His presence would honor the occasion. Apparently he was not a wet blanket at the time when there was laughter, fun and fellowship accompanied by good eats and wine. This is still true. Jesus waits for an invitation to enter our lives and homes. He will not force himself on us. He said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself (Matthew 16:24)." He invited two prospective disciples, "Come and see (John 1:39)."
No Wine (v. 3) - The announcement at the Cana wedding was like the explosion of a bomb: "No wine." How could that be? Who goofed? Was it poor planning? Did more guests arrive than expected? Was the master of the feast negligent? If the festivities went on for a week, a tremendous amount of wine must have been needed. Why was this a problem? Their water was not fit to drink. They drank wine as we drink water. In Jesus' time, the lack of food or wine was an act of inhospitality. The family was about to be disgraced. The party would be ruined, and the guests would go home calling the event a failure. This was no way for a young couple to start a marriage!
Woman (v. 4) - The Greek word is gunai. It can be translated as "woman," "lady" or "madam." At Cana Jesus addressed his mother, "Woman." On the cross he did the same, "Woman, behold your son." The Revised Standard Version translates verse 4: "O woman, what have you to do with me?" The Good News Bible: "You must not tell me what to do." The New International Version: "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Why did he not call her "mother?" Apparently Jesus was teaching his mother that their relationship had changed since his baptism and call to be the Messiah. Now he was more than her son; he was her Savior. Jesus could no longer operate under human authority.
Hour (v. 4) - The word occurs six times in John. "My hour has not yet come." Jesus referred to the hour of his mission: the salvation of the world. It was the hour of his supreme sacrifice on the cross. For him it was an hour of victory, fulfillment and obedience to his Father. To us the cross looks like an hour of defeat, but to Jesus it was the hour of glory.
Whatever (v. 5) - Mary told the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus told them to do. It was a word of obedience. It reflected her complete confidence in his meeting the need of the hour. It was a word well needed, because Jesus ordered them to fill up the jars with water when they needed wine! How ridiculous! Out of obedience comes success. A divine order sometimes does not make sense, but it leads to success.
Water (v. 7) - At an occasion like the Cana wedding much water was needed. It was used to wash the feet of the incoming guests, for the ritual washing of hands before eating, and for washing dishes. It was dish water, not drinking water! Consider the capacity of one jar: 30 gallons. With six jars, they had 180 gallons. By the time the servants carried the water to the butler, it was wine - a generous supply of 180 gallons! Someone said, "The conscious water saw its God and blushed." Was it pink or red wine? This event calls our attention to the generosity of God.
Knew not (v. 9) - When the water made wine was served, the steward was amazed at the quality of the wine. He did not know about the miracle. No one but Mary and the servants knew the secret. Jesus did this behind the scenes. He did not want popularity or notoriety, for his hour had come. He made wine to help out a bad situation. He felt sorry for the wedding couple and their parents. The best wine came last. It is so with life - the best is yet to be, and joy comes in the morning.
Glory (v. 11) - This first sign revealed the glory of Jesus. Glory is identified with God. It represents his power and presence. In this miracle, the power of God was seen in turning flat, tasteless water into rich wine. The presence of God was revealed in Jesus as the Son of God - a God of compassion for human need and happiness.
Application
Relevance of Revelation - 1. People can easily identify with the problem at the Cana wedding feast. An ingredient necessary for the success of the party was exhausted. It is possible to run out of food or drink when serving a large party. No substitute is available or satisfactory. People are hungry or thirsty. The affair is an embarrassing failure. In the light of this we can understand Mary's announcement to Jesus, "They have no wine." To us the lack of wine may not seem a big deal, but to Jesus it was important enough to perform his first miracle. A need had to be met. A happy occasion had to be saved from disaster. A family's reputation for hospitality had to be protected.
2. Today we do not expect Jesus to perform a miracle to supply a material need like food or drink. If we run out of coffee, wine or beer at a reception, we do not expect a miracle. If so, then in what way is this miracle relevant to us? We find that people run out of moral and spiritual supplies. They are spiritually dry, which is expressed in lack of faith, prayer and love. Many are running their lives on empty. Soon they will be out of gas and will be helpless on the highway of life. For these the miracle is good news: turn to Jesus, and he will supply you with the necessary supplies to make life happy.
3. The point of Cana's miracle may be misconstrued. It is not an occasion to discuss the problem of alcohol or the use of grape juice rather than wine in holy communion. Also, the miracle does not deal with marriage and family. Some pastors use this Sunday for the renewing of marriage vows. This puts the focus of the miracle on weddings. Rather, the wedding at Cana is simply the setting for a truth about Jesus. The miracle reveals the power of Christ to transform nature, even human nature. Moreover, the miracle reveals the glory of God in Jesus as the Messiah. This manifestation arouses faith in the disciples, then and now. Nor can we interpret the miracle allegorically by saying that the water represents Judaism, the old covenant and the Law, while the wine stands for the new covenant with Jesus. The miracle deals with Jesus - his compassion and glory - and Jesus is always relevant to the needs of humanity.
Sermon Suggestions
1. The Best is Yet to Be. The wine Jesus made out of water was so good that the steward of the feast complimented the bridegroom that he saved the best wine until last. It was the custom to serve cheap wine toward the close of the feast because by that time people had drunk so much that they could not evaluate the quality of the wine. Presently, we may have no wine or only flat water of hardship and sorrow. But those who come to Jesus with their need get the best in the end. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5)."
2. You Can Change. In the miracle "the water now became wine (v. 9)" was the result of the transforming power of Christ. He can take a life that is as flat and non-drinkable as dishwater and make it like the very best wine. Throughout church history this fact is demonstrated endlessly: Peter, Paul, Augustine, Francis of Assisi, et al. There is hope for people who struggle with temptation, carnal sins and despair with oneself. You can change. You can be different. Christ can make you a new person, as good and rich as the best wine.
3. God's Generosity. The miracle story goes from empty to full! It is a case of God's generosity. There were six jars, each with a capacity of 30 gallons. This made 180 gallons of wine. The servants filled the jars "up to the brim (v. 7)." They were as full as could be! Why so much wine when the party was almost over? Did Jesus contribute to their inebriation? No, it was a display of the generosity of God. He is no skinflint, no piker, no penny pincher. His generosity can be seen in nature by his abrupt supply of seed. Because of God's generosity, Paul could write, "My God will supply every need of yours (Philippians 4:19)."
4. Running on Empty. "They have no wine (v. 3)." The supply of wine was exhausted. For many the gas gauge of life's auto says "empty." We may still be driving, but the end is near. This is characteristic of today's society - emptiness. Life is bankrupt and has no meaning. Our supply of spiritual resources is exhausted. So we sing, "Fill my cup, Lord." Who but Jesus can fill our empty spiritual tanks with faith and love? No one but Jesus. If we are wise, we, like Mary, will go to Jesus for the satisfaction of our needs.
Glory Be! In this miracle we see the glory of God in his Son. The glory is in the presence of God in Jesus to enable him to change water to wine. God is glorious in himself. When we see God in Jesus, we see the glory of God. The sight of God's glory results in faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one of God. Faith follows glory. With faith we are able to recognize the glory of God in Jesus.
Do It! Mary told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you (v. 5)." If there were no obedience, there would be no miracle. Miracles follow obedience to Christ's commands even if at the time they seem "crazy," like taking water rather than wine to the wedding reception. Miracles happen when we obey: "Give," "Love," "Preach," "Repent." Obey and you experience a miracle of the fulfillment of your need!
Sermon Structures
1. Your Life Can Be Better! (2:1-11). You may be dissatisfied with your life as it is. But it can change, it can be better. You do not have to be what you are. This is how you can become a better person:
A. Invite Christ into your life - v. 2
B. Take your need to Jesus - v. 3
C. Obey his commands - v. 5
D. Enjoy the result - v. 10
A Sign of Wine (2:1-11). A sign can be meaningful. There is the sign of the cross - it speaks of salvation. Isaiah gave King Ahaz the sign of a maiden and child to indicate God's deliverance. John sees this miracle as a sign of Jesus. What does this miracle say about Jesus?
A. Jesus is compassionate - answers a need - v. 3
B. Jesus is God's Son - vv. 9, 11
C. Jesus uses God's power - vv. 6-9
3. This Miracle is for you (2:1-11). This first miracle of Jesus is one for you. It applies to your life. It can make your life a miracle. Consider the nature of this miracle.
A. Miracle of generosity - 180 gallons - v. 6
B. Miracle of compassion - "Fill the jars" - v. 7
C. Miracle of quality - "the good wine" - v. 10
4. The Key to Getting a Miracle (2:1-11). The key to the Cana miracle was obedience. If the servants had not obeyed Jesus' command, there would have been no miracle. Obedience can:
A. Make sense - "Do whatever he tells you - v. 5
B. Sound like nonsense - "Fill the jars with water - v. 7
C. Result in success - "the good wine" - v. 10.
5. Would You Invite Jesus? (2:2). Not everyone would invite Jesus. He may make us uncomfortable and feel guilty. Would he cramp our style? Be offended at our language? Approve our antics? The couple of Cana wanted Jesus to be at their wedding. Jesus and his disciples were invited. Would you invite Jesus:
A. Into your family - courtship, marriage?
B. Into your work?
C. Into your personal life?
6. Are You Prepared? (2:3). Mary advised Jesus, "They have no wine." Was this the fault of inadequate preparation? Did they underestimate the crowd? Lack of preparation can result in failure, defeat and disappointment. Every person needs to ask:
A. Prepared for an opportunity when it comes?
B. Prepared to face a crisis?
C. Prepared to meet God?
Illustration
Water to Tequila. The traveler was sneaking a half-gallon bottle across the Mexican border when a U.S. Customs official searched him. Upon discovering the bottle, the official asked the man what it contained. "It's just holy water," the traveler replied. "I took it from the shrine I visited." Doubting him, the inspector opened the bottle and took a sniff. "This is tequila!" he shouted. "Good heavens!" cried the traveler, looking up to the sky, "Yet another miracle (Reader's Digest, February, 1988, p. 85)!"
Jesus at a Wedding. A small boy was asked on a television variety show if he attended Sunday school. When he said he did, he was asked, "What are you learning?" "Last week," came the reply, "our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and made water into wine." "And what did you learn from that story?" After thinking for a moment, the lad answered, "If you're having a wedding, make sure Jesus is there!"
Shortage of Water or Wine? Russell Hoy won the 1988 Pinocchio Award for the best lie. He wrote that last summer's drought was so bad that a Roman priest tried to turn wine back into water. As for baptisms, Baptists went to sprinkling, Presbyterians used a wet cloth and Lutherans were passing out rain checks!
Miracle of Change. Mitsuo Fuchida, a Japanese commander, led 360 bombers into Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After the war he became a Christian preacher in Japan. He tells how Christ changed his life from hatred with a desire for revenge for Americans to one of peace and love for all people.
Sewer Gas to Diamonds. A U.S. Navy chemist, Dr. James E. Butler, has found a way to convert sewer gas into diamonds. He tapped Washington's sewage system for methane gas and used it to grow diamonds at the Naval Research Laboratory by using an oxygen-acetylene torch.
Emptiness - Internal Weakness. When the Statue of Liberty was remodeled, it was discovered that the entire inside support system had to be replaced. The outside copper skin of the statue was okay; it only had to be cleaned. Rust and corrosion had ruined the inner iron supports. If repairs had not been made, the statue in 20 years would have fallen over. The iron supports were replaced with stainless steel. Now it can withstand 125 mph winds. A nation without inner supports of moral integrity is doomed to lose her liberty.
It was an unhappy moment in the hour of happiness! It occurred at a wedding feast in Cana. The embarrassing scene is portrayed in a deeply carved wooden choir stall in the 13th century cathedral of Notre Dame in Amiens, France. There is a long rectangular table on which are baked goods and cups. At the center of the table stand the bride and groom and Mary and Jesus. Something apparently is wrong. One man at the table has his cup turned upside down, indicating that it is empty. Mary looks at Jesus with an open hand turned upward, saying, "They have no wine." Four of Jesus' disciples stand behind him. At the left of the table the butler is telling the guests that the supply of wine is exhausted. It is a crisis. The family is humiliated by not having enough wine. The guests are disappointed. A wet blanket is thrown on a happy, celebrative occasion. At that time a Jewish wedding lasted a week. It was a time for laughing, talking, singing and dancing. And now this: no wine! What to do? Who or what could save the situation from disaster? Only the mother of Jesus knew to whom to go - to Jesus. Because of him, the end of the party was better than the beginning. But it took a miracle to do it - his first miracle!
Acclimation
The Situation.
It was only a few days after Jesus chose four disciples when he, along with his mother and disciples, attended a wedding. He had left Nazareth to hear John the Baptist preach and to witness his baptism. At this time John hailed Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." His confession persuaded two of his disciples to follow Jesus. Now they were with him at a wedding reception.
All was going well at the wedding. Everyone was in high spirits, talking, laughing, singing and dancing. In the midst of the celebration a sour note was heard: the supply of wine had given out. Poor planning? More guests than expected? We do not know the reason, but not only was the party about to be ruined, but the family would be humiliated for the lack of hospitality. Having no wine at a wedding reception was like going to a dance without a band. Mary informed Jesus of the problem: "They have no wine." She did not ask him to do something about it. It was simply a statement of fact. But apparently Jesus took it as a request. Like a wife saying to her husband, "I can't get the lid off this jar of pickles," was a way of saying, "I need your help."
Jesus' reaction to his mother's statement was somewhat negative; "You must not tell me what to do (GNB)." Already Jesus realized that his mother was now a woman like every other person. He was now more than her son - her Savior. He referred to his "hour" as the time of his fulfillment of his messiahship - the cross. Her reaction was an admonition to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
Then Jesus directed the servants to do a ridiculous thing. The crying need was wine, but he ordered the servants to fill six jars with water! By the time the jars were carried to the party, the water was wine. And not ordinary wine, but the best wine! This caused the steward to commend the groom for saving the best wine until last.
As a result of this first miracle, two wonderful things happened: the glory of God was revealed in Jesus, and his disciples believed in him.
The Setting
1. The Church Year. The wine miracle at Cana comprises the gospel lesson for the second Sunday after the Epiphany. It blends into the theme of the Epiphany season, the manifestation of God's glory in his Son. Last Sunday's miracle, the baptism of Jesus, manifested the glory of God in Jesus as the accepted and approved Son, the Messiah. The first miracle, according to John's gospel, manifested God's glory in Jesus' power to transform nature: water into wine. Seeing God's glory in Jesus led the disciples to believe in him as the Messiah. The miracle was a "sign" (v. 11) that this upstart preacher from Nazareth was indeed the promised Messiah?
2. Related Passages - Hosea 1:2-3; 2:2-5 - God's love for his people is like Hosea's love for his faithless wife.
Matthew 9:16-17 - New wine demands new wineskins.
Matthew 22:1-13 - The man without a wedding garment.
Mark 7:2-5 - Water is used for ceremonial washing.
Mark 10:6-9 - Marriage is of God.
Luke 14:7-11 - Finding your rightful place at a wedding feast.
Luke 23:36 - On the cross Jesus is offered wine.
Ephesians 5:22-32 - Love in marriage.
3. The Lectionary - Lesson 1 (Isaiah 62:1-5). A marital relationship exists between Yahweh and his people. This passage was probably chosen for this Sunday because it is related to the wedding at Cana. The exiles, returning from the bondage of Babylon to Jerusalem, may have felt divorced from God. The return to their nation and temple was like God's remarrying his unfaithful spouse. Accordingly, like a bride, Israel will have a new name, the name of her husband, and God will take delight in his bride.
Lesson 2 (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no intended relation of this pericope with the Cana miracle. It is the first of a series of seven readings from 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 to 15. Today's lesson deals with the Holy Spirit and his nine gifts. A connection with the gospel lesson can be made by seeing the change of water into wine as Jesus' gift to the wedding family. His gift saved the family from the shame of inhospitality and provided joy for the wedding guests.
Gospel (John 2:1-11). At a wedding Jesus changed water into wine. The wedding is not the focal point of the pericope. It just happened to be the setting for Jesus' first miracle. Jesus, his mother, and disciples were only guests. Jesus was not the officiating minister. He was just one of the friends of the family. When he was informed by his mother that the supply of wine was exhausted, he came to the rescue by making wine out of water so that the party would be a success. The glory of God was seen in his power over nature.
Psalm of the Day (Psalm 36:5-10). It harmonizes with the wine miracle: "Thou givest them drink from the water of thy delights (v. 8)."
Prayer of the Day. It deals with God's glory in Jesus' miracle and the resultant faith in the disciples: "Lord God, you shared your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son."
Explanation
Marriage (v. 1) - Little is known how a wedding was performed in Jesus' day. We do know that the wedding feast was very important and could last a week. It was a great celebration, with families and friends who feasted, sang and danced. It was a time of happiness and enjoyment.
Cana (v. 1) - Only John mentions Cana. Its exact location is unknown and does not exist today. It was located somewhere west of the Sea of Galilee.
Invited (v. 2) - Jesus was at the wedding by invitation. He did not barge in on the party, for he was not a party-crasher. He was wanted. His presence would honor the occasion. Apparently he was not a wet blanket at the time when there was laughter, fun and fellowship accompanied by good eats and wine. This is still true. Jesus waits for an invitation to enter our lives and homes. He will not force himself on us. He said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself (Matthew 16:24)." He invited two prospective disciples, "Come and see (John 1:39)."
No Wine (v. 3) - The announcement at the Cana wedding was like the explosion of a bomb: "No wine." How could that be? Who goofed? Was it poor planning? Did more guests arrive than expected? Was the master of the feast negligent? If the festivities went on for a week, a tremendous amount of wine must have been needed. Why was this a problem? Their water was not fit to drink. They drank wine as we drink water. In Jesus' time, the lack of food or wine was an act of inhospitality. The family was about to be disgraced. The party would be ruined, and the guests would go home calling the event a failure. This was no way for a young couple to start a marriage!
Woman (v. 4) - The Greek word is gunai. It can be translated as "woman," "lady" or "madam." At Cana Jesus addressed his mother, "Woman." On the cross he did the same, "Woman, behold your son." The Revised Standard Version translates verse 4: "O woman, what have you to do with me?" The Good News Bible: "You must not tell me what to do." The New International Version: "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Why did he not call her "mother?" Apparently Jesus was teaching his mother that their relationship had changed since his baptism and call to be the Messiah. Now he was more than her son; he was her Savior. Jesus could no longer operate under human authority.
Hour (v. 4) - The word occurs six times in John. "My hour has not yet come." Jesus referred to the hour of his mission: the salvation of the world. It was the hour of his supreme sacrifice on the cross. For him it was an hour of victory, fulfillment and obedience to his Father. To us the cross looks like an hour of defeat, but to Jesus it was the hour of glory.
Whatever (v. 5) - Mary told the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus told them to do. It was a word of obedience. It reflected her complete confidence in his meeting the need of the hour. It was a word well needed, because Jesus ordered them to fill up the jars with water when they needed wine! How ridiculous! Out of obedience comes success. A divine order sometimes does not make sense, but it leads to success.
Water (v. 7) - At an occasion like the Cana wedding much water was needed. It was used to wash the feet of the incoming guests, for the ritual washing of hands before eating, and for washing dishes. It was dish water, not drinking water! Consider the capacity of one jar: 30 gallons. With six jars, they had 180 gallons. By the time the servants carried the water to the butler, it was wine - a generous supply of 180 gallons! Someone said, "The conscious water saw its God and blushed." Was it pink or red wine? This event calls our attention to the generosity of God.
Knew not (v. 9) - When the water made wine was served, the steward was amazed at the quality of the wine. He did not know about the miracle. No one but Mary and the servants knew the secret. Jesus did this behind the scenes. He did not want popularity or notoriety, for his hour had come. He made wine to help out a bad situation. He felt sorry for the wedding couple and their parents. The best wine came last. It is so with life - the best is yet to be, and joy comes in the morning.
Glory (v. 11) - This first sign revealed the glory of Jesus. Glory is identified with God. It represents his power and presence. In this miracle, the power of God was seen in turning flat, tasteless water into rich wine. The presence of God was revealed in Jesus as the Son of God - a God of compassion for human need and happiness.
Application
Relevance of Revelation - 1. People can easily identify with the problem at the Cana wedding feast. An ingredient necessary for the success of the party was exhausted. It is possible to run out of food or drink when serving a large party. No substitute is available or satisfactory. People are hungry or thirsty. The affair is an embarrassing failure. In the light of this we can understand Mary's announcement to Jesus, "They have no wine." To us the lack of wine may not seem a big deal, but to Jesus it was important enough to perform his first miracle. A need had to be met. A happy occasion had to be saved from disaster. A family's reputation for hospitality had to be protected.
2. Today we do not expect Jesus to perform a miracle to supply a material need like food or drink. If we run out of coffee, wine or beer at a reception, we do not expect a miracle. If so, then in what way is this miracle relevant to us? We find that people run out of moral and spiritual supplies. They are spiritually dry, which is expressed in lack of faith, prayer and love. Many are running their lives on empty. Soon they will be out of gas and will be helpless on the highway of life. For these the miracle is good news: turn to Jesus, and he will supply you with the necessary supplies to make life happy.
3. The point of Cana's miracle may be misconstrued. It is not an occasion to discuss the problem of alcohol or the use of grape juice rather than wine in holy communion. Also, the miracle does not deal with marriage and family. Some pastors use this Sunday for the renewing of marriage vows. This puts the focus of the miracle on weddings. Rather, the wedding at Cana is simply the setting for a truth about Jesus. The miracle reveals the power of Christ to transform nature, even human nature. Moreover, the miracle reveals the glory of God in Jesus as the Messiah. This manifestation arouses faith in the disciples, then and now. Nor can we interpret the miracle allegorically by saying that the water represents Judaism, the old covenant and the Law, while the wine stands for the new covenant with Jesus. The miracle deals with Jesus - his compassion and glory - and Jesus is always relevant to the needs of humanity.
Sermon Suggestions
1. The Best is Yet to Be. The wine Jesus made out of water was so good that the steward of the feast complimented the bridegroom that he saved the best wine until last. It was the custom to serve cheap wine toward the close of the feast because by that time people had drunk so much that they could not evaluate the quality of the wine. Presently, we may have no wine or only flat water of hardship and sorrow. But those who come to Jesus with their need get the best in the end. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5)."
2. You Can Change. In the miracle "the water now became wine (v. 9)" was the result of the transforming power of Christ. He can take a life that is as flat and non-drinkable as dishwater and make it like the very best wine. Throughout church history this fact is demonstrated endlessly: Peter, Paul, Augustine, Francis of Assisi, et al. There is hope for people who struggle with temptation, carnal sins and despair with oneself. You can change. You can be different. Christ can make you a new person, as good and rich as the best wine.
3. God's Generosity. The miracle story goes from empty to full! It is a case of God's generosity. There were six jars, each with a capacity of 30 gallons. This made 180 gallons of wine. The servants filled the jars "up to the brim (v. 7)." They were as full as could be! Why so much wine when the party was almost over? Did Jesus contribute to their inebriation? No, it was a display of the generosity of God. He is no skinflint, no piker, no penny pincher. His generosity can be seen in nature by his abrupt supply of seed. Because of God's generosity, Paul could write, "My God will supply every need of yours (Philippians 4:19)."
4. Running on Empty. "They have no wine (v. 3)." The supply of wine was exhausted. For many the gas gauge of life's auto says "empty." We may still be driving, but the end is near. This is characteristic of today's society - emptiness. Life is bankrupt and has no meaning. Our supply of spiritual resources is exhausted. So we sing, "Fill my cup, Lord." Who but Jesus can fill our empty spiritual tanks with faith and love? No one but Jesus. If we are wise, we, like Mary, will go to Jesus for the satisfaction of our needs.
Glory Be! In this miracle we see the glory of God in his Son. The glory is in the presence of God in Jesus to enable him to change water to wine. God is glorious in himself. When we see God in Jesus, we see the glory of God. The sight of God's glory results in faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one of God. Faith follows glory. With faith we are able to recognize the glory of God in Jesus.
Do It! Mary told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you (v. 5)." If there were no obedience, there would be no miracle. Miracles follow obedience to Christ's commands even if at the time they seem "crazy," like taking water rather than wine to the wedding reception. Miracles happen when we obey: "Give," "Love," "Preach," "Repent." Obey and you experience a miracle of the fulfillment of your need!
Sermon Structures
1. Your Life Can Be Better! (2:1-11). You may be dissatisfied with your life as it is. But it can change, it can be better. You do not have to be what you are. This is how you can become a better person:
A. Invite Christ into your life - v. 2
B. Take your need to Jesus - v. 3
C. Obey his commands - v. 5
D. Enjoy the result - v. 10
A Sign of Wine (2:1-11). A sign can be meaningful. There is the sign of the cross - it speaks of salvation. Isaiah gave King Ahaz the sign of a maiden and child to indicate God's deliverance. John sees this miracle as a sign of Jesus. What does this miracle say about Jesus?
A. Jesus is compassionate - answers a need - v. 3
B. Jesus is God's Son - vv. 9, 11
C. Jesus uses God's power - vv. 6-9
3. This Miracle is for you (2:1-11). This first miracle of Jesus is one for you. It applies to your life. It can make your life a miracle. Consider the nature of this miracle.
A. Miracle of generosity - 180 gallons - v. 6
B. Miracle of compassion - "Fill the jars" - v. 7
C. Miracle of quality - "the good wine" - v. 10
4. The Key to Getting a Miracle (2:1-11). The key to the Cana miracle was obedience. If the servants had not obeyed Jesus' command, there would have been no miracle. Obedience can:
A. Make sense - "Do whatever he tells you - v. 5
B. Sound like nonsense - "Fill the jars with water - v. 7
C. Result in success - "the good wine" - v. 10.
5. Would You Invite Jesus? (2:2). Not everyone would invite Jesus. He may make us uncomfortable and feel guilty. Would he cramp our style? Be offended at our language? Approve our antics? The couple of Cana wanted Jesus to be at their wedding. Jesus and his disciples were invited. Would you invite Jesus:
A. Into your family - courtship, marriage?
B. Into your work?
C. Into your personal life?
6. Are You Prepared? (2:3). Mary advised Jesus, "They have no wine." Was this the fault of inadequate preparation? Did they underestimate the crowd? Lack of preparation can result in failure, defeat and disappointment. Every person needs to ask:
A. Prepared for an opportunity when it comes?
B. Prepared to face a crisis?
C. Prepared to meet God?
Illustration
Water to Tequila. The traveler was sneaking a half-gallon bottle across the Mexican border when a U.S. Customs official searched him. Upon discovering the bottle, the official asked the man what it contained. "It's just holy water," the traveler replied. "I took it from the shrine I visited." Doubting him, the inspector opened the bottle and took a sniff. "This is tequila!" he shouted. "Good heavens!" cried the traveler, looking up to the sky, "Yet another miracle (Reader's Digest, February, 1988, p. 85)!"
Jesus at a Wedding. A small boy was asked on a television variety show if he attended Sunday school. When he said he did, he was asked, "What are you learning?" "Last week," came the reply, "our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and made water into wine." "And what did you learn from that story?" After thinking for a moment, the lad answered, "If you're having a wedding, make sure Jesus is there!"
Shortage of Water or Wine? Russell Hoy won the 1988 Pinocchio Award for the best lie. He wrote that last summer's drought was so bad that a Roman priest tried to turn wine back into water. As for baptisms, Baptists went to sprinkling, Presbyterians used a wet cloth and Lutherans were passing out rain checks!
Miracle of Change. Mitsuo Fuchida, a Japanese commander, led 360 bombers into Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After the war he became a Christian preacher in Japan. He tells how Christ changed his life from hatred with a desire for revenge for Americans to one of peace and love for all people.
Sewer Gas to Diamonds. A U.S. Navy chemist, Dr. James E. Butler, has found a way to convert sewer gas into diamonds. He tapped Washington's sewage system for methane gas and used it to grow diamonds at the Naval Research Laboratory by using an oxygen-acetylene torch.
Emptiness - Internal Weakness. When the Statue of Liberty was remodeled, it was discovered that the entire inside support system had to be replaced. The outside copper skin of the statue was okay; it only had to be cleaned. Rust and corrosion had ruined the inner iron supports. If repairs had not been made, the statue in 20 years would have fallen over. The iron supports were replaced with stainless steel. Now it can withstand 125 mph winds. A nation without inner supports of moral integrity is doomed to lose her liberty.
