CSSA 1-4-04 - THE WEDDING IN CANA

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79. THE WEDDING IN CANA

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him"

Aim

To show how Jesus first showed his power in the miracle of turning water into wine

The power that Jesus had, the power of the Holy Spirit, had been given to him by God at his baptism. His disciples had not yet seen him use this power. They believed what John the Baptist told them, that he was "the Lamb of God" (John 1:36) and they followed him. They listened to his word and became his disciples, but when they saw his miracles, they were convinced that he was the Christ.

John 2:1-11

THE WINE RUNS OUT: John 2:1-4

Very soon after Jesus had gathered his first few followers around him, he was invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. His mother Mary was there and his disciples also were invited. A wedding was always a happy occasion. In those days the feasting and rejoicing with family and friends sometimes lasted for days.

Something happened at this wedding which could have spoiled the pleasure of the occasion and brought disgrace on the host - the wine ran out before the feast had ended. When Mary discovered this embarrassing situation, she said to Jesus, "They have no wine" (v3). Jesus realised that she was hoping he could help and he said to her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" (v4). He wanted his mother to understand that whatever he did from now on, since his baptism, he did to please God. As much as he loved his mother and wanted to please her, he must do his Father's work only. It was not yet time for him to be known publicly to all men. Nevertheless he did perform a miracle at this time as the first sign to his disciples and those gathered at the wedding that he was the Christ.

WATER INTO WINE: John 2:5-10

Mary seemed to get the impression that Jesus would help. She said to the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (v5).

At the entrance to the house there were six large stone waterpots. They were there so that the guests could wash their hands before eating, not because they were dirty, but it was a custom of the Jews (see Mark 7:3). Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the waterpots with water". When they were filled to the brim, he told them to draw out and take it in to the ruler of the feast. It seemed a strange order, yet Mary had told them to do whatever he commanded. To their amazement, they drew out - not water, but wine from those very large jars that they themselves had filled with water. When the ruler of the feast tasted that wine, he congratulated the bridegroom for providing such excellent quality Most people would pour the best out first, "but", he said, "thou has kept the good wine until now" (v10).

WHY JESUS PERFORMED MIRACLES: John 2:22

The power of God is greater than any power man can have. You may remember when God sent plagues upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians that the magicians tried to copy Moses. By their trickery, it looked at first as if they could too, but even they had to admit that it was God's power at work through Moses. So in the miracles Jesus performed he was showing the people what great power God had given him. He was the Son of God and God was with him. In Acts 2:22 Peter describes him as "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you". In John 2:11 we are told: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him". This was just what God intended - the people saw the miracles and believed his words. In this way the Lord Jesus Christ taught the people to give honour to God, for it was God that had given him the power of the Holy Spirit.

LESSON FOR US

In all the miracles that Jesus did he set out to teach the people particular lessons. This was the first miracle Jesus did and it taught a very important lesson. The waterpots were there "after the manner of the purifying of the Jews" (v6). The water was to wash the body. It made them feel clean, but it could not make a man clean within, that is, in his heart, Jesus taught that we should be "pure in heart" (Matt. 5:8). The words that Jesus spoke could change a man and make him clean within. When we read the Word of God and think about it and keep it in our hearts, it changes us. Let us then read that Word daily and God will be pleased to see that change in us.

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