*The setting is a small village called Cana in Galilee. Even tho this was a small place, weddings were a big event for Jewish people. Weddings typically lasted 5-7 days.
John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus and his disciples, were invited to the marriage.
*This tells us that Jesus wasn’t just a God of judgement...someone to fear & obey. He came to earth in the form of flesh as a sacrifice for our sins but also to experience & feel life just like we do! So, anything we feel or go thru, He understands. He loved, he laughed, cried, mourned, got tired, angry & disappointed just like we do. He was here at this wedding to celebrate this union & to enjoy the party.
3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said unto him, They have no wine.
*This might seem like a trivial problem...it’s just wine, right? But, running out of wine would be an embarrassment to the family - wine was a big part of the celebration!
*Wine is a drink that is alive = (fermented juice of the grape) grapes were pressed...pressing released the tanins from the grape skins -allow it to age - sugar or honey might be added.
(Example in baking recipes +add yeast to warm water & see if it bubbles/ foams to determine whether it’s alive...if it doesn’t foam or bubble - it’s worthless.)
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1 Tim 5:23... use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
4 Jesus says unto her, Woman, what do you want me to do? it is not time yet to show my glory.(by performing miracles) *He knew that when His power was made known, people would keep Him busy wanting miracles & healings from Him, but His main purpose was to save the lost.
*It may sound like Jesus was being harsh but in the Hebrew culture, the term ‘woman’ would be more of an endearment or like saying, “ma-am” She didn’t wait for him to say or do anything else - evidently, she expected him to do something >
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
*This is KEY! Do whatever He says to do. It might not make sense, you may not understand, but we need to realize that He never gives useless instruction.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. *Jews were very strict about washing >
Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
(*When they saw some of His disciples eating bread with unwashed hands, they found fault - Why do your disciples eat without washing their hands?)
What did the waterpots look like?
*According to commentaries, the pots held anywhere from 9-27 gal. each. stone - large - wide enough at the top to draw water...
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
*He didn’t give any explanation - didn’t reveal what He would do - just, “fill the waterpots with water & draw out” He could have just ‘spoke’ the wine into the pots, but He chose to have them make the effort of filling the pots. Trust & obedience takes effort!
8 And Jesus said unto them, Draw out now, and take some unto the governor of the feast. And they did.
*The servants filled the pots with water. Jesus changed the water.
9 - The ruler of the feast didn’t know where it came from, but the sevants knew . After he had tasted the water that was made wine, he called the bridegroom, (he assumed the bridegroom provided the wine >
10 And (the ruler) saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
*Everyone serves the good wine first, then after everyone has drunk a lot, they bring out the cheap stuff
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested (made known) forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (Their belief was reaffirmed)
1. They had a need.
2. Mary knew who to turn to
3. The servants had to obey to get results
4. The wine had to be drawn out
*The Pharisees used the waterpots for ‘purification’ (or cleansing outwardly) Jesus teaches us that He purifies the heart. His love for us by His sacrifice washes us clean by a ‘new & living’ way > His new covenant:
Heb.10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. By a new & living way (His sacrifice on the cross)
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Eph 5:25 ...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
*By this miracle, He was showing His disciples that true purification is not outwardly - but by obedience to His Word. He changed the contents of what was in empty vessels...We must empty our hearts of our old self - our sinful ways & then He will fill us. (Acts 2:38)
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