Expectations Series

Questions From The Book of John

Part 4

Mount Vernon

04/13/04

Expectations

(John 2:1-11)

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 was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

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.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And 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.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. KJV

Introduction: We see in our text that Jesus is in Cana of Galilee. Jesus, his mother, and the disciples that he has called thus far in chapter one have been invited to a wedding. Most scholars believe that this must have been a relative of Mary’s. Whatever the reason for being there, Jesus has chosen to be in attendance.

We have seen that Jesus is in the process of beginning His earthly ministry. John the Baptist has prepared the way in John chapter one, and Jesus has begun to call out his disciples. Chapter two Jesus now begins to show to the Jews on whose authority that he has come. He begins to prove His deity. He begins to prove His power.

What can we learn from this passage of scripture. I believe this text is more than just letting us know when Christ began His ministry.

I want to look at Mary’s request and Jesus’ reaction.

Our text tells us in verse three, “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.” It seems to me that Mary was very concerned that the wine was gone. Mary may have been one of those women who has a very sensitive heart and knew that the family of the bride and groom would be very embarrassed knowing that there was not enough wine. Can you imagine how the family would feel? So Mary’s request to Jesus may have been a simple request for help. “Jesus you and your friends go down to the local store and get some more wine.” I don’t believe that this is what Mary had in mind. Mary knew who Jesus was. Mary understood that this was the Son of God. Mary had expectation because of who Jesus was.

I want to look at expectations this morning. Let me ask you this, What are your expectations? We all have expectations. I expect that when I get in my van that it will start. I expect that when I get up in the morning that I’m going to make it through the day. I expect that my family will love and respect me. I expect that you are going to listen to the sermon. There are a lot of things that I expect. Our expectations will determine our course of action. If I don’t expect there to be any food at the house I will stop and get something for us to eat. If I expect to run out of gas in my van I will stop and put gas in the van. If I expect my wife to get upset about something that I have done or not done I will avoid telling heror doing it. Expectations determine our action. Mary had expectations. She knew that Jesus could help. Let’s look at expectations.

1.)Living In Expectation: (Vs. 3)

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

The Bible says, “that we have not because we ask not.” We don’t see Jesus move because we don’t believe that He will or can move. Living in expectation………

a.)Says God can, I can’t. (Daniel 3:29)

29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."