THE BEST WEDDING WISH (JOHN 2:1-11)
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A question was asked:
“Who is Jesus?
In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception;
In physics, He disproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;
In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes and 5 loaves of bread;
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs;
In history, He is the beginning and the end;
In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace;
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through Him;
So, Who is He? He is Jesus, the Greatest Man in History!
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today!”
Very early in his ministry shortly after he met John the Baptist, Jesus and his mother, along with the disciple, went north from Nazareth to Cana to attend a wedding, where he performed what’s been widely acclaimed as “his first miracle.” In the first section of chapter 2 Mary was the main focus, in the second section Jesus was the key person and in the third the governor of the feast and the groom, and in the last the disciples (v 11). In John chapter 1 Jesus had found four of his disciples Andrew, Simon, Philip and Nathanael (John 1:40-45). Nathanael, the last person mentioned in chapter 1, was from Cana (John 21:2). Jesus had promised Nathanael that he will see greater things (John 1:50).
What do you contribute to the people in your lives, from family to friends? How do you see your life transformed by Christ with Him as host and not guest? Why is Christ not merely a miracle worker but a people changer?
Live it – Admit Jesus as Guest
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
A man used to stay drunk all the time, so much so that his family would have to go without the basic necessities to get by on, but one day he was saved and became a vocal witness for Jesus.
One of his old so called drinking buddies trying to poke fun at him asks him, "Do you believe that Jesus turned water into wine?"
The man’s reply was "I certainly do, in my home, He has turned wine into furniture, and decent clothes, and food for my wife and children.” (William D. Brown)
A wedding (v 1) was a festive occasion, a family gathering and a feel-good event. It was attended joyous congratulations and celebrated collectively by family, friends and neighbors alike. On four occasions Jesus talked about a marriage (Matt 22:2, 25:10, Luke 12:36, 14:8), but this is the only time Jesus was at a wedding and also the only wedding event in the New Testament. The wedding cost a lot of money because many people attended, including Jesus and his disciples – at least five grown men. They were friends of the family, on the bride or groom side. Jesus and company did not disappoint; they traveled 7.5 km to 9 km for one and a half to two hours to attend.
When the wedding was short of wine, Jesus’ mother said to him abruptly, “They have no wine.” Jesus’ answer - “Woman, why do you involve me?” - is “What have I (to do) with you,” in Greek. There is no verb “involve” (NIV) or “do” (KJV) in Greek. It is just a simple way of saying, “We have nothing,” not just Jesus but everybody at the wedding. It was a fact to arouse faith, information to draw insight. It was not Jesus’ intention to discourage Mary, but it set the stage for a miracle. The hour refers to his glory (John 12:23, 17:1).
Mary was often portrayed by many writers as an unwitting, unwise and uninformed mother in this episode, but she was profound in her understanding of herself, her son and others. - smart, shrewd, strong, sensitive and sympathetic. First, Mary was never asked to produce wine. The question was not addressed to her, if you look carefully. Nobody expected her to do anything because she was a woman and she was a guest, not the host. Mary, however, was willing to serve rather than to be served, willing to act than to be asked.
Second, Mary did not appeal to the disciples, even though Andrew, Simon, Philip and Nathanael and other men were present. It was not too late for the men to buy more wine because a commentator noted that an Oriental wedding lasted for days (Bible Knowledge Commentary). The mother of Jesus was very savvy, serious and supers-sensitive. She talked to her son in three Greek words, “Wine not they-have.” No request, requirement or resolution from her; just her remark, report and her response. Mothers would do well to learn from her. Mother and son talk, touch base and think out loud. No nagging, just nudging and nodding? If you notice, her name was first mentioned (v 1) before Jesus was in the picture. She was given full honor.
Third, the best part was Mary’s order to the servants in the present tense imperative mood: DO! She had the relationship with the servants, her reassurance to them and her regard for the wedding couple that won them over. This was the open secret of Mary - her authority and assessment, her audacity and aggression, and her approach and application as you’ve never before!
Do It – Allow Jesus to Guide
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
There were three restaurants on the same block. One day one of them put up a sign which said "The Best Restaurant in the City."
The next day, the largest restaurant on the block put up a larger sign which said "The Best Restaurant in the World."
On the third day, the smallest restaurant put up a small sign which said "The Best Restaurant on this Block."
Philosopher Epicetus said, “It’s impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
Six stones water jars holding 20 to 30 gallons of water would mean 120 to 180 gallons of water. A gallon is 3.78 liters, so we can see that Jesus did not do things in a small way but in a big way. Why Jesus was willing to help the family? First, he was invited. It was not easy to feed five extra men but the couple and their family were very generous, gregarious and could be godly since they have with water pots, possibly for purification. Further, Jesus was never a bad judge of good character, so there must have been something commendable in them.
The other reason was Jesus spending time with his mother, as a filial son would do now that his three years of ministry had officially started. With the calling of the disciples in the last chapter, there was little to no time left to spend with his mother, to share in her life and to show his divinity. Mary was there when his disciples believed in Him (v 11). It’s been said, A picture paints a thousand words. Turning water into wine was the best language the son could leave to his mother to read him, recognize him and remember Him. Also Jesus did not want the couple to be embarrassed, exasperated and empty-handed. For Mary to hear of the wine crisis shows that the servants must be pretty desperate, displeased and dishonorable.
Last and not least, the servants have faith in Christ and they were faithful servants, besides being diligent, dutiful and decisive. They were not doubtful, disapproving and disrespectful to Jesus in any way or form. It was not easy to fill 20 pots of water on the busiest and biggest day in a long while. A lot of refilling, rushing and regrouping was involved. The servants had to decide together, not just one servant but plural (v 5). The simplest option was to do nothing and not to stand out.
Third, if it the plan did not succeed the servants would have a lot of explaining to do to the groom and the new lady boss in the house. Their faith was all or nothing; they were in or out, yes or no when Jesus asked the to fill the water jars to the brim. The adverb “brim” (ano) is translated as above (John 8:23), high (Phil 3:14) and up (Heb 12:15). Jesus desired to see maximum cooperation, conviction and commitment. Their faith could be costly or cumbersome if things went wrong. For some reason, the servants did not consult the master of the banquet. Not even the master of the banquet was involved or informed. After all, the master of ceremony on this auspicious day was keeping busy keeping up, keeping order, keeping track, keeping people happy and entertained. True, servants might not think much usually, but this time they had to make a choice since the groom and the master of the banquet did not know. It was the best of times, the worst of times and no good time to trouble the groom, so they took the risk and responsibility – not the reward for they were servants. Jesus gave the servants all the credit by telling them to take it to the master of the banquet.
Experience It – Acknowledge Jesus in Glory
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The Rev. Billy Graham had just finished a tour of the Florida East Coast and was taking a limousine to the airport. Having never driven a limo, he asked the chauffeur if he could drive for a while. Well, the chauffeur didn't have much of a choice, so he got in the back of the limo and Billy took the wheel.
He turned onto I-95 and accelerated to about 90 MPH. WHAM! The blue lights of the State Highway Patrol flashed in his rearview mirror. He pulled over and a trooper came to his window. When the trooper saw who it was, he said, "Just a moment, please, I need to call in." The trooper radioed in and asked for the chief. He said, "I have a REALLY important person pulled over and I need to know what to do." The chief replied, "Who is it, not Ted Kennedy again?"
The trooper said, "No, even more important." It isn't the Governor Jeb Bush, is it?" asked the chief.
"No, even more important," replied the trooper. "It isn't the President George Bush, is it?" "No," replied the trooper, "even more important."
"Well, WHO in the WORLD is it?!" screamed the chief. The trooper responded: "I don't know for sure but I think it might be Jesus, because his chauffeur is Billy Graham!"
Now some readers might think I should start this section in verse 9, but the Greek text in verse 9 with a relative pronoun “who,” showing that verse 8 has not ended. The wedding planner or the master of the banquet (MC) was so surprised, startled and shocked that he called the groom aside, as if the future husband was not busy enough. The groom, however, was just as clueless as the master of the banquet, but now was not the time decline the compliments or debate the claim. The “cheaper” (v 10) is translated as worse (John 2:10), younger (Rom 9:12), under (1 Tim 5:9) and less (Heb 7:7). It means smaller (in size, quantity, age or quality) (Strongs’s).
The Lord works miracles even though we are unaware of it. Have you ever wonder why the master of the banquet, the groom or the bride have no names. They were not named because Jesus was the focus, never us. Jesus came to a wedding bringing the blessing of His person, and not the presents, and the beneficiaries include Mary, the servants, the wedding couple, the master of the banquet and the guests. In Him alone was gladness, grace and glory.
Jesus was more prepared than the groom. In some sense Jesus did his first miracle on Cana for Mary, the servants and the disciples, especially Nathanel, who was not easy to convince. The verb “believe” first appeared when Jesus remarked to Nathanael, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”
What does this tell us about Jesus? First, he manifested His glory. Second, the disciples believed Him (v 11). NIV translates it as “which he revealed his glory,” but other translations dropped the “which” because it was the main point, not sub-plot. His glory was graceful. His splendor was show-stopping. His majesty was magnificent. In Him was not the amount but the abundance, not just the attendance but His attention, not His authority but His availability.
Conclusion: Jesus is the guest, the host and the Lord of every relationship, each wedding and all households. Even so, God wants us to invite Him, involve Him and integrate Him into our lives. In Him there is no disorder, disgrace and disfavor. Do you seek Him for occasional or ongoing guidance - randomly or regularly, and actively or passively?
