John 2:1-11, Mark 4:35
Introduction
An introduction to the study of "The Miracles of Jesus" highlights several key points:
1. A miracle is defined as an extraordinary act where God breaks His usual pattern of continuous activity in the world.
2. Not all miracles are from God; some are linked to demons and the occult.
3. The primary purpose of Christ's miracles was to authenticate His message and that of the apostles.
4. Two principal questions to consider when studying these miracles are: "What does this miracle reveal about the person of Christ?" and "What does this miracle say to us today?"
5. The miracle at Cana is noted as the first miracle Jesus performed, dismissing any extra-biblical accounts of miracles attributed to Him as a child.
Overview of Jesus' Miracles
1. Approximately 37 recorded miracles in the New Testament, varying slightly among commentators.
2. Not every Gospel writer includes all miracles; some are unique to a single Gospel.
3. Many more miracles were performed by Jesus beyond those documented, as noted in John 20:30-31.
4. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) often cluster miracles to emphasize Jesus' divine identity and mission.
I. Jesus’ First Miracle at Cana - Water Turned to Wine (John 2:1-11)
A. This story begins with the words “On the third day,” just three days after his baptism in the river Jordan, and His identification as the Lamb of God by John (John 1:33-34)
1. Jesus performs His first recorded miracle. Jesus performed his first miracle, not at a funeral but at a wedding; not in the temple but in a private home.
2. The occasion of the miracle was a village wedding feast to which Mary, the mother of Jesus had been invited. I find it fascinating that the earthly ministry of Jesus began at a wedding and all of human history will culminate with a wedding at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).
B. The Request that Mary Made. (v. 3)
“And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
1. There's uncertainty about Mary's intentions when she spoke to Jesus. Some think she wanted him and his disciples to leave, but this seems unlikely. J. Vernon McGee suggests Mary wanted Jesus to vindicate her reputation by proving he was the Son of God. However, since Jesus hadn't performed miracles yet, she likely just wanted his help, not something supernatural.
2. Running out of wine at a wedding might seem minor, but in Jewish tradition, it was crucial for the groom to provide adequately. Failing to do so would cause significant embarrassment and lasting shame for the groom and his family.
3. (The Why) Wine in weddings, especially in Jewish tradition, symbolizes joy, celebration, and abundance. It's central to rituals like the Kiddush, blessing the union and inviting God’s presence. Historically, wine signified wealth and preparation, with shortages at weddings seen as shameful. Today, it continues to connect ancient customs with modern celebrations, embodying unity and the blessings of marriage.
C. The Response of Jesus to His Mother (v. 4).
“Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
1. At first glance, Jesus calling His mother "woman" might seem blunt, but it was actually a normal way to address someone at the time. He even used this same term from the Cross when entrusting her to the Apostle John's care.
2. Jesus' reply hints at a shift in His relationship with His mother. Having been raised by her for 30 years, it was a gentle way of reminding her that she needed to see Him differently from how other mothers see their sons.
D. The Miracle Jesus Performed (vv. 6-8)
“Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. (7) Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.”
1. There were six stone waterpots used by the wedding guests for ceremonial washing, as Jewish customs required hands to be washed before meals.
2. Each pot could hold between 20 to 30 gallons, so collectively, they contained approximately 120 to 180 gallons.
II. Jesus and Wine
A. The debate over whether Jesus created alcoholic wine or non-fermented wine during his first miracle has persisted for centuries. Here’s a concise summary of key points that are important for clarification:
1. Alcohol Content: The text implies that if the wine Jesus produced contained alcohol, it differed significantly from modern wine. Ancient Jews typically diluted their wine with water, using a ratio of two to three parts water to lessen its potency and increase its volume.
B. Translation of "Wine": The Greek term "oinos," meaning "wine," can denote any "fruit of the vine," not just fermented varieties. In ancient times, grape juice was commonly preserved by boiling it into a thick syrup, which was then stored in new skin bottles referred to as "new wine." This syrup could be reconstituted into a beverage by adding water, thus preventing fermentation.
1. Certainly, to use this text to justify drinking alcohol is quite a stretch and distorts and twists the intended meaning of this passage.
III. The Results of the Miracle. (vv. 9-11)
“When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. (10) And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" (11) This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
A. Somewhere between the water pots and the master of feast the water became wine.
1. In verse eleven, John says “This beginning of signs (semeion) Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
2. The Greek word (semeion) translated here as “sign” occurs 77 times in the New Testament and is used to identify an act which calls for the exercise of supernatural power.
B. John 20:30-31 emphasizes that the signs recorded in this Gospel are intentionally documented so that we may come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
1. These signs serve as powerful testimonies of His divine nature and miraculous works, encouraging readers to place their faith in Him and understand the profound significance of His life and teachings. By recognizing these signs, we can deepen our relationship with Christ and gain insight into His role in our salvation and in our lives.
C. The miracle stories of Jesus confront us with the question of whether the power of God was or was not revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. They compel us to say Yes or No!
1. The miracles of Jesus serve as profound testimonies to His divine nature, inviting us to consider the revelation of God's power through His life and work. These extraordinary events, documented across the New Testament, are not merely historical accounts; they are divine signposts carefully placed to guide us toward understanding and recognizing the true essence of Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Each miracle performed by Jesus, from turning water into wine at Cana to healing the sick and raising the dead, was a deliberate act unveiling His glory and the nearness of God's Kingdom. They were not just acts of compassion but were explicit demonstrations of divine authority, cutting through the mundane fabric of daily life to reveal the sacred.
3. The miracles confront us with a binary question: Was the power of God truly revealed in Jesus? This question challenges us to reflect deeply on our beliefs, to either embrace or reject the power of God that was manifested in these miraculous acts.
4. WE MUST DECIDE! These miracles call us out of passive observation into active response—either a resounding "Yes" to the presence of divine power in Christ or a denial of the person, work and power of Jesus Christ!
Conclusion
• Ultimately, the miracles of Jesus affirm His identity and mission, reinforcing the truth of His message and the authenticity of His divine calling.
• They serve as a bridge between humanity and the divine, urging us to see beyond the immediate and to trust in the unfolding promise of salvation that Jesus embodies.
• The story of Cana is not just about witnessing a miracle; it's an invitation to experience a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father, to recognize the presence of God in the ordinary moments of our lives.
• Through this miracle, we are reminded that even amidst the routine, there is potential for the supernatural in our everyday lives.
THE BIG QUESTION:
Are you going to allow the power of God into your life today? Its a YES or NO question.
