John, Part 8
Series: Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 1
John 2:1-11
- Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here today; dismiss children
- Begin our next series in John titled: “Jesus’s First Public Events” (short 3 msgs.)
-- Many things we will explore feel “out of order” (written 50 yrs later); but …
-- REM: John isn’t focused on chronology; but on the purpose of Christ (redeem)
- VIEW: John, a young Jewish man, sees Jesus interact with all people
-- CHALLENGE: See the humanity of Jesus; keep in mind His purpose
-- How? By seeing the way He dwelt - it should give us purpose on how we live!
- Read John 2:1-11 / Pray
Point 1 – A Wedding’s Communal Problem
- Need to understand: culturally, a wedding was a BIG deal!
-- Three specific things took place each time there was a wedding:
1. The ceremony and the feast (held on the same evening), then,
2. The couple would be escorted (to their home) through the town streets, and,
3. There would be an open house (festival feel) that lasted for a whole week
o This would produce a jubilant spirit across the city/town
o It would bring the community together to celebrate the great news
- In our text, we see that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was invited to this wedding (v1)
-- There’s no mention of Joseph, so it is accepted that he had already died
-- After Jesus was 12 (temple event) Joseph is not mentioned in any Gospel
- Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the wedding (v2)
-- SEE: Jesus was a social person – He was not a loner who kept to Himself
-- We can infer people liked Him and He (obviously) liked being around people
-- Lesson: There is lots to glean about shielding ourselves from society: “GO!”
- Surely, Jesus approved of the marriage because He attended the feast!
-- If Jesus is the representative of the Father; He would do things that honored God
-- What they were doing (man and woman being married) is acceptable to God
- PROBLEM: At some point, Mary learns they’ve run out of wine at the feast
-- RE: There was still a whole week of celebration ahead: social catastrophe!
- Mary brings this concern to Jesus to help meet the needs of the host (v3)
-- KNOW: Jesus’s focus was bringing spiritual regeneration; not run a store
-- It is why his words are critical … see part B: “My time has not yet …” (v4)
-- BIG: His reply to Mary is NOT of a cynical nature, but “instructional” Why?
Point 2 – Jesus’s True Purpose is Unknown
- REM: John’s focus is different; this is our first encounter of that RECAP:
? This is after His baptism, after temptation, and now He has the Holy Spirit
? This has led to a change in His tactics towards people (Creator > creation)
? This is first time John logs Him being asked to do something for people
- APP: The instruction Jesus gives is one of assurance; “resolved to obey God”
-- It is the beginning of familiarizing them with Who He is and why He is here
-- BIG: No one knew the TRUE meaning of “His time” … it is The Cross!
- So, at the beginning of His ministry He starts out with a simple (true) statement
-- THINK: “This is not the reason I’m here … so why should this concern me?”
- Follow-up: He is speaking to her out of empathy for what she is asking:
? I understand what is being asked, but this is not what I am here to do
? The hour (my time) has not yet arrived where I will really help humanity
? TJ: I believe He knew He was to die; provide renewal; forgiveness of sins
? So, His focus is steadfast: “I have a bigger purpose then being a caterer!”
-- RE: Lots here, but don’t overcomplicate it: His purpose is to rescue & restore
- Now in our text we see something interesting: Check out Mary’s confidence (v5)
-- ? She steps over Jesus’s answer, and engages the wedding servants to act
-- Why? It was evening, wine could not be bought, and this will be horrible
- SEE: Mary had complete confidence in Jesus’s ability to help How?
-- Whether (as a man) He could speak to the host, or neighbor, or send others, etc.
-- … We aren’t certain, but she KNEW He could do something! TR: But what?
Point 3 – Jesus’s Creative Power is Revealed
- Considering this, Jesus saw an opportunity to provide for their need
-- One might say this would be a pivotal revelation for the early followers
- There were 6 water pots nearby that would be used for ceremonial cleaning (v6)
-- PHOTO: Understand these are not tea pitchers; they hold ~25 gallons each!
-- INFO: Had a ritual purpose; made of stone for easy cleaning / reuse
- SUBTLE: In using these Jesus is teaching them something (RE: these are Jews)
? It is Him who has the power to cleanse, to purify, or to satisfy their need(s)
? How? Had the ability to produce whatever was necessary to fulfill them
? APP: Even using their “ceremonial things”, He could be effective in it …
? Lesson: If it is for God, God will honor it (or not) – but stop knocking it!
- The cause for celebration must not be overlooked here … (v9)
-- The master of ceremonies (the caterer) knew this “was” ceremonial water
-- And now, he celebrates what has happened but didn’t know where it was from!
- Big Ques: Is this real wine? Of course it is! Why would they serve fake wine?
-- Stretch: Stop being legalistic and having a non-biblical view of drinking
-- Advice: If you should not drink … then DON’T! But – know this …
-- God is NOT sending people to hell for having a glass of wine with their dinner
- He even teased the host about holding out and serving the cheap stuff first!
-- How come? Because traditionally you’d serve the “good stuff” first! (see v10)
-- This was cost effective, traditionally expected, and yet Jesus does the opposite!
- He brings them the best thing last (consider OT promises …) Psalm 33:20-22
-- THINK: What Jesus did was the reverse of the people’s expectations!!
- For us: Need us to understand that He had to begin somewhere! BUT!
-- He had to show them not just WHAT He could do for them …
-- He had to show them HOW He could fulfill what they undeniably needed!
- SEE: His ask was simple: fill these with water; then, give it to the host
-- BIG: When we obey what He tells us to do, He does what we could not do!
-- DEEPER: If we are obedient, if we will follow Him, the results are His!
The Point:
- TOUGH: When we see the work of His hands, something becomes very evident:
- We either believe that He is the Messiah capable of providing for us, or,
- We deny His ability to do anything for us and call Him, and His Word, a liar
- This passage has less to do with the miracle, and more to do with trusting Him
-- His mother trusted, the servants trusted, even the host celebrated, what say you?
- Pray
