Miracle CPR
Fortifying the Foundations #5
John 2:1-11
3-30-03
Intro:
This morning our text is found in John 2:1-11. As you recall from Chapter 1 Jesus has been identified as the Messiah in John the Baptist’s meetings. The first day Jesus was there John recognized Him in the crowd and announced Messiah’s presence there but did not identify Jesus to the people. The second day as Jesus approached John in the meeting John pointed to Jesus and made his famous introduction, “Look, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” The day following day the first five or six disciples began to gather around Jesus. They left the area in the Jordan Valley where John had been preaching and began a two day journey on foot- about sixty or seventy miles north to Cana of Galilee, Nathanael’s home town which incidentally was only about three or four miles from Nazareth[1] where Jesus had grown up. Our story today begins on the third day[2] after their two-day journey. Please follow with me as we read:
John 2:1-11
2:1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and 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 10and 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." 11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. NIV
In that last verse John tells us the point of this story. This is Jesus’ first miracle. It is a revelation of the glory of Christ, a demonstration of His power and character. It is significant in the development of the disciples’ faith.
There is a lot of information we would like to have that John simply does not give us. Who were the bride and groom? They were probably close friends to Jesus’ family—maybe one of them was even a relative. We can guess that from the influence Mary demonstrates as she directs the servants. But the bride and groom are not named and we really don’t know who they were.
Exactly when did the water turn into wine? Did the transformation occur as the water was poured into the water pots or did the miracle happen as the water was drawn from the pots to be served?
Then there is the big question that must be on somebody’s mind this morning—
What kind of wine was this that Jesus made? Was it grape juice? Was it fermented? We do not really know?
Why doesn’t John give us this information? Because it is not significant to what he is trying to say to us.
In verse 11 John says, “This, the first of his miraculous signs…” That is significant. There have been all kinds of fanciful conjectures as to what went on in Jesus’ life as a child—concocted stories of Jesus making clay pigeons and then turning them into live ones, changing people into animals then back again, stretching lumber to its desired length (that would be handy wouldn’t it?), killing another kid, blinding people, all kinds things out of harmony with the nature of God and God’s purposes in the miraculous.[3] But here we have a sure word of revelation about Jesus’ childhood. He did not perform miracles as a child. He lived a relatively normal life as a Jewish boy except that he never sinned.[4] And some of you parents know that’s not normal.
Jesus never did a miracle until after the Holy Spirit came upon Him as a dove at His water baptism. That was His empowerment for service. Jesus did not exercise His deity to perform miracles.[5] He did His miracles as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit[6] and dependent upon the Father.[7] This is His first “miraculous sign.” In this book John will share seven more[8]such signs that clearly prove Jesus is Who He says He is.
Remember John’s purpose in writing this book? John 20:30-31
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. NIV Put John 2:11 in that context. This is the first of his miraculous signs—“semeion”, the Greek word John uses is a miracle designed to point to something[9], in this case the deity of Christ.
This morning we will not spend our time speculating about what is absent from the text. Instead we will focus on what is here for our consideration. We will learn some important truths about what Jesus is like and how He works in our lives. John provides a lot of information about:
1st The CIRCUMSTANCES of this miracle.
2nd The PROCESS of the miracle.
3rd The RESPONSES to the miracle.
It helped me to remember those subjects as CPR: Circumstances, Process, Responses.
Since that was John’s focus it will be ours as well.
The Circumstances surrounding this miracle were quite ordinary. It was an ordinary wedding amongst common, ordinary people. The bride and groom are not named because nobody John was writing to would have known them anyway. They were a bunch of nobodies. Jesus’ first miracle did not occur at the wedding of a king’s daughter. It did not occur in Rome or even Jerusalem. It occurred in a little insignificant village named Cana. This town was so insignificant that John had to specify it as Cana of Galilee.[10] This was small town folks getting together to celebrate the joining together of two insignificant people as far as the world would be concerned. Why is that observation important for you and me to know? Because most of us are insignificant people as far as the world is concerned. It tells us a lot about Jesus’ attitude toward us and His priorities. Would the Son of God step into my little world and work a miracle? Yes, indeed! In fact, He delights in reaching way, way down to people who feel their need for Him and lifting them up.
Weddings are times of great jubilation and light-hearted fun. This was a fun event for friends and family. What a contrast this environment is to the ones Jesus has just experienced. He has been in the revival services of John the Baptist where awesome prophetic utterance took place. Immediately prior to that He was in the wilderness 40 days and 40 nights—hungry and contending with the devil. This is an example of true spirituality (fasting and intense spiritual warfare on the one hand—light-hearted fun and celebration on the other). When a person really gets serious with God he has to see Jesus’ example of balanced spirituality. It’s not all fun and games. It’s not all solemn warfare. It is being and doing what the situation calls for.
Why was Jesus here at this wedding? We know He was here because He was invited. But is this some place Jesus should have been? We don’t know for sure but these people may have been drinking alcohol. It was certainly not the solemn, rigid religious atmosphere that the Pharisees chose.[11] Why is Jesus here? Because people are here, people who need Him.
He brings the spiritual victory won in His wilderness temptation to them in their world. He steps into the common affairs of their lives and in doing so makes their lives better. He will step into the common experiences of your life and make a difference as well.
Why is Jesus here at this light-hearted wedding and not at some hospital, some Pool of Bethesda, where the need far exceeds the need for more wine? He is there because the Father led Him there. He is there because obedience is better than sacrifice.[12] The strategy of the Father is more effective than our most pious plans and intentions. Our ministry is not just a matter of finding where the greatest need seems to be and going at it. It is a matter of hearing God and obeying Him. So here we see Jesus interweaving His life with the lives of others. Participating in the normal enterprises of life. And I believe having a good time with His friends.
In fact, everybody is having a good time. Then the unexpected happens—they begin to run out of wine. To understand the significance of that problem we have to step out of our culture into their culture for a moment. They only had two drink options: wine or water. Uncle Joe couldn’t run down to Git & Go and get several liters of coke. In their culture hospitality was of paramount importance. When guests came to your home you took care of them—to not do so was a major social reproach. These wedding celebrations were not just an evening event the way it is in our culture. These people knew how to celebrate a wedding. After the ceremony instead of going on a honeymoon (and travel in those days was a little difficult anyway) everybody went to the groom’s house for a week long party.[13] It was a come and go event that often involved the whole village. Most people came and didn’t go until the whole thing was over. I also found out something else about these weddings—the groom, not the father of the bride, had to foot the bill.[14] As a father of three grown daughters I think that is a very good idea. He gets the bride and he gets the bill! During this celebration the bride and groom are treated like king and queen. They are the center of attention and everybody is happy for them.
The unexpected happened. How many have learned that in life the unexpected happens—even at weddings? My favorite Funniest Home Videos are clips filmed at weddings—videos like the best man who faints while watching his buddy repeat his vows, the bride who becomes so confused she kisses the minister instead of the groom. Weddings are events where everything is supposed to go smooth but seldom fulfill that expectation. The worst wedding blunder in the Bible is when Jacob married the wrong woman and didn’t realize it until the next day!
Poor Mary is such a merciful person. She can’t stand the thought of the bride and groom being embarrassed by the wine running out. She turns to Jesus for a solution. We don’t know exactly what she expected Jesus to do. Since the death of Joseph (which apparently has occurred prior to this time[15]) Mary I’m sure had come to rely heavily upon her oldest son, Jesus. She has probably heard at least some about the monumental events of the last seven weeks in Jesus’ life. Jesus’ baptism had been a public event and even if Mary was not there she probably knew something about it. With the five disciples accompanying Jesus to the wedding I suspect she knew about John the Baptist’s identification of Jesus as the Messiah. I doubt she fully understood what was to occur next. But she had known from the time of Jesus’ conception Who He was. She knew Jesus could solve this problem, so she turns to Him and says suggestively, “They have no more wine.” She is saying solve this problem and may be suggesting that He step up to the challenge as the Messiah.
Jesus’ answer may on the surface seem strange-“Dear woman, why do you involve me?
My time has not yet come.” The word He uses to address her is significant. In the original language He is not saying, “Mom, why do you involve me? He uses a respectful but more distant term, which simply means woman. This gives us some insight on what’s going on here.
Jesus is not saying whether He will or He won’t solve the problem. He is saying to her—that’s not for you to decide. This marks a significant change in their relationship. When Jesus was twelve years old He had felt His call to ministry. Do you remember the story in Luke 2 where his parents were upset because He had not stayed with the group but had gone and discussed the Scripture with the teachers in the temple? His parents did not understand what was going on but Luke 2:51 tells us Jesus went with them and submitted Himself to them. That had been his relationship with Mary. But now He is being thrust into His Messianic ministry and she must accept a major change in their relationship.[16]
Verse 4, “My time has not yet come.” I think Jesus is referring to the public demonstration of His Messiahship that will culminate at the cross. It is not yet time for Him to go public with His miraculous ministry. That is something the Heavenly Father is to decide—not Mary. Throughout this gospel John reiterates this “not yet” theme. In the seventh chapter He said to His brothers, “The right time for me has not yet come.” In the same chapter we are told “…no one laid a hand on him because his time had not yet come.” In the eighth chapter Jesus was teaching in the temple “Yet no one seized him because his time had not yet come.” In chapter twelve, when the end was approaching, He said, “The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified.” In chapter thirteen we read, “Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.” Finally, in chapter seventeen He said, “Father, the time has come.” From this first reference to His hour in our text to the last in His prayer to the Father, the thought of His glory being manifested through the cross is there.[17]
“My time has not yet come.” As Jesus spoke those words to Mary the message of John the Baptist rang in His ear, “Look, the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus is aware of the end from the beginning. His entrance into public ministry starts a course of events that will ultimately lead to the cross.[18] Mary is not the one to determine the steps of that course or the timing. She must recognize that. And recognize that she does—for she immediately relinquishes control of the situation to Jesus and tells the servants, “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.” That was her acceptance of the boundary Jesus had just set.
We too have to set boundaries with people if we are to do the will of the Father. Of course, our ministries are not as important as Jesus’ ministry was. But still we can not live for the approval of people and the approval of God at the same time.[19] It’s nice when they approve. But God’s approval must be our guiding standard.
Its not easy to set relational boundaries. Sometime it’s a bit uncomfortable. It must be done in an appropriate way but at times it must be done. There is a hint of loving confrontation in Jesus’ reply to Mary. He is very respectful toward her as He sets this boundary. He is a thirty-year-old man. He must do God’s business God’s way—and He must do it on God’s timetable. Obedience is not only about what we do, it is also about when we do it.
Do you have any relational boundaries that need to be established? Don’t do it for selfish reasons—do it consistent with Jesus’ example here. Do it with the same kind of respect Jesus demonstrates here. But if the demands of others obstruct the will of the Father the line has to be drawn.[20]
The Process of this miracle gives us insight about the ways of God.
1st Jesus does not perform this miracle for selfish reasons but as an expression of God’s compassion and generosity. Seven weeks earlier He was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. In one of the temptations the devil said, “…tell these stones to become bread.”(Matt. 4:3)
Jesus refused to do that. Here He turns the water into wine—similar miracles. But the wine was not for Jesus’ benefit but for others in need.[21]
2nd Jesus used what was available to Him—six common water pots. He didn’t send out for silver containers or gold containers. He used the clay pots that were available. He used ordinary water, not “holy water” imported from Jerusalem. And could I suggest that He will solve our problems using what is right there in the house as well.
3rd The miracle happened because Jesus was present. He was there because He was invited to come. Have you invited Him into your house to transform your marriage from water to wine, to work miracles in your kids, miracles in your finances? The key to the miraculous is the presence of Jesus. That’s what we want more than anything else in this house—His presence—not just as a guest, but as Mary had to accept—as Lord. “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.”
4th He involved other people in the process.[22] Could He have done it without them? I’m sure He could have. Would He have done it without them? I’m not so sure of that. God wants to involve us in what He is doing—for our own sake. We are changed in the process of serving.
5th He chose a bunch of nobodies to get the job done. We don’t know who those waiters were. But they know. And they will forever live with the joy and satisfaction of being a part of what Jesus is doing.
6th The miracle involved a lot of hard work. Anybody who has ever carried much water knows how heavy it is. These six large clay pots held between a hundred and two hundred gallons of water. Why didn’t Jesus just transport the water to the pots miraculously? Why did they have to work so hard? Again because Jesus wanted them to be part of the process. The supernatural does not eliminate work.
7th Jesus works this miracle in a non-spectacular way. Most of the people didn’t even know it was going on. Perhaps that was by design. Perhaps wisdom from above enabled Him to honor the request of His mother and meet the need of the situation without prematurely launching public ministry. But it is abundantly clear that the miracle was not done to get personal recognition. It was not done to get a following. It was done to meet a need.
This supernatural work was done in a most natural way. Jesus did not call everyone to attention. He did not wave His hands over the pots with incantations. He did not even command the water to be turned to wine. The way all this came about reveals something about the glory of our Lord—what gracious and unobtrusive manner we see here. We used to sing a hymn with the words, “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus. And you’ll know Him by the nail scars in His hands.”[23] Whoever penned those words knew something about the nature of Jesus. He works His mighty miracles and most people never even see it.
Who knew about the miracle in our story? The servants knew—those involved in the process—those doing the work. In every group there are guests and there are servants. And let me tell you there is a difference in what each group experiences even in the same meeting.
8th The miracle took place as the servants obeyed Jesus’ command. He told them to fill the pots, and I like this—they filled them to the brim. Imagine what went on in these servant’s minds as they participate in this process. They’re out of wine and Jesus tells them to get a bunch of water. “Excuse me, but we need wine not water.” They didn’t know how Jesus would meet the need. They were just obeying. How often do we get into trouble when Jesus tells us to fill the posts with water and we’re explaining to Him, “We need wine, not water.” We are hurting financially and Jesus tells us to give money away. And we want to say to Jesus, “I don’t need an income tax deduction, I need income.”
The water in these pots was not necessarily drinking water. They didn’t have a central water processing facility that sent both drinking and bathing water through the pipes. This was water normally used to wash feet, to wash hands, and other ceremonial washings. This was bath water.
They get the water into the pots and what does Jesus tell them to do—“Give your boss a drink.”
“Are you kidding? First when he finds out we’re giving him water and not wine he’s not going to be a happy camper. But then when he asks where the water he just drank came from—it becomes unemployment time.[24]
I don’t know what kind of struggles went through their minds as they obeyed the Lord. But I do know some of the struggles I’ve experienced. And I’ve learned that when Jesus tells us to do something we seldom know all the reasons why. We seldom know everything He has in mind. I see this group swallowing pretty hard as the headwaiter takes his drink.
When did the water become wine? We don’t know for sure—but I think it was when their obedience was complete. I think they drew water from those pots and as they handed it to the headwaiter it became wine. I love the way verse 7 concludes, “They did so.” When Jesus tells you and me to do something may that be the conclusion of the matter. “They did so.”
Look at the Responses to this miracle.
The headwaiter tastes of the result and celebrates the goodness received. He slaps the groom on the back and says, “That’s good stuff! You’ve saved the best till the last.”
What kind of wine was this that Jesus made? There are scores of sermons explaining that this is unfermented grape juice. There are scores of sermons explaining that this had to be alcoholic wine. What’s humorous to me is that John and the Holy Spirit Who inspired him do not think it is even worth discussing. The purpose of this story is not to justify or condemn the use of alcohol. If you want to study that subject go to passages that deal with it directly. Proverbs 23
gives direct counsel on the subject. “29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. 31Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.” NIV
I am not a teetotaler because I think this was grape juice in our text. I am a teetotaler because in our culture a Christian drinking alcohol can be a stumbling block to others. I am a teetotaler because of what Paul taught in Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8. But if we get caught up in that subject too much here in John 2 we may miss the important things that John is trying to tell us.
What is striking to me in our text is the fact that this headwaiter could be experiencing a miracle, enjoying its benefits, and not even know it is a miracle. Could such a thing be going on in your life or mine? Could God be flooding us with goodness and we just presume it’s a part of the entertainment? The only thanks this guy gives is to the groom. He doesn’t even realize what Jesus has done.
The responses of the groom, the servants, and the rests of the guests are amazing in that there is little response recorded. The groom knew he had not saved the best wine for last. Yet he does not seem to investigate what happened. He simply enjoys the benefit. There are people that God has graciously helped. His goodness has gotten them out of a dilemma. They don’t know exactly what part God might have played in that. Yet they won’t even check it out.
If I had been one of those servants, I think I would have been scurrying behind Jesus and the disciples in verse 12. It’s amazing how people can experience a miracle, know it is a miracle from God—and yet somehow that doesn’t change the course of their lives. That’s an amazing thing. We don’t know whether that happened or not with these servants. But I sure would never want it to happen to me.
The rest of the guests were enjoying their party. A miracle is going on right under their noses and they carry on seemingly unaware of what Jesus has done. They are caught up in something else. Isn’t that what happens at times even now? Jesus restores a marriage and people contribute the miracle to good counseling. Jesus heals a physical affliction and people assume it just naturally occurred. Of course sometimes that is the case. But sometimes Jesus has answered prayer and people simply don’t see it. The striking thing about all these people is not their response but their lack of response.
The focus of our story is the response of the disciples. They apparently watched what was going on. John concludes the story with these words, "He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” In this event these disciples saw not only His power to transform but they also saw the poise and manner in when He did it. They were impressed with the miracle but John lets us know they were primarily impressed with JESUS! Their response was to put their trust in the Lord. That is the appropriate response. These disciples already had faith in Jesus. We know that from chapter 1. But this experience strengthened their faith. They already had a level of commitment to the Lord but by being with Jesus and watching Him work their commitment grew.
God is at work in our lives as well. I don’t want to be like the headwaiter who experienced the miracle but didn’t even know it was a miracle. I don’t want to be like the guests who were right there where Jesus was working but were so caught up in something else they didn’t even notice it. I want to be like those disciples. I want to be watching what Jesus is doing. I want to see the glory of His works and His person. I want to respond to Him in faith.
Are you experiencing His goodness? Take a moment this morning and thank Him for what He has done. Is there a need in your life? Look to Him for a solution—and “whatever He tells you to do, do it.”
Perhaps that need is the greatest need of all—the need to know Him and have Him transform your life. If you will open your heart to Him right now He will come in and change you forever. Let us pray.
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[1] CANA: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft). Also known as Kefr Kennah.
[2] Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Vol.1, Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, p.345. Edersheim identifies this day as Wednesday, the uniform custom fixed day for the marriage of a virgin.
[3] Finis Dake, Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, Dake Bibles Sales, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA, 1963, N.T. page 92.
[4] Hebrews 4:15
[5] Phil. 2:6-8; Matt. 4:3,6
[6] Acts 10:38
[7] John 5:19
[8] (from John 2:11 Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft & Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament. Copyright (c) 1985 by Broadman Press)
[9] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Word Bible Publishers, Iowa Falls, IA, p.1286 (Strong’s #4592)
[10] Although this distinguished it from Kaneh in the tribe of Asher the town was not so prominent that it would be immediately known as Jerusalem or Rome might be.
[11] Their accusation of Jesus is in Matt. 11:19
[12] I Samuel 15:22
[13] Leon Morris, Reflections on the Gospel of John, Vol. I: The Word Was Made Flesh, Baker Book, Grand Rapids, 1986, p.70. Morris also discusses possible legal implications involved.
[14] Ray Stedman, sermon entitled Water to Wine
[15] (see Joseph: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
[16] Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus and Messiah, p.361
[17] Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to John, Revell, Los Angeles, p.49
[18] Arthur Pink, Exposition of the Gospel of John Vol. 1, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1981, p. 84-85
[19] Gal. 1:10
[20] See also Matt. 12:50
[21] George Morrison, Morrison on John, Vol. 1, AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN, 1980, p. 30
[22] Rich lessons on leadership, teamwork and mentoring can not be developed at this time.
[23] I do not remember the name of the hymn but the words made a lasting impression on my heart during my early experience with the Lord.
[24] Robert Deffinba, sermon entitled The First Sign: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine, Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas
Richard Tow
Grace Chapel Foursquare Church
Springfield, MO
www.gracechapelchurch.org
