Jesus Christ is about Transformation
Scripture: John 2:1-11
Introduction: Today as we move on in John we will learn about the first miracle of Christ. In light of healing the blind, raising the dead, and other spectacular miracles you may be asking: Pastor, why was the first miracle important? It is about beginnings – today before you I will lay out the beginning of the miracles of Jesus Christ.
Oh but didn’t he turn water into wine? Was Jesus condoning alcohol – great! Wayne Colley = You know there was a preacher once – if you gave me all the beer, wine, liquor – I’d throw it into the river. Music minister says stand up take your hymnals out let’s sing, “Come Gather at the River.”
There are varied opinions among believers on alcohol, and while the Bible is clear that being drunk is sin in other texts, in today’s text it is specifically NOT a moral teaching. Miss that and you miss what God intends for you to understand about the nature of Christ. You miss that Christ is about Transformation. Jesus has 3 roles at the wedding which are, Guest, Son, and Messiah.
I. Jesus the Guest (vv. 1-2)
EXPLAIN- Notice first that Jesus accepted invitations to social gatherings. Unlike John the Baptist, Jesus was not introverted. Jesus Christ attended regular events just like an ordinary man, and yet his very presence sanctified the events. Jesus and his six disciples had been invited to this event.
ILLUS- There was a popular song in the 90’s that begged the question – “What if God Was One of Us?” - while I appreciate the artist’s ability to be honest about ignorance, whenever I hear or see that video on a TV – I always feel motivated to shout – God was one of us: Jesus became man! He even went to a wedding in John 2!!!
II. Jesus the Son (vv. 3-5)
EXPLAIN- Jewish weddings lasted 7 days! The groom had to provide adequate provisions for all the guests for the duration. It was a serious faux paw to run out of wine. In fact some scholars suggest that it was probably an offense that could have gained you a fine!
Note Mary does not command Jesus to do anything, she simply presents the problem and leaves the solution to Him. What a perfect picture of how we should all approach the Lord!
His remark is seen by many a bit rude, esp to his mother, but it reminds me of something Luke records Jesus saying as a boy after teaching in the temple, “49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” You see they didn’t understand what he meant at the time. Jesus actually is being very respectful – Woman = “Ma’am” in our culture. But, not what you would call your mom. This demarks the line between their previous relationship of son-daughter now moving to Messiah – who cannot be interrupted in his mission.
In a similar situation as when He was a boy in the temple, I believe Jesus is telling His mother here – “My time has not yet come.” - This road beginning with miracles and the confirmation of Christ as God would be a road leading to the cross. The idea of his time coming = a timetable is established for His beginning and His end.
Mary’s response – in faith she gets the servants ready. Wouldn’t it be great if our response when we ask Christ about a problem – expect results, but not in our own time or methods!
III. Jesus the Messiah (vv. 6-12)
EXPLAIN- Note the first miracle of the Messiah of all mankind – the entire cosmos – for all time – is a minor miracle. No spectacular crowds gathered to witness it. No fireworks. No applause for only a few even are aware it is a miracle. Christ’s first miracle was a quiet event witnessed by a few at a wedding as opposed to his last recorded miracle by John in a public funeral before many.
Some of my most meaningful moments in life have been witnessed by but few. When I was first convicted of my sin, when I was saved, when I first kissed my wife, when I first felt God was calling me to pastoral ministry, when I held a dying man’s hands for a final prayer, when someone accepted Christ into their heart for the first time… Joys and sorrows. few.
Here before you is a great analogy drawn from this miracle. An empty thirsty nation – thirsts no more due to the miracle of Christ. The people’s supply had run out and yet the Messiah stands to supply their needs.
We learn much about the redeeming nature of Christ’s salvation:
A. A thirsty crowd.
Isn’t this a picture of the lost world today? They are tasting the world’s pleasures but finding no personal satisfaction, and what fulfillment they have eventually runs out. The Bible invites thirsty sinners to come to Christ for salvation and satisfaction.
B. Empty waterpots.
Representing the human heart, which is hard and empty. The Word of God compares the human being to a vessel. The sinner’s life may look lovely on the outside, but God sees it is empty and useless unless He is given opportunity to work a divine miracle.
C. Filled with water.
Water for washing is, in the Bible, an image of the Word of God. All that the servants had to do was fill the empty waterpots with water, which is like the servant of God filling the heart of the unbeliever with the Word. It is not our job to save souls, but it is our job to give people the Word and let Christ perform the miracle of salvation.
D. Water to wine.
When the sinner’s heart has been filled with the Word, then Christ can perform the miracle and bring joy. In the Old Testament water was changed to blood (Ex. 7:19), which indicates judgment. But Christ turned water into wine, which speaks of grace and joy.
E. The third day.
This foreshadows the Resurrection, since Christ arose from the dead on the third day.
F. The beginning of miracles.
Salvation is the beginning of miracles, for after a person is saved, God performs one miracle after another for him; and the miracles we experience bring glory to Christ. And for the first miracle – Christ chose to show the power of transformation that would come through Him. Where the people would be filled with a new wine. Where the lost would know a Lord. Where the damned would have a Savior. Where the world would turn in its times of need.
Before you today is the first miracle of Christ – imagine how amazing it must have been as the servants in faith or even a bit wobbly took the first dips out of those water pots they themselves no doubt had filled with plain water – and now before them was the finest of wines.
This Jesus – must be for real. This Jesus is authentic. He comes to change not the outside – but the inside – and makes it NEW!
Christ invites you today – experience the miracle of Jesus Christ!
ROMANS 10:9-13
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” f 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
This is the miracle of Transformation in Christ. The first miracle begins Christ down the road that leads our God to be a living sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.
