"from Water And Wine To The Glory Of God" (Sermon 5 In Series From Gospel Of John 2021) Series

FROM WATER AND WINE TO THE GLORY OF GOD

[Message 5 in 2021 series on Gospel of John]

John 2:1-11

Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ

February 14, 2021

Video Link To Sermon: https: //youtu.be/YcFSOZkPEv0

INTRODUCTION:

1.) This morning we come to a bit of a turning point or perhaps I should say a starting point in the ministry of Jesus.

A.) What is different is that Jesus begins to publicly reveal his identity and ministry as the Messiah and Son of God.

aa.) Part of this came as the result of pressure from his mother.

B.) The miracle of water to wine was the first of the public signs or miracles which Jesus had performed.

2.) In last week’s message I read in passing that Jesus had made the decision to go back to Galilee.

A.) Some have wondered why Jesus would have left Bethany and go from there to Galilee and then immediately go back up to Jerusalem.

aa.) Each of these trips would have been around thirty miles or fifty kilometers.

aaa.) Today that would not be much of a trip but inthat day travelling by animals or on foot would have been a trip of several hours.

B.) This second chapter of John answers that question.

ba.) Jesus went to Bethany where John was baptizing to himself be baptized.

bb.) A few days later it was necessary to again go up to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

bba.) Sandwiched between those two events was this wedding in Cana of Galilee.

3.) We are not told as to whose wedding this was, but it was probably either a member of Jesus’ family, or at the very least good friends of the family.

A.) I say this because Jesus, his mother, and the disciples (some of whom were relatives) were all invited.

aa.) In Jewish culture the wedding celebration, and the meals that went with it sometimes would continue for as long as a week.

aaa.) That could also explain why they did not have enough wine for the entire celebration.

I. WEDDING WOES.

1.) The wine was gone. (1:3a.)

A.) This would have been a major embarrassment for the family hosting the wedding reception.

2.) Mary tells Jesus about the problem. (1:3b.)

A.) “They have no more wine.”

B.) Please notice how Jesus addressed his mother: “Dear woman” (2:4a.)

ba.) Jesus was being respectful to her but called her “woman” rather than mother.

bb.) This is notable because Jesus was pointing out their mother-son relationship in no way was to direct the work of God which Jesus had to carry out.

bc.) While there is to be honour and respect towards our parents, there are also times when we must give a higher allegiance to God.

bca.) This was particularly true between Jesus and Mary.

C.) Jesus asked her “Why do you involve me?” (1:4a.)

ca.) While being respectful to his mother, Jesus was telling his mother this was not her concern or business.

caa.) Jesus and Mary were guests at the wedding; it was not their concern to get involved in the issues of the reception nor the shortage of the wine.

cab.) There was a bigger issue that Jesus also spoke of.

D.) “My time has not yet come.” (1:4b.)

da.) We do not know just how much Mary understood of the heavenly side of Jesus.

daa.) But for thirty years she had been waiting for his deity to be revealed to the world.

.01) Perhaps if Mary had fully understood what that would mean she might not have been so quick to push the timing of his ministry.

.02) But right now in the moment of the hour there was a need for wine which also gave her opportunity to encourage Jesus to reveal his deity to the world.

db.) The events of the ministry of Christ all had to be according to the plan and timing of God.

dba.) There were even times in the ministry of Jesus when the actions of man, and even the revelation of Jesus was delayed because it was not in the timing of God’s Master plan.

dd.) Jesus was declaring that even his own mother did not have the authority to speed up or control the schedule of God.

II. A MIRACULOUS WINE SOLUTION.

1.) Though rebuked, Mary continues to push for Jesus to help and so speaks to the servants.

A.) “Do whatever he tells you to do.” (1:5)

aa.) Mary ignores the rebuke of Jesus and speaks instead to the servants.

2.) Jesus miraculously deals with the problem.

A.) John 2: 6-7

B.) “Fill the jars with water.” (2:7a)

ba.) Scripture states these water jars were for the ceremonial washings in Jewish worship.

baa.) Scripture tells us this, and it is further proven in that they were made of stone (probably limestone.)