Please turn with me in your Bibles to John chapter 2.

In the Book of John we will see seven miracles that reveal the goodness and Godness of Jesus. We will see Jesus:

Heal a dying boy (John 4:46-54)
Cause a crippled man to walk (John 5:1-18)
Feeding a the multitude with little (John 6:1-15)
Walk on water (John 6:16-21)
Restore sight to a blind man (John 9:1-41)
Raise a friend from the dead (John 11:1-57)

Today we see Jesus turn water into wine.

John 2:1-11 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Back when Jesus walked the earth, the Jews celebrated marriages much differently than we do today. In a Jewish Wedding Feast the Bride and Groom would come together, and usually the whole village would turn out for the event. It was the responsibility of the Groom’s family to provide the food and drink for the celebration. Back then there was no Coca Cola, Mountain Dew, Pepsi Cola, coffee – all things served at our weddings today. It goes without saying there was no southern sweet tea, either. The Jews used wine – a very mild form of wine – at their celebrations. People did not drink wine at weddings to get drunk, but to celebrate. God never gives us anything that we are supposed to abuse or take too much of. The Psalmist wrote:

Psalm 104:1, 14-15 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty. … 14-15 {The Lord} causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

The Bible forbids drunkenness – and the wine that was used at Jewish weddings had very little alcoholic content. Christians are never to get drunk. The Apostle Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV) {Do not} associate with anyone who bears the name of “brother” if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Christians are priests before God. We are God’s Children. The lost person “walks in EXCESS OF WINE” (1 Peter 4:3), and often engages in “rioting and DRUNKENNESS” (Romans 13:13). The Lord tells the Christian to:

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) … do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

The Jews used a very mild wine in their celebrations.

If the Groom’s family allowed the food and beverage to run out, it was a stain on the marriage!

On The Third Day

John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee

It’s very important to read EVERY word of the Bible, for it is GOD’S WORD. Look at the words “And the third day”. What does this refer to? Well, here’s another thing about the ancient Jewish Wedding Feast. IT WASN’T JUST ONE DAY. The Groom’s parents were to supply the food and drink for up to 1 week of celebration. The Wedding Feast is now in “the third day”.

The “third day” is a very significant number in the Scripture. When God led Israel to Mount Sinai, He told the people through Moses:

Exodus 19:10-11 (ESV) … “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”

“on the third day” God would come down from His Holy Mountain, and let Israel see Him. When they saw God in all His holiness “there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16). The people were not glad to see God, for the God of Sinai is the God of the Law. The “people in the camp trembled” because they realized they were so far from God’s holiness and righteousness.

“on the third day” has another significance in the New Testament. Jesus told us that,

Matthew 12:40 (ESV) For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus Christ would go up a mountain called Calvary, and be executed, crucified for our sins. Jesus would be laid in a borrowed Grave, and would stay there for three days and three nights. Jesus said:

Luke 24:7 (ESV) the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.

(see also Luke 9:22; 13:32; 18:33; 24:21; 24:46)

Our Jesus would die for our sins, and rise from the grave “on the third day”. He would descend from the Mountain of God and walk among us – and we no longer tremble, because Jesus makes us right and righteous with God.

Family Matters

Let’s get back to our text.

John 2:1-3 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

We are in the “third day” of this Wedding Feast. The earthly “mother of Jesus was there”. His mother is Mary, and she is related to the Groom’s side of the family. We are told that “Jesus was called” because, related to Mary, He is also related by blood to the Groom’s side of the family.

Family matters to God. When God came to an old man named Abraham in the Old Testament, Abraham and Sarah his wife were without children. God told Abraham:

Genesis 12:1-3 (Author’s paraphrase) “Follow Me. Go where I tell you, put Me first, and I will change you from a childless couple to a GREAT NATION. I will bless those who bless you, and punish those who harm you. And Abraham, through your children I will bring the GREATEST BLESSING on the earth.”

It was God’s intention to one day through the family to bring the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to this earth. This is why the devil in our day attacks the family. It is through family – the family of Abraham – that God sent Jesus to be with us. It is through Jesus that we are invited into the Family of God.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Family matters to God. God designed the family male and female. The Bible says that when God created Adam,He said:

Genesis 2:18 It is NOT GOOD that man should be alone

God made the family. God commands “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). God commands “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). God commands “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right”(Ephesians 6:1). Anytime we see an attack against the family, whether it be “I have two mommies” or “men aren’t necessary”, you are seeing a Satanic attack on the stability of civilization. Family matters. This is why Mary is at this wedding, and why Jesus came to the wedding feast. When they run out of wine, Mary tells Jesus:

John 2:3 … They have no wine

There were no stores where you can get wine. Wine was made through natural fermentation. Grapes were picked, crushed, and put in leather wine sacks so it could naturally ferment. The Groom’s parents are out of wine – and will be shamed if they do not get some quickly. The Soniclight Commentary notes:

“To fail to provide adequately for the guests would involve social disgrace. In the closely knit communities of Jesus’ day, such an error would never be forgotten and would haunt the newly married couple all their lives.”

So Mary turns to Jesus. Jesus Christ is …

Luke 1:32-33 … the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Jesus is the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). There is nothing that Jesus cannot do. Mary knew that Jesus – her Savior and Lord – could fix the problem. Beloved, Jesus can fix your problems. So often we say, “I’ll not take that to the Lord – it is so petty, so small, that I’ll just try to fix it myself”. Oh no, Beloved. Jesus wants us to take our burdens to Him. THE POWER IS NOT IN ME, BUT IT IS IN JESUS. When Mary asked Jesus to handle the problem, our Lord replied:

John 2:4 … Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

When Jesus says “Woman” to His mother, He is not being disrespectful. Jesus came to this earth to “be about His Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Jesus said,

John 14:9 … he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father

The Catholics believe that, if you pray to Mother Mary, the Virgin, that she will command Jesus for you. I believe Jesus used the word “Woman” instead of “mother” because Jesus does not follow the whim of anyone – not even His earthly mother. Jesus came representing the Father. When Jesus said:

what have I to do with thee?

This is an idiom that means “Your concern and Mine are not the same”. Jesus was not dishonoring Mary, but they weren’t on the same page. She wanted to help her family avoid embarrassment. Jesus came to earth not to enable a smooth human wedding feast, but to bring those who believe in Him into the Family of God.

Throughout the Gospels there is NO PLACE where Jesus refers to Mary as His mother.

Do What Jesus Says!

Mary says nothing else to Jesus, but turns to the servants or waiters at the Wedding Feast:

John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Notice that Mary “saith unto the servants”. The words translated “the servants” is the Greek διάκονος diákonos, {pronounced dee-ak’-on-os}, which means “those who wait on others, deacons, ministers, attendants”. Those who were waiting on the guests of the Wedding Feast had a need. Mary told them, “You have a need you can not fix. Whatsoever Jesus says unto you, DO IT”.

Jesus can do anything He wants to do!
Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, God in the flesh.

Colossians 1:15-17 {Jesus} is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Only God can turn nothing into something. Only God can do what Jesus does. Only Jesus can do what God does.

Mary tells the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it”. Just DO what Jesus says. WHATSOEVER. What ever He asks, do it. Only by this can Jesus bring a blessing to those at the Feast.

John 2:6 And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.…”

There are “six water pots of stone” at the Feast, and the purpose of these water pots is for the “purifying of the Jews”. What are these water pots and their significance?

First, there are “six water pots”. Not seven, not five, but six. God created the Heaven and the earth and all that is in it in six days, and rested on the seventh day. When God created everything – humans and animals included – God said it was all “very good” (Genesis 1:31). It was man that brought sin into the world, and death by sin. Not God, but man.

Romans 5:12 by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned

These six water pots were made “of stone”. Clay pots absorbed water, and could hold bacteria. So these water pots were “of stone” to make them more sanitary. These pots – each holding about 20 gallons of water – were used by the Jews attending the Feast. The Jewish tradition was that People were to wash their hands before eating (Mark 7:3; Luke 11:37–38). These water pots held the water that was used for washing the hands. Though people did not wash their hands directly in the pots, water was dipped out, and this water was certainly not sterile!

Jesus tells the servants in charge of this (suspect) water:

John 2:7 … Fill the water pots with water.

Jesus did not tell them to rinse out the pots, but merely to top them off. The water in those pots would not have been clean or fresh. Jesus did not ask the servants the scour the pots before filling them.

John 2:7 … Fill the water pots with water.

Beloved, Jesus does not ask us to clean up our lives when we come to Him. He asks us – commands us – to REPENT, to stop following our own way, and to follow Him.

God asks us to do the possible, and He will do the impossible. “Top off the pots”. Obey Christ’s command. He will do the rest!

In an article I read on this event, published by Revival Ministries International, I read …

“Many Christians want God to use them in a mighty way, but they are too full of opinions, questions, reasonings, and arguments! They say that they have faith, but they really don’t because they will not make a move without an explanation. They want to understand everything before they do what God is telling them to do.”

Murmuring or complaining against God stays His hand of blessing, and can bring His punishment down on us. The first generation of Israel murmured and delayed in doing God’s will, and lost the Promised Land. The Jews often murmured at Jesus as He ministered to the sinners. The Bible says:

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world …

If you would be blessed by Jesus, do what Jesus says without argumentation. The Bible commands us …

Colossians 3:17 … whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Do not do what Jesus asks you to do halfheartedly. Do it with relish. Do it fully, completely. The servants heard Jesus say “Fill the water pots with water”. That’s what they did. We are told …

John 2:7 … And they filled them up to the brim.

Do not do things halfway when doing what Jesus says. Do it all the way. Excel in obedience to your God. We have studied these words before, but it bears repeating. Jesus said:

Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock…

When you both HEAR and DO what Jesus says, THEN you are blessed. Trials will come your way – trials come to all of us – but if you are in the habit of HEARING and DOING what Jesus said, your house will stand. Jesus said:

Matthew 7: 26-27 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

There Is NO Blessing Without Obedience

John 2:8-10 And {Jesus} saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

That which you receive from Jesus is the very best. Christ established a pattern throughout His earthly ministry of command – obedience – blessing. Though Jesus could have created wine – and the water pots – out of thin air, He came to this earth to be the Bridge between God and man. Jesus came to establish a relationship between fallen man and infallible God. Jesus came to give us a purpose filled life through faith in Him. Let us trust and obey Him. Let us take our problems – all our problems – to Jesus.

For He is able – and we are not. May God touch your hearts with His Spirit and His Word. Amen and Amen!