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4. Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1–12)
JOHN 2:1-10
1 The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”
Jesus led his disciples from the vale of repentance round the Baptist in the Jordan gorge, to the hills of Galilee to take part in the joys of a wedding. This journey of 100 kilometers shows us the radical change between the two Testaments. No longer would believers dwell in the shadow of Law, but in the joy of righteousness with Jesus the rising Sun and giver of Peace.
Jesus was not an ascetic as the Baptist was and for that reason the departure of Christ with his disciples to the happiness of a common celebration was a miracle in itself. He did not ban wine, since he taught that it was not what entered a man that defiled, but filthy thoughts that came out from the heart of man was what defiled him. Jesus did not reject asceticism or austerity, but taught that these lifestyles were of little use. Our corrupt hearts need a new nature and a new birth. What the Bible forbids is drunkenness and alcoholism.
The disciples accompanied Jesus to the feast, while Nathanael was himself from Cana (21:2). It seems the mother of Jesus was acquainted with the bridegroom’s family. The assumption is that Joseph had already died. Mary had become a widow, and Jesus played the part of the firstborn responsible for the family.
So his mother turned to him for help in meeting the need of their relatives. Since his return from the Jordan, no longer an ordinary man, but transformed by the Holy Spirit moving from worldly responsibilities to serve God, a role in which his disciples would follow.
Mary relied on her Son, for she knew his care and love. Her love led to the first miracle at Jesus’ hands. Faith in Christ’s love moves God’s arm. The mother bade the servants to do whatever Jesus said. She was sure he would help in one way or other. Her words to the servants, serve as a motto to all Churches, "Whatever He tells you, do it!" In effect submit to Christ alone; obedience to Jesus’ word brings about many miracles.
Purification jars, empty and spacious, with a capacity of 600 liters were filled. This shows that the guests had made use of large quantities of water for cleansing. A different purifying is needed when Jesus is present. No man can participate in the wedding of the Lamb until he has been thoroughly cleansed.
However, purification was not Christ’s immediate concern. The celebration of the wedding must go on. Jesus calmly changed the water of purification into fine sweet wine. How this was performed we do not know. But we know from this event that his shed blood is sufficient for all partakers in the Lamb’s wedding. This has no bearing on drunkenness. The Holy Spirit does not permit any drunken conduct. But the plentiful supply of sweet wine symbolizes the infinite measure of Christ’s forgiveness of the sins of mankind. May all partake of heaven’s joys. All receive with thanksgiving the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper, a symbol of Christ’s presence – bestowing pardon as we rest in his joy.
JOHN 2:11-12
11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. 12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.
The disciples were amazed at Christ’s creative ability, and they felt his authority over natural phenomena. They saw his glory and believed that God had sent him. This led to trust in him. Faith needs time to grow, and obedience for understanding. If you study the works of Jesus, and delve deeply into his sayings, you will realize the greatness of his person.
Jesus broke away from his family and was free from mundane duties to serve God. But his link with his mother and brothers continued. For a while they journeyed along with his disciples. His brothers went with him to Capernaum, the main town by the Lake Tiberias. The disciples however personally trusted him, not simply because of the sign at Cana. They clung to him for good.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you, for you have called us to a wedding, to abide in the joy of your fellowship. Forgive us our sins, fill us with your Holy Spirit. We shall follow you, and abide in righteousness and purity, just as you did and gave yourself for many.
QUESTION:
- Why did Jesus take his disciples to the wedding?
QUIZ - 1
Dear reader,
send us correct answers to 20 of these 24 questions. We shall then send you the sequel of this series of studies.
- Who wrote the fourth gospel?
- What is the relationship between the fourth gospel and the first three?
- What is the aim of John's gospel?
- To whom was this unique gospel written?
- How is it possible to sub-divide it, arranging its subject matter?
- What is the word that is repeated in the first verse of John 1 and what is its meaning?
- What are the 6 characteristics of Christ that John exposes at the beginning of his gospel?
- What is the difference between light and darkness in the spiritual sense of the word?
- What are the main aims in the service of John the Baptist?
- What is the relationship between Christ the Light and the dark world?
- What happens to those who accept Christ?
- What does the incarnation of Christ mean?
- What is meant by Christ’s fullness?
- What new thought did Christ bring into the world?
- What were the aims of the questions posed by the delegates from the highest Jewish court?
- How did the Baptist call people to prepare the Lord’s way?
- What is the peak of the Baptist's witness about Jesus before the delegates from the Sanhedrin?
- What does "Lamb of God" mean?
- Why does Jesus become the giver of the Holy Spirit?
- Why did the two disciples follow Jesus?
- How did the first disciples broadcast the name of Jesus?
- How did the first disciples proclaim Jesus’ name to others?
- What link is there between the titles – "Son of God" and "Son of Man"?
- Why did Jesus take his disciples to the wedding?
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