DIGGING DEEP NO. 918 – January 18, 2022 WEDDING IN CANA OF GALILEE Jh.2: 1- 11.

Our Lord was not a recluse (a loner), as was John the Baptist Matt.11: 16- 19. He accepted invitations to social events, even though His enemies used this practice to accuse Him Lk.15: 1- 2. Our Lord entered into the normal experiences of life and sanctified them by His presence. Wise is that couple who invite Jesus to their wedding.

Since Jewish wedding feasts lasted a week, it was necessary for the groom to have adequate provisions. It would be embarrassing to run out of either food or wine.

Why did Mary approach Jesus about the problem?

Did she actually expect Him to do something special to meet the need?

Certainly, she knew who He was, even though she did not declare this wonderful truth to others. She must have been very close to either the bride or the bridegroom to have such a personal concern for the success of the festivities. Jh.2: 3- 4 Mary did not tell Jesus what to do; she simply reported the problem, and Jesus statement simply means “Why are you getting me involved in this matter?” He was making it clear to His mother that He was no longer under her supervision, but that from now on, He would be doing what the Father wanted Him to do. Jesus lived on a heavenly timetable marked out for Him by the Father Jh.7: 30; 8: 20; 12: 23; 13: 1; 17: 1.

Jh.2: 5 Mary’s words to the servants reveal that she was willing to let her Son do whatever He pleased and that she trusted Him to do what was right. It would be wise for all of us to obey what she said: “Whatever He says to you, do it”.  It is worth noting that it was Jesus, not Mary, who took command and solved the problem; and that Mary pointed, not to herself, but to Jesus.

The miracle did something for His disciples. It revealed His glory and gave them a stronger foundation for their faith. The disciples had to begin somewhere, and over the months, their faith deepened as they got to know Jesus better.

What are some of the lessons we can learn from this miracle?

1. In the scriptures wine is a symbol of joy Judg.9: 13; Ps.104: 15. The world’s joy always runs out, but the joy that our Lord gives is always new and always satisfying.

2. The world offers the best at first, but Jesus continues to offer that which is best until we one day enjoy the finest blessings in the eternal kingdom.

3. In this miracle, our Lord brought fullness where there was emptiness; joy where there was a disappointment; and something internal for that which was only external (water for ceremonial washings).

4. Moses turned water into blood which was plague and it speaks of judgment Ex.7: 19; Jesus turning water into wine speaks of grace.

5. This miracle also presents a practical lesson in service for God. The water turned into wine because the servants cooperated with Jesus and obeyed His commands. Several of the miracles in John’s gospel involve the cooperation of man and God; the feeding of the five thousand (Jh.6). The healing of the man born blind (Jh.9). And the raising of Lazarus (Jh.11). Whether we pass out bread, wash away mud, or roll away the stone, we are assisting Him in performing a miracle.

Warning – we must not use this miracle as a license for the use of alcoholic beverages. A man who loves to drink once said “after all, Jesus turned water into wine!” The reply is “If you use Jesus as your example for drinking, why don’t you follow His example in everything else?” 1Cor.8: 9; 10: 23, 31. In many homes, Jesus has turned wine into furniture, decent clothes, food, love, and peace for the family.

While the Bible does not command total abstinence, it certainly magnifies it and definitely warns against drunkenness.