Jesus, The Miracle Worker
Notes
Transcript
John 2:1-11
John 2:1-11
Announcements
Fall Retreat meeting tonight @7
FCA @ High School Tomorrow morning, Bubba is teaching on the Cosmological argument. If you don’t know what that is, come and find out!
Guest Speaker Next Week. Dear friend of mine.
Introduction
Let me tell you about Tess. Tess was a precocious eight-year-old little girl. One day she heard her mom and dad talking in a serious and somber tone about her little brother, Andrew. Tess didn’t understand everything that they were saying, but she got the gist: Her little brother, Andrew, was very, very sick...and they were completely out of money. They would have to move out of their house and move into a small apartment because Mom and Dad didn’t have enough money for the doctor bills and the house payment. On top of that, only a very expensive surgery could save Andrew now...and they could not find anyone to lend them the money. Just then, Tess heard her dad say to her tearful mother in whispered desperation, “Only a miracle can save Andrew now.”
Tess ran to her room, pulled out a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in her closet. She poured out all the change on the floor and counted it carefully. She then put the change back in the jar, put the jar under her arm, slipped out the back door and ran down to the Rexall Drug Store six blocks away.
The pharmacist was talking to a man intently and at first he didn’t notice Tess standing there. She waited patiently for a while and then dramatically cleared her throat, but still, no luck – the pharmacist did not see her. Finally, Tess got his attention by taking a quarter out of her jelly jar and tapping it on the glass counter. That did it. The pharmacist noticed her and said, “Just a minute. I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen for ages.”
“Well,” said Tess, “I want to talk to you about my brother. He’s really, really sick – and I want to buy a miracle. His name is Andrew and he has something growing inside his head and my daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So… how much does a miracle cost? I have the money here to pay for it. It’s all that I have saved. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much a miracle costs.”
The pharmacist’s brother was a well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked Tess, “What kind of miracle does your brother need?”
“I don’t know,” Tess replied, with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my parents can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.”
“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago.
“One dollar and eleven cents!” Tess said proudly. “It’s all the money I have in the world, but I can get some more if I need to.”
“Well, you are in luck,” the man said with a smile. “One dollar and eleven cents is the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.”
He took the money in one hand and with the other he took hold of her mitten and said, “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the kind of miracle you need.”
That well-dressed man from Chicago was Dr. Carlton Armstrong who just happened to be a noted neurosurgeon. The operation was successfully completed without charge...and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Tess’ mom and dad were so grateful. They were talking one night about the chain of events that had saved Andrew’s life. “That surgery,” her mom said, “was a real miracle.” And then she said, “I just wonder how much it would have cost.”
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost… one dollar and eleven cents… plus, the skill and graciousness of a great doctor… and of course, the gracious, sacrificial love of an eight-year-old big sister!
John 2:1–11 “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. Bu…”
Pray
We see the setting of the Wedding feast in Cana. I believe it is important to give a context of where we are. We know in the past few sections Jesus has been baptized by John the Baptist. We know that he has called His disciples, and know that leads us. So we need to have an understanding of how old Jesus is in this point in his ministry. We can not give an exact date, but we can look towards Luke 3:23 “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,”
With this we see Jesus is a grown man.
Keep this is mind, it is important the rest of this text.
Jesus, his disciples and Jesus’ mother are the ones present at the wedding.
Lets look at verse 3
In this verse we see that Jesus’ mom has some sort of role in the wedding. If you have ever been to a wedding as a guest, it is the most laid back and fun thing to do.
Now if you have been in the bridal party which I have had the privilege to be in a few times, it can be stressful. Mainly for me, making sure the bride is happy.
Story of Kyle and McKayla’s wedding. Bridezilla. Period. But there is a massive worry and anxiety to make sure it went well.
This is even more of a big deal for the setting of Jesus’ time. It was found to be an utter embarrassment.
One commentator says this about this chapter
John 1–11 1. The First Sign in Cana: Water to Wine (2:1–11)
Presents were given, and those in charge were expected to supply plenty of food and wine. To fail in the supplies was a major embarrassment for the married parties and their families. The anxiety of Jesus’ mother is thus quite understandable. The failure of the wine here set the stage for Jesus’ action.
With that, we do not fully understand why she is involved in this wedding. But within the method of her being embarrassed and failing the wedding couple. What is her answer? To tell her Son who she knows about all of the promises of who He is.
The Messiah
The King
God
In her mind, this is an easy fix for Him, which leads to the response of Jesus’
Woman. WOOOOOOOO. Means “Woman, what to me and to you?
I know if I were to call my mom, woman after she implied for me to do something for her i would have been beat up.
Once again remember context, context is king. In the context of today it sounds as if Jesus is disrespecting his mom. But for the culture in that day it is different. The perception of a man was a public showing. The man was the one who went to work to provide for the family outside of the home. Where the women were committed to have a private way of serving the family within the household.
But the language there is really signifying a term of Ma’am. Jesus here is saying to his mom. I respect you, I understand what you need and who you are to me. But our relationship is going to be different now. This is the first signs of His mission.
Look at how he finishes is statement in verse 5.
John 2:4 “And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.””
Jesus ministry is not based on his mom, rather it is fully committed to the Father in Heaven. Which is our first point.
Jesus’ ministry is based on giving the Father glory. V. 1-5
We should be joyful, and really a sense of gratitude about this. It shows that Jesus had no side agenda, or side mission. All of his actions were to give the Father glory. Jesus’ response shows his value comes from the Father. His ministry was not set to please man. If he was, he would have not responded the way he did.
Another key factor of how we know this is how Mary is regarded as. John 2:1 “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.”
John 2:3 “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.””
John 2:5 “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.””
Jesus does not derive his significance from His mom, rather his mom gets her significance from Jesus.
Remember John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
Seeking to make the Father known.
Jesus response was built and his looking to the hour was his purpose.
We will see a major theme of the hour to come throughout the gospel of John.
The hour is leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
John 17:1 “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,”
Mark 14:41 “And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Now if His hour has not yet come, why does he perform the miracle?
Look at how the story shifts after verse 5, when the mother of Jesus says to the servants, do whatever He tells you
The entire focus of Jesus’ ministry is now focused on Him. And John does this and says this part of the story for a purpose. The main point of Johns writing is for what?
John 20:31 “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John strategically uses the focus shift from the mother of Jesus, now we can focus on the ministry of Jesus, so we might see the miracles and the works of Jesus. That purpose is so that we can believe in Jesus and have life through Him.
Recap, Jesus is not degrading his mom, He is not disrespecting His mom. Nor is his action of refilling the jars with wine done with him being pressured by sinful humans. Rather it is solely based on the desire to what is going to give God the glory.
Which we see John showing Jesus’ performing this miracle. which is our second point.
Jesus is the miracle worker. V.5-10
Have you ever been in a situation where you have no idea what to do or how to get out of it.
AAP story
These servants had no hope of being able to provide wine, look at what Mary tells them to do, do whatever he tells you.
Mary had faith, in return the servants had faith. They did exactly what Jesus commanded them to do.
When Jesus commanded in verse 7 to fill the water to the top, this is leaving out the ability for their to be a substance added. It shows the true miracle power of Jesus.
Application
You will have times in your life where you have no idea what to do, or how you might overcome it. Well i can promise you, you will not be able to overcome it by yourself. The Lord is the one who will bring healing, bring order, and in a lot of cases bring a miracle.
But remember, what we think is best, may not always be. Look back at point one. Jesus’ intent is to bring glory to the Father. And no matter the outcome Jesus is working all things together good.
Romans 8:26–28 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The Headmaster was kind of like the wedding planner. His response to how good the wine is, is telling. It shows this miracle was not done half heartedly, rather the wine was really good. Jesus is really good. And he could have made bad wine. But He is God, no need to.
Take an aside to discuss alcohol
I want to take a moment to jump down a trail I believe is important to teach on, and it is the fact Jesus is making wine from water. I am sure that over the years you have varying different opinions and thoughts into alcohol and drinking. This is one of the moments where my job is to equip you all as young adults living for the Lord. SO LISTEN ya nerds.
In the cultural context where we are in Cana, it was a more healthier option to have wine rather than just water. The water was unclean, and would have caused disease.
John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Situation
Wine was the staple drink in the ancient Near East. Due to the warm climate and the lack of any means of refrigeration or purification, fruit juice tended to ferment. The result was an alcoholic beverage with the capability of inducing drunkenness. To help avoid the risk of inebriation, wine was commonly diluted with water to one-third to one-tenth of its strength.
Now the dilution was there, however there was still the ability and some had the desire to get drunk.
Biblical evidence will say it is not a sin to consume alcohol.
But, listen closely, it is a SIN to be a drunkard, or to become drunk.
1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I am writing to you not to 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.”
Galatians 5:19–21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”
First, none of you all should be drinking you are all underage. Shoot I am barely legally able to consume alcohol.
Second, if there is a thought of having to have a drink a night to feel good or be okay there is idolatry happening. Idolatry is the worship of other things above God. If you have to have alcohol to feel good, or to have rest, you are in idolatry. This is an example of my dad. Rum and Coke every night he was home. He had to have some form of alcohol to be okay.
Third, If you are Christian you have a witness of the Lord to keep in tact. We should in no way shape form or fashion be a hinderance of someone hearing the gospel and responding to it in faith.
Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
Fourth, what does the culture think of someone who drinks? If we need a drink to be okay we are not okay. If the world finds it acceptable to go out to drink and party and to become drunk, we should do the opposite. We are the light of the world, we are not of the world.
Matthew 5:14–16 ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
My conviction is that I will not put myself in the way of someone hearing the gospel. And saying, but Bubba i saw you drinking a beer at wherever, what makes you different from me?
Also, my family has a struggle with addiction, I know that I could be susceptible to become addicted alcoholic.
In conclusion, it is not a sin to have a drink. But, i believe scripture is clear is that we in no way should not allow someone of the world, a nonbeliever.
Which takes us to our last point.
Jesus transforms lives. V.11
Look at how the disciples responded.
But did the servants believe? We don’t know. Maybe? But we would assume John would have incorporated it is a big deal when people follow Jesus.
This also shows that not everyone who sees the miracles of Jesus will follow him. What is the greatest miracle Jesus has ever done? Raise from the dead.
Why did he do it, glory to God, through that, his love for you
Gospel presentation.
Takeaway
Our life should be built on giving God all of the praise and glory.
We are to pray for miracles to be done.
Remembering God works all things together for his good. He is above it all and over all.
Small group questions
Why does it matter that Jesus’ ministry was built to give the Father glory?
What are some ways you have seen miracles done in your life?
How has Jesus transformed your life? Or has he at all?
Who is one person you can share the gospel with this week?