JOHN LESSON 5
We will begin this lesson in John 2:1.
V-1, "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee;
and the mother of Jesus was there:"
V-2, "And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the
marriage."
This third day speaks of the third day in Jesus' gathering of His
disciples. It is interesting to note that Jesus' mother, Jesus, and
the disciples would be invited to this type of wedding. This is
obviously a Jewish wedding and sometimes they lasted seven to fourteen
days. It was a very festive occasion. These have to be prominent
people in the community to have this large of a wedding. The guests,
as well, would be people who were upper-middle class to upper class as
far as financial standing in the community went. Carpenters would
fall into that category in those days and so would fishermen who owned
their own boats. Both occupations were honorable. This is not a
poverty stricken group at this wedding. Some would think, why would
Jesus waste His time going to such an affair? Marriage, the Bible
says, is honorable. This couple was following God's teaching in
getting married. Jesus also loved people and this would show His
concern for all things His people on earth are involved in. After
Jesus became an adult, there is very little shown in contact with His
mother, Mary. Perhaps this wedding was family or close friends. We
are not told those details. Possibly, word had already travelled
about Jesus' baptism. At any rate, Jesus and His disciples were
invited to this wedding.
V-3, "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto
him, They have no wine."
This tells me that Mary knows that Jesus does miracles. This is
the first recorded miracle, but that does not mean that Jesus had not
done miracles earlier. I feel sure that when a crisis arose in their
neighborhood, Mary had seen Jesus taking care of it. The Bible says
if all the miracles that Jesus had done were written down, there would
not be enough books in the world to hold them. For the exact
Scripture read John 21:25. We know for sure that Mary expects Jesus
to do something about this situation. This seems like such a trivial
thing, but remember this host will be terribly embarrassed if they run
out of wine. Jesus cares for our trivial needs, as well as our great
big needs.
V-4, "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee?
mine hour is not yet come."
I do not believe Jesus is harsh to His mother here. I believe He
is saying, "I am not quite ready to launch into the miracles at this
time". It isn't time yet. There were stages in Jesus' life on earth.
He had spent a time subject to His mother and Joseph. Now He is
thirty years old, the time when Jewish men take on their spiritual
responsibilites. He is old enough now and is on His own. Jesus
possibly does not want this miracle at this large gathering at the
wedding to thrust Him into Hi s period of popularity. He possibly
would rather that would come a short time later from His sermons.
Nevertheless, Jesus listens to Mary and has feelings for the host.
V-5, "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith
unto you, do it."
This in itself is a giveaway that Mary knows about Jesus'
miraculous ability. Now is no different than then. Miracles in our
lives will not come until we are obedient to Jesus.
V-6, "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the
manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins
apiece."
A firkin is nine gallons. Each one of these waterpots had from
eighteen to twenty-seven gallons each. The washings or ablutions had
extended to such an extent that they were continuously washing for one
reason or the other, and these six firkins of water were standing by
for them to carry on these ceremonial washings with. There were
somewhere between 108 gallons and 162 gallons of water here. This had
to be for a large group of people.
V-7, "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And
they filled them up to the brim."
Just as Mary had said, they did just as Jesus told them to do.
V-8, "And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the
governor of the feast. And they bare it."
There is quite a bit of spiritual teaching here. The Lord tells
us to draw from that well where the water will never grow dry. He is
that never ending fountain. We see here that Jesus tells these
servants to draw. Is this just plain old water and their thoughts
changed to make them think it is wine, or is this a wonderful creative
act on Jesus' part? I believe this water actually turned to wine.
Jesus, you remember, is Creator God. Fruit of the vine will later
symbolize Jesus' blood in the communion service. We will see that
this is not just some ordinary wine, but the best there is. Again, I
say this had to be a prominent wedding, because there is a governor of
the feast. By there being over 100 gallons of wine, you know, also,
that this is no small wedding. The servants' act of faith was to
draw.
V-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."
This indicates that this governor might be a guest, but I really
believe he was handling the wedding. This home had servants and had
to have a very large house to accommodate a party of this size. This
governor was very impressed with this wine. It was remarkably
different and better. There is another thing we must see in all of
this. The servants knew that this wine was a miracle of God, but the
world did not. Even those with great authority did not know, but it
was revealed to the servants. We must see in this that God reveals to
His servants the mysteries, but He does not reveal them to the world.
This bridegroom had been the purchaser of the original wine. The
governor wants an explanation of where this superior wine comes from.
V-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."
This answers the question of whether it was alcoholic or not. It
was, because after they had well drunk, their senses would have been
dulled and they would have not known one wine from the other. This
new wine was not of this world. This is like t he best was kept until
last with God, also. He first sent His prophets and judges to bring
the people to the knowledge of God, but the best was saved to last
when He sent His only begotten Son. I believe this whole incident was
kept quiet because Jesus was not ready to be exposed as Messiah at
that moment. The servants knew, the disciples knew, Mary knew, and
Jesus knew, but I find nowhere in this discourse where the crowd at
the party or anyone in authority knew.
V-11, "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."
Part of the reason this miracle was done, was so the disciples
who had just come with Jesus would know that Jesus could do miracles.
It was to build their faith to follow Him. They also know now that
their material needs are of no concern, Jesus ca n supply all their
needs.
V-12, "After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother,
and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not
many days."
We have talked in some of the other lessons how they would go to
Capernaum and probably stay in Peter's house while they were there.
The area near Capernaum next to the Sea of Galilee is where most of
Jesus' ministry took place. At this point, it seems His brothers in
the flesh were with Him, and Mary, as well.
V-13, "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem,"
Passover is not a celebration for the whole world, but is a
celebration of remembrance. As we said in a previous lesson, it was
to remember the night in Egypt when God sent death to all the first
born of Egypt. The only people who did not have their first born die,
were those who put the blood of the lamb over the door posts. The
spirit of death passed over all houses that had the blood of the lamb.
It did not enter. Passover remembers that time. The house of Israel
is to remember forever. Jesus is of this house; He goes to Jerusalem
to remember.
Notes
JOHN 5 QUESTIONS
1. Where was the marriage Jesus attended?
2. Who was with Him there?
3. What makes us realize Jesus was not from a poverty stricken
family?
4. What class of people were carpenters and fishermen?
5. In verse 3, they had no ______________________________.
6. Who told Jesus they were out?
7. How did Jesus answer Mary?
8. Why did Jesus say He didn't want to be recognized now?
9. At what age do Jewish men take on their spiritual
responsibilities?
10. What did Mary say to the servants?
11. What containers did they have to use?
12. How much would each hold?
13. What were these large containers for water doing there at this
party?
14. How many gallons of wine would there be?
15. What did Jesus tell the servants to do?
16. Who were they to take the first drink to?
17. Who were the only ones who knew about the water being turned to
wine?
18. Who did the governor call to him for an explanation?
19. What makes you know that this juice was alcoholic?
20. Where was this miracle done?
21. Why was it necessary for the disciples to know about the miracles?
22. Where did the group go from the wedding?
23. Whose home did they probably stay in?
24. What celebration was going on in Jerusalem?
25. What does this celebration commemorate?
Notes
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