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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: To those who are planning a wedding in the near future, or who ever plan to get
married - a rule you need to know - write this down: “Something will go
wrong.” You can plan and prepare BUT “Something will go wrong.” You are
dealing with different 2 families “Something will go wrong.” Regardless of
locations of the wedding and/or reception “Something will go wrong.”
Something unexpected, unintended, a detail missed. At our wedding a candle cracked a
glass globe in front of the best man, minister shortened sermon. At Holly’s, among
others, we forgot to give the punch recipe to the cook, Jeannette’s folks got lost from
church to reception. An absolute rule of weddings: “Something will go wrong.”
Have I made myself perfectly clear. And I am sorry.
John 2 is a story of a wedding that Jesus attended, sure enough “Something did go
wrong.” But Jesus rescued the day. First record miracle in John. Theme: Please
invite Jesus into your life to deal with the inevitable problems of life.
1. The Party. vs. 1-2
- Weddings are big deals. Great occasions to celebrate and have a party. In
ancient wedding party could last for a week, today one day is enough.
- v. 1 This wedding was in Cana of Galilee, a small town about 8 or 9
miles from Nazareth, the hometown of Nathanael. Like all small towns everyone
knows everyone and probably somehow related - like here.
- Jesus' mother “was there” may have even had a specific role.
- v. 2 Jesus & His disciples “were invited,” since Jesus
invited so others.
ILLUS: Invite one member of the Pierce family, you have to invite them all. We
congratulate Lenard and Joyce on their 60th Anniversary celebration this coming
Saturday.
- Jesus mixed with His culture, not aloof. In our wedding ceremonies we often
refer to His presence at this wedding as evidence that Jesus blesses the
institution of marriage and the ceremony itself. Holy celebration. Start your
marriage off right - invite Jesus to the ceremony and into your home.
2. The Problem. vs. 3-5
- Remember the rule about weddings: “Something will go wrong.”
- v. 3a We know it is a social disaster to run out of anything at a
wedding/party, insult to the guests, and embarrassment to the couple and
parents.
- v. 3b Mary aware of the crises goes to Jesus: “They have no
wine.” Mary wasn’t in charge of the wine, but she knew how to solve
the problem - Jesus was there, she knew He could do something. All those things
about Jesus she treasured in her heart and pondered over the 30 years told her
plainly - her son Jesus could solve this problem.
- v. 4 Seems harsh, but it wasn’t, the relationship between Jesus and
his mother was changing, his public ministry was beginning, but His full glory
was not ready to be revealed. 5 times “his/my hour has not yet
come.” During his last week before cross 5 times “his hour
has come.”
- v. 5 Mary undeterred by his answer, it wasn’t a "no," simply
took charge as mothers often do in social situations and said
“Whatever He says to you, do it.”
- Life has plenty of problems, make sure Jesus has been invited into your life to
be there when a problem arises so you can seek His help.
ILLUS: Often hear - how do the unsaved handle life’s trials? They view it as
fate, or live in denial or despair, depression, destructive lifestyles. Blame
others, blame the gov’t. No real lasting faith, hope, love. Satan blinds them
to the harsh reality.
- How should believers handle life trials? “Tis so sweet to trust in
Jesus.” “Proverbs 3:5-6. 1 Peter 5:7” Mary saw a problem
and turned to Jesus.
3. The Provision. vs. 6-10
- v. 6 Six water pots for cleansing for guests before feast. They held
water not wine. Each 20-30 gallons, total 120-180 - a lot of water
- If each person drank half a pint, 2400 servings of wine - a lot of people.
- v. 7-8 Jesus commands that the pots be filled with water - filled to
the brim, that detail tells us nothing was added to the water, it was all
water. Then draw some out and take to the headwaiter. Thus the servants did.
- v. 9-10 Sometime between filling pots to the brim and time the sample
was drawn out, water became wine. Headwaiter didn’t know the sequence of events
but tasted the wine and it was the best so far at the party.
- It was real fermented wine, not grape juice. Often in NT times wine was mixed
with water to prevent drunkenness. Fermentation takes time, for the best it
takes years. Jesus fermented it instantly, and it was the best.
- The headwaiter (Master of Ceremony) was surprised: "Normal people serve
the best first, then when everyone has enough, the poorest wine is used for
leftovers. Here you saved the best wine for last."
ILLUS: Caution on the wine - common drink like pop today, but it was diluted
with water. Today maybe it would be turning water into coffee. Saved Starbucks
cappuccino for last.
- Jesus rescued the day, problem solved! Now why did He do it?
4. The Purpose. v. 11
- Jesus is the Master of Creation. He can make something out of nothing, and He
can change something to be completely different than originally.
- “signs”= miracles with meaning. They are not magic tricks to
impress people, but marvels to illustrate Jesus’ divine nature and
“glory.” Acts of God outside the natural order of creation,
but natural to Him, for He is the Creator, above and outside His creation. He
has transcendent control over what we have no control over. So we “may
believe He is the Christ, the Son of God... believing you may have life in His
name" (John 20:31)
- If He can do change water into wine, there is hope for us sinners. He can
changes our sinful hearts, our lives, our destiny. He gives us the best, the
best wine, and more than enough supply of His riches in glory.
- This miracle speaks of God’s mastery over the details of our life. His glory is
displayed in what He does for us. Thus disciples believed in Him.
CONCLUSION
Remember the Preaching Theme of John: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the
Living Word of God, who brings us light, love and life."
What inevitable problem in your life do you need Jesus to deal with? Death and Taxes.
Health. Finances. Family. Church. Job. Politics. War. When you let God care for those
issues, He can provide better than we expect. Ultimately heaven is the greatest
provision. But in the mean time invite Jesus into your daily life to deal with those
daily issues one day at a time.
Phil 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in
glory in Christ Jesus.”
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