John 2:1-11. Transforming Power

I used to be puzzled why John starts his description of Jesus’ public ministry with the story about a wedding and the turning of water into wine? John only includes seven miraculous signs when presenting the evidence about Jesus being God’s Messiah, so why did he start with this one and not some earth-shattering miracle performed in front of thousands of people? Instead he tells of a miracle performed in front of his disciples and some waiters. There must surely be something else going on here.

In the previous passage Nathanael had concluded that Jesus is indeed the ‘Son of God’ but Jesus replied calling himself the ‘Son of Man’. The Jews were expecting an all triumphant, conquering Messiah, God’s chosen king. Jesus is about to reveal that God’s Messiah is a humble man who is concerned about our everyday lives. John the Baptist was an ascetic, but in contrast Jesus went to weddings, dined out and mixed with the lowest of society to show them himself as ‘The Way’ to God. He is the perfect ‘Son of Man’, God’s Messiah.

Jewish Weddings

Part of the difficulty we have in the west is that we do not understand how the Jews regarded weddings. They were the triumphant highlight of their lives.

The wedding took place in Cana in Galilee, the birthplace of Nathanael, who had recently become a follower of Jesus. It raises an interesting question as to why Jesus, five of his disciples and his mother were invited. Was this the wedding of someone in the family? If so, it shows that the thirty year old Jesus recognised that family responsibilities were very important.

Marriage meant much more than just merriment.1 Sincere Jews would fast before a wedding, confessing their sins. It was almost a sacrament and was thought to offer forgiveness of sins. The Bible and rabbinic writings are full of the idea that the husband and wife relationship reflected that between Jehovah and his people. The bridal pair reminded people of the union of God himself.

After a formal betrothal or engagement, the couple were regarded, in law, as being married. On the evening of the marriage the bride was led by her bridesmaids to the home of her husband accompanied by much music, wine and nibbles. Branches, lit torches and flowers were waved, with everyone clapping as the bridal party passed. There was great rejoicing. The bridegroom and bride were actually called and were treated as ‘King and Queen’ for that week.

In the bridegroom’s home a formal agreement was then signed in which the groom promised ‘to work for her, to keep, honour and care for her’ as well as give her some money. Then, after the proscribed washing of the hands and a prayer, the marriage supper began. This party could continue for over a day.

The six large stone jars, each of which contained seventeen to twenty-five gallons, were used for the ritual ceremonial washing of both the hands, the crockery and cutlery. This was strictly regulated by rabbinic law. It is significant that Jesus often denounced the unreality and hypocrisy of such elaborate religious rules.

It was during the partying that Mary whispered to Jesus that ‘the wine has failed’. How John loves to have double meanings throughout his gospel. Although Mary probably intended to say that they had drunk all the available wine, this also had a much deeper meaning. The wine that had run out symbolised Judaism – it was the legalism of Judaism that had failed. Legalism always does fail, whether it is in Christianity, Islam or political ideologies. This was the occasion that Jesus revealed himself more widely. People needed to know that he was the Messiah, the hope of the world, and so much greater than the petty rituals of Judaism. In Jesus a permanent joy can be found, so much greater than the transient celebration of a wedding.

What Jesus was about to do was to give a sign, but only a sign, of who he really was. He was not a paltry Jewish miracle-monger, he was the Son of God and at this stage he wanted his disciples to understand this.

My time has not yet come

Mary recognised that the eldest Son was very capable. As there is no mention of her husband Joseph, it is likely that he had already died and that Jesus as the eldest son, had to take a leading role in the family.

“Mary said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” John 2:5

Jesus could have suggested that servants rush round to the local wine-merchant. However he has already selected at least some of his disciples who were also at the wedding. Jesus knew the difficulties he would face if his Messiahship broke too early – people would misunderstand what he had come for.

“Dear woman, why do you involve me. My time has not yet come.” John 2:4

There was nothing derogatory about the use of the word, ‘woman’. Jesus used the same word when speaking to his mother from the cross. Its use may indicate a change in their relationship. His public ministry was now beginning. Later, when he was told that his mother and brothers were waiting outside and he replied,

“‘Who is my mother and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” Matthew 12:48-50

‘My time has not yet come,’ and similar cryptic expressions are scattered throughout this gospel (such as John 7:6, 8, 30 and 8:20). When Jesus spoke of ‘his time’ he referred to his coming crucifixion to pay for the sins of many. Mary knew who Jesus was. The angel Gabriel had explained this to her at the Annunciation. As a twelve year old they had found Jesus in the temple debating with Jewish scholars, and he had said to them,

“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 3:49

The miracle

Jesus told the servants to fill the jars, used for religious purification, to the brim with water. Then he said,

“Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. They did so and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.” John 2:8-9

There have been several ludicrous attempts to explain away this miracle. Thus Leslie Weatherhead wrote in ‘It happened in Palestine’,

“The wine runs out. Water is served. Why? That’s the best joke of all. They lift their wine cups as we do, in fun, when we shout ‘Adam’s ale’ is best of all.’ The bridegroom is congratulated by the Master of Ceremonies who carries the joke farther still, ‘Why you’ve kept the best wine until now!’ It only requires a servant going through to the kitchen for a wonderful rumour to start.”

Such explanations are puerile. John tells us that only the servants were present, the guests did not know of the miracle. Would John have bothered to include this story, right at the beginning of his account of Jesus’ ministry, if it was a lie? John checked his sources. He and the other disciples were there. They all knew this miracle really happened. John included it, not just because it demonstrated the power of Jesus, but because it explained the meaning of Jesus’ ministry.

The comment of the Master of Ceremonies to the bridegroom is significant. It indicates that the miracle was not known to the wedding party but only to the servants and Jesus’ disciples. He said,

“Everyone brings out the choice wine first, then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” John 2:10

A glorious sign with much meaning

1. God’s joy is best

Whatever Jesus does it is ‘the best’. This story is based on the joy of a wedding. But such happiness is transient. What Jesus desires is for all people to experience the deep, deep joy he offers us all.

Wine was very significant to Jewish life. The rabbis had a saying,

“Without wine, there is no joy.”

How ridiculous it is to be offended by this story on temperance grounds. Mary’s statement, ‘They have no wine!’ is a poetic condensation of human experience without Christ. There are many Old Testament references to the fact that those who are spiritually thirsty, and have no resources can receive the joy that God has to offer them.

“ . . wine that gladdens the heart of man.” Psalm 104:15

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine . . .” Isaiah 55:1

There are many biographies of people who have chased every possible experience in life only to find that they have nothing substantial. Ernest Hemingway was such a man. He had experienced heady times in Europe before getting involved in the Spanish Civil War. He had been friends with many famous people and had been involved in outrageous exploits in World War 2 but in the end he committed suicide by shooting himself. The statement, ‘All that glistens is not gold’ is very old, probably Aesop knew of it and it is repeatedly found in ancient writings. It was popularised by William Shakespeare in his play, ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Inside Portia’s golden casket her suitor found the telling words,

“All that glisters is not gold—

Often have you heard that told.

Many a man his life hath sold

But my outside to behold.

Gilded tombs do worms enfold.”

What appears to be real may just have the appearances of reality. There is nothing wrong with the natural joys of life but the time will come to all of us when these will no longer satisfy. Solomon discovered,

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14

Real peace and joy are only to be found in a relationship with God and that is what Jesus offers. Jesus gives us real joy,

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, . . .” Galatians 5:22

Hours before his death, Jesus had said to his disciples,

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

Joy, resulting from the relationship with God, is a key feature in the Bible. The word is used 242 times! Even as we suffer from the problems of age this joy remains,

“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The
LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” Psalm 92:14

Just as the context of this joy was a wedding, so joy comes to us through being betrothed to Christ.

It is surely no coincidence that the first miracle of Jesus was at a joyful wedding and the final picture in John’s book of Revelation is a description of the wedding of the Lamb. The church is described as ‘a bride beautifully dressed for her husband’ (Revelation 21:2). Then God and his people will live together,

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3

John even refers to the drink of life that God will supply, this drink also starts as water!

“To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation 21:6

The church is described as pure, shining like jewels, and is built on the teaching of Christ given through his apostles,

“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. . . It shone with the glory of God.” Revelation 21:9

“The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:14

People of all nations are able to come and be part of and enjoy this ideal wedding. Indeed the message of the bride, that is the church, to everyone is the message of God,

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty let him take of the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17

The reality of the wedding feast and the invitation to be part of it is the beginning and end of John’s gospel and book of Revelation just as it is the beginning and end of the Christian message.

2. Jesus meets our need

It is striking that most people become Christians when they face a personal need. In this opening story, Jesus steps in at a point of need. John deliberately begins his account of Jesus’ public ministry with a private need, not with a riveting sermon on the temple steps. The new creation has nothing to do with church services, religious buildings, or priests but with our turning to the only person who can help. To many people, Christianity is understood in terms of church buildings and clergy. Jesus wants us to know that the only true religion is a personal relationship with himself.

In this story, Jewish purification jars were used to produce the new wine. Religion is not man’s need – it is Christ himself. The theologian F.F.Bruce has said,

“Christ has changed the water of Jewish purification into wine of the new age.”

The next story that John recounts emphasises that religion, symbolised by the temple and its sacrifices, are misleading people. It is Christ who must be pivotal, not religion.

3. Jesus reverses the natural order

John includes the comment that it is usual for the best wine to be given first and for the second rate wine to come later, when people are somewhat befuddled. In the tennis world the great players, such as John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer can only stay at the top for a limited time. Everything has a natural decline which eventually results in death. Jesus reverses this. He was later to say

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

Everything in life is downhill, but Jesus reverses this order. He makes water into wine, death becomes life. A friend of mine who had become a Christian later in life was dying in the local hospice. He said,

“I have no fear of dying. I know the Lord Jesus and have great confidence in him. He will bring me to the new life.”

What a joy the Christian message is. Jesus said later,

“The thief comes only to to steal and to destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

What a silly idea it is that if a person becomes a Christian it will spoil his life. The truth is the opposite. It is sin that destroys people’s lives not obedience to Jesus Christ. When Christ comes as a guest he brings us abundant gladness and joy. Christians are not exempt from fear and the problems of life but Jesus brings a joy that the world cannot give.

4. Jesus gives a new creation

The result of the disciples witnessing this miracle was earth-changing.

“He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” John 10:11

This is an interesting statement proving it to be a first hand account and not written in the second century. The first chapter of John has claimed that the disciples already believed. Anyone trying to fabricate a story would surely say, ‘After this miracle everyone was immensely impressed and many outsiders believed.’ However John records that only a few knew what really happened, only the stewards and Jesus’ disciples ‘manifest his glory’.

Jesus is teaching his disciples to trust him more and more. Jesus says that spiritual life is what really matters. The church has always understood that faith in Jesus is God’s message.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

What a disaster it is when today’s church focuses on meeting people’s physical needs and not on their spiritual needs. Jesus did both but for him teaching about the kingdom of God was his priority. In a national newspaper Valerie Pitt eloquently pleaded that churches should stand up for the rights of the poor. A senior church leader replied. He didn’t disagree but added,

“ . . . but this is not the only argument. What I hear church’s critics saying is that it (the church) is going the world’s way and concentrating on material poverty and hence, by implication, on economic salvation rather than on spiritual poverty. Yesterday’s church took it for granted that the purpose of the church was spiritual development – to find one’s way to heaven was every person’s first duty. Today these priorities have been reversed and the church allows itself to be heard echoing materialistic and incidentally Marxist assumptions, when it pleads for economic justice.

Meanwhile todays Lazarus2, in Europe anyway, is not likely to be nursing an empty belly so much as an empty soul, dying, that is, for want of anything worth living for. Unless the church in our society can give young people a diet which feeds this hunger, they will eat from the scraps that fall from the rich man’s table or TV set, sex and violence, punk and anarchy, with cannabis and glue for sweetness. The evidence of hunger is plain to see. In a Coventry bookshop the shelves marked ‘Religion’ contain only a third of Christian books and another third on world religions . . . What should concern the church is that a further third of the shelves are filled with books on astrology, palmistry, black magic, Tarot cards and all the flotsam and jetsam of curiosity and superstition, that swirls around in every age where living faith has ebbed.”

This is a striking critique of some churches. In Christ we have someone who slakes the thirst of men and women. Churches must focus on obeying Jesus; he told us what our focus must be,

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them everything I have commended you. And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

John puts this beautifully, by saying that the jars of ritual purification are only filled with water but God wants people to drink of the wine that Jesus alone can give them.

Who is Jesus most concerned about?

The only people who knew about this miracle were the disciples and the servants. Early in Jesus’ ministry he often urged those he had healed not to speak about it. He surely did this so that he had time to continue teaching and training his disciples for their life’s ministry. This priority helps us understand much of what Jesus emphasised and why he repeatedly took his disciples away to teach them after a public ministry.

BVP

1Alfred Edersheim, ‘The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah’ Pickering and Inglis, Book 1 p. 351-357

2This refers to the Jesus’ parable of Dives and Lazarus told in Luke 16:19-31