READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Signs play an important role in pointing us to something important. John records only seven signs (miracles) which reveal the deity of Jesus. 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 Him (Jn 20:31). The aim of this sermon series is also that we may put our faith anew in Jesus and discover afresh who Jesus is. Who can you reach out to who do not yet know Jesus?
We will approach the signs using the framework by Craig Koester:
- Look at the context
- Any Old Testament roots to dig into?
- The whole gospel and relationship to other symbols
- The broader Jewish/Roman/Cultural context
First sign- turning water into wine
Took place at wedding in Cana, near Jesus’ hometown Nazareth. Weddings were important celebrations for the year. They provide the imagery for Messianic expectations as people connect weddings with what heaven and the Messiah looks like. The sign points to who Jesus is, what he came to do and what we need to do.
1) Who Is Jesus?
Jesus is likened to the master of the banquet who presides over the banquet and is responsible for the success of the banquet. Here the banquet is on the verge of failing because of the shortage of wine. It would be an embarrassment to the couple and insult to the guests if the feast is cut short.
Jesus shows he is the true master of the banquet.
He created up to 180 gallons of the choicest wine. In Old Testament, the abundance of good wine was a common symbol of the Messianic kingdom. Is 25:6-8 portrays a picture of the future eternal feast of the Lamb where there will be no more tears, death and disgrace. Jesus is saying right from the beginning he is looking at the end state and as master of the end state he will make it all possible.
2) What Jesus came to do?
Jesus came to provide the wine through his blood to save us.
Mary makes a reasonable request as she knew Jesus had the power to help. She may be presuming on her relationship as his mother but Jesus is redefining the relationship. (Addressing her “woman” was not a disrespectful term in those days). He told her his hour has not yet come as he would follow the course God determined for him, i.e. the time has not yet come for his own eternal wedding feast. Scriptures use the terms bridegroom and bride to depict the intimate relationship between Jesus and his people.
In the larger gospel and relationship with other symbols, Jesus needs to die to get to the wedding and he will purify us with his blood. Water turned to wine is symbolic of his blood shed on the Cross and is part of the new covenant where his blood is poured out for forgiveness of sins. Both water and blood pouring out from his side were fulfilled in Jn 19:34.
The master of the banquet said the best was saved for the last. Jesus’s blood is the best, the most precious saved for the last. Jesus asked the servants to pour water into the purification jars used for cleansing (V6). This is symbolic of Jesus’s blood cleansing us internally, our conscience cleansed for forgiveness of sins.
3) What we need to do
Through the sign Jesus revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him (V11). What kind of faith do we put in Jesus?
- Taste his goodness
- Trust his timing
- Hope in his reception
We are not invited to obey a set of rules but to a feast because the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart. Wine is meant to be tasted before we know it is good. In tasting we will hunger for more and delight in God. As we delight in God we find rest and joy to give us strength to face our challenges.
How to taste God’s goodness?
1.Daily gratitude as we come to God in his word, prayer, worship and reflect on his goodness.
2. Trust his timing
Mary instructs the servants to do whatever he says even though she does not know what he would do and she was just told his hour had not yet come.
3. Hope in his reception
Brides look beautiful in their bridal garments as the groom waits to receive his bride. Jesus clothes us with his righteousness as he waits to receive us at the feast. We may wonder whether we will make it to the feast when we are spiritually tired, faced with temptations of the world, our failures and weaknesses. Remember Jesus did everything to ensure we can get there.
May we posture our hearts to want to taste God and dwell in his presence and trust in his grace to seek, serve and follow Jesus.
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
i. Read John 2:1-11 together. What stands out to you about this passage?
ii. What details do you notice about Mary’s request, Jesus’ response, and the miracle itself? - Recall Sermon
i. What was the significance of Jesus response “My hour has not yet come.” (v.4)
ii. How did the miracle reveal Jesus’ glory (v. 9-11)? Why was this an important moment in His ministry?
iii. What key discipleship lessons were highlighted, and which one resonated most with you? - Relate Personally
i. Have you ever tasted His goodness and how has that transformed you?
ii. Was there a time when God’s timing or methods were different from your expectations? How did you respond?
iii. How does this miracle assure you that you will be received by Jesus when He returns? - Commit to Action
i. What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more?
ii. What is one area where you need to surrender more to His purifying work in your life?
