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Water into Wine
On this episode in our series on the Gospel of John, we find ourselves at the wedding of Cana as Jesus turns water into wine. Though some have attempted to argue that Jesus actually turned water into grape juice, the implications of this passage are unmistakably clear. So what is the point being made here in John chapter 2, and how can it be reconciled with other texts that seem to prohibit drunkenness? More importantly, what Old Testament themes are being alluded to here at this wedding, and how does this miracle end up revealing Christ’s glory?
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.9 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 bridegroom10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11)
Host Quote:
“Jesus’ ministry is here—inaugurated with resting and feasting at a wedding banquet with this super abundant grace.” – Shane Rosenthal
“There’s also a contrast with Moses. John has already told us in Chapter 1 that the law was given through Moses—grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. And Moses’ first sign during the Exodus was to turn water into blood, a sign of judgment. Jesus’ first sign is to turn water into wine. Again, a sign of blessing, a sign of celebration.” – Sam Allberry
Term to Learn:
“A Believer’s Struggle with Sin”
1) Those people whom God according to his purpose calls into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he also sets free from the reign and slavery of sin, though in this life not entirely from the flesh and from the body of sin.
2) Hence daily sins of weakness arise, and blemishes cling to even the best works of God’s people, giving them continual cause to humble themselves before God, to flee for refuge to Christ crucified, to put the flesh to death more and more by the Spirit of supplication and by holy exercises of godliness, and to strain toward the goal of perfection, until they are so freed from this body of death and reign with the Lamb of God in Heaven.
(The Canons of Dort, The Fifth Main Point of Doctrine, Articles 1 and 2)
(This podcast is by White Horse Inn. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central, and audio is streamed directly from their servers.)