Sermon Notes:

WATER INTO WINE
The First Miracle
John 2:1-11           January 21, 2007

INTRODUCTION
This is the first miracle that our Lord performs in His public ministry.  It occurs at the close of His first week of ministry, paralleling in importance the week of Creation.  Wine in Scripture = richness, blessing, abundance.  John refers to the miracles as signs because they point beyond themselves.  They point us to the Cross and empty tomb. 

I.  THE OCCASION
The Lord Jesus is invited to a wedding and all its attendant festivities.  To run out of wine was a very serious social offense.  Have you ever stopped to consider how the Gospel is spread?  By the witness of ordinary people talking to other ordinary people, AND by God’s people mingling in society.  Christians need to be in the midst of the culture being salt and light. 

II.  MARY’S REQUEST
His mother asks Jesus to do something about a very embarrassing situation.  His response sounds harsh.  But He is telling her that their relationship will be different from this point forward.  From this point on He is to be free from any human interference in order to be about His Father’s business.  Once again, we see our Epiphany Gospel lessons pointing us to the Cross.  Proverbs 3:5-6. 

III. THE MIRACLE ITSELF
These water pots were used for ritual washing before eating and between each course.  Here we have a picture of Christ’s regenerating work in the life of the believer.  This miracle identifies Jesus as the Redeemer Messiah.  Notice the faith of the disciples. 

 

SOME OF THE SOURCES USED FOR THIS STUDY:

James Montgomery Boice on John’s Gospel; Calvin on John’s Gospel; Gordon L. Keddie on John’s Gospel; R. Kent Hughes on John’s Gospel; Leon Morris on John’s Gospel; William Hendrickson on John’s Gospel; Matthew Henry on John’s Gospel; Bishop J.C. Ryle on John’s Gospel.