33 For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts, and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ Luke 7:33-34 NLT
The Wedding at Cana
1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. 9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11 NLT
1b Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. John 2:1b-2 NLT
- Jesus performed His first miracle in a home, at a wedding, and at a feast.
- The life of a Christian should be marked with fullness and joy.
- Jesus always transforms that which He is invited into.
- Proximity to Jesus leads to an opportunity to experience the extraordinary.
- Jesus transitions from a private family member to a public Messiah.
- Jesus had a schedule that was given to Him by His Father.
- The water pots were not intended for drinking, but for bathing.
- This foreshadowed the superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice over the Jewish sacrificial system.
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NLT
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8 NLT
- Proximity to Jesus leads to receiving instruction from Him.
- People in proximity to Jesus, who receive His instruction, and then obey Him, experience the extraordinary.
7b When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:7b-10 NLT
- God starts with ordinary and makes it extraordinary.
- This miracle is an example of a good Messiah working a miracle to show just how good He really is.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT
HE CAN AND WANTS TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN OUR LIVES.
A Picture of Grace
- The couple had made a mistake that was embarrassing, defining, and unchangeable.
- Jesus miraculously covered them.
- They didn’t earn or repay Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
