06th Feburary 2010
John 2:1-11
Pastor Tom Spiegelberg
CONT’D FROM LAST WEEKEND VOICE

We know that later on Jesus heals the son of an officer from Capernaum. And we also know that Jesus was invited to and went to weddings. He went to family reunions. He visited friends’ homes. When he attended funerals, he wept real tears. It makes sense. What it tells us is this. Jesus isn’t just some divine ruler sitting on a throne in heaven. But like John writes at the beginning of his gospel, Jesus came to that which was his own (1:9) and that He made His dwelling among us (1:14).
How about the tug of war between Jesus and his mother. Did you catch it? “Uhhh, Jesus. Did you notice there was no wine? I’m not saying you have to do anything about it, I was just wondering.” Jesus speaks back lovingly but pointedly, “Woman (and before you get too critical of Jesus calling his mother ‘woman,’ remember he called her ‘dear woman’ on the cross when he told John to take care of her) Why are you asking me?” He reminded her that things must be accomplished by His timetable, not hers. And then notice what she did? “Ok, all right… but servants, make sure you do whatever he tells you, okay?” She knew her son.
Consider the details of the story. There were six stone water jars nearby used for washing, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. The servants filled them to the brim. What does that tell you? John wrote an eyewitness account of what he had seen. This isn’t some fairy tale someone made up.
Look at the miracle itself. Think how much wine Jesus made. If these stone jars held twenty or thirty gallons each, then He made somewhere between 120 and 180 gallons of wine. Consider how good the wine was. “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” The abundance shows He can meet all our needs. The good flavor shows Jesus is no slouch. When he does something for us, he does it all the way. But there was so much more in this sign, in which Jesus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
Consider the reason for the wine: a wedding couple ran out of wine. John mentions that this was the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs. Footballers want their first game to be a victory. Musicians want their debut record to be a hit. New prime ministers want their first month in office to be effective. Wouldn’t you expect the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs would have been done with great ceremony and fanfare, press agents clustered around, media kits in hand? “C’mon, Baby, why bother doing if ain’t nobody gonna see you?”

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