Jim Gallagher

John 2:11
“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”

John tells us, the miracle of turning the water into wine was the first of Jesus’ miracles, and its purpose was to make His glory known. The word “glory” is used synonymously in the Bible with the word “name” and speaks of a person’s character. When Moses longed to know God more, he asked God to “Please, show me Your glory.” (Exodus 33:18) God responded, saying, “I will cause My goodness to pass before you and declare My name.” It is in that passage we learn much of the merciful and gracious character of God. Here, at this wedding feast, John tells us that we are to learn something about the character of Christ.

John also tells us, this was the first miracle Jesus accomplished. Think about it. The Son of God, who came to save the world, is going to accomplish His first miracle, and He chose to provide refreshments at a wedding reception. Why? I think it is because He wants us to learn that He did not come for the masses, but the individual. He wants us to understand, He loves and cares about each of us. In the grand scheme of things, a family being embarrassed by running out of refreshments at the reception does not mean much, but it would mean a lot to them, and so it meant a lot to Jesus.

What a blessing to know that Jesus never loses sight of the individual. He knows and cares deeply about each of us and the struggles we are facing. I think it would be wise of us to take the advice of Mary and “Whatever He says to you; do it.”

Pastor Jim

Questions for John 2

1. Who was invited to the wedding?  Who else that Jesus knew was there?
2. What did they run out of at the wedding?  Who asked Jesus to do something about it?
3. What did Jesus do?  Did he do it well?  Was it better before or after Jesus worked? (Verse 10)?
4. According to verse 11 how many miracles did Jesus do before this one?
5. What is the significance that Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding?  Consider your marriage or the marriages of people you love.  Take time to pray that they would regularly invite Jesus into their marriage and that the end would be better than the beginning.
6. Jesus has a strong reaction to those doing business in His Father’s house.  Why?
7. Jesus’ anger was not Him losing control.  He did not immediately react. Consider:  How long did it take Jesus to make a whip of cords?  When you are rightly angry about some injustice or wrong, do you still demonstrate self-control (a fruit of the Spirit)?
8. In verse 18 and 23 the Jews and the people were focused on the same thing. What was it? Compare this with Matthew 16:4.
9. When Jesus spoke of a temple being destroyed and rebuilt, what was He really talking about?

Old Testament:
Numbers 21- Look At That
Numbers 22- Distorted View