Episode 3 – The Party – John 2:1-12
The Context
When studying the context, especially as it applies to a smaller story within a larger narrative, understanding what took place before and after the main text is crucial. In Latin the word con means “together”. Joining this with the word texere, which means “weave”, and the most literal meaning for the word context is “to weave together”.
In this section of John 2, we take the story of Jesus attending a wedding banquet with his mother and disciples, where he performs his first miracle by turning water into wine and ask the question of context. How does this small story weave together with the bigger story that is being told in John’s Gospel?
While a chronological timeline compiled from the four gospels places this miracle as the first in Jesus’ ministry, what is interesting to note is that this account is recorded only here in the Gospel of John. Why is that important?
Both Mark and Luke are Gospels written second-hand, from the memories told to them by those who personally witnessed the life and ministry of Jesus. Matthew, the author of the first Gospel, was such a witness, but according to the timeline that he gives in his Gospel, the calling he received from Jesus to follow him didn’t occur until after several miracles had already taken place.
John was the only Gospel writer who was there to witness the first miracle of Jesus. Perhaps there is great personal significance for John in the sharing of the first time he saw Jesus do the impossible. It could be that this was the point when John began to believe that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, which would explain why he writes in verse 11, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” John 2:11 NIV
But the heart of the Christian, the desire of John expressed later in his Gospel, is to proclaim the goodness of God so that others may also believe in the salvation brought to us through Jesus, Son of God.
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31 NIV
In this section of John 2, we take the story of Jesus attending a wedding banquet with his mother and disciples, where he performs his first miracle by turning water into wine and ask the question of context. How does this small story weave together with the bigger story that is being told in John’s Gospel?
While a chronological timeline compiled from the four gospels places this miracle as the first in Jesus’ ministry, what is interesting to note is that this account is recorded only here in the Gospel of John. Why is that important?
Both Mark and Luke are Gospels written second-hand, from the memories told to them by those who personally witnessed the life and ministry of Jesus. Matthew, the author of the first Gospel, was such a witness, but according to the timeline that he gives in his Gospel, the calling he received from Jesus to follow him didn’t occur until after several miracles had already taken place.
John was the only Gospel writer who was there to witness the first miracle of Jesus. Perhaps there is great personal significance for John in the sharing of the first time he saw Jesus do the impossible. It could be that this was the point when John began to believe that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, which would explain why he writes in verse 11, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” John 2:11 NIV
But the heart of the Christian, the desire of John expressed later in his Gospel, is to proclaim the goodness of God so that others may also believe in the salvation brought to us through Jesus, Son of God.
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31 NIV
Time Alone
Along with this book, have your Bible and a pen ready. Begin your time by asking God to place within your heart an unwavering trust that His Word does not return void, that our prayers do not go unheard, and that this time spent seeking to know Him more is not wasted.
Read John 2:1-12
First, here is a bit of history that is helpful to know. During the days of Jesus, the highlight of someone’s life was most often their wedding and afterparty, which was a spare-no-expense-event usually lasting for days. To run out of wine before the party was over wasn’t just an embarrassing inconvenience, it was a cultural disgrace that would shame a family for years. So, we see the concern that exists for this bride and groom in Cana. For reasons we can only guess, Mary comes to her son with this hope that if anyone can save this party, he can.
Jesus is about to make a first impression. The world had not seen the divine power of God since long before anyone at this wedding feast could remember. At his chosen moment, Jesus could have set the bar as high as bringing the dead back to life or defined himself through the casting out of demons or by healing the sick. As bewildering as it may be, Jesus first beckons for his disciples to believe in his divinity by creating more wine for a floundering party.
Has there ever been a time when you found yourself in a dismal situation, and only by the grace of God was there an outcome far better than you could have ever hoped for?
From the time you first recognized that the Christian life is centered on following Jesus, was your impression that such a life is dull and withdrawn, fun and exciting, or something different altogether?
In verse 11 there is one word that dramatically influences the way we understand why John recorded this story of Jesus turning water into wine. Yes, it was Jesus’ first miracle, but John doesn’t call this work of Jesus as such. The word used, which is the same word no matter the Bible translation you read from, is the word signs. “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory…” John 2:11 NIV (emphasis mine)
Part of our reality is that life is guaranteed to have its moments when it feels like the wine has run out. It comes in the poor choices that bring upon us shame with no redemption in sight. It comes in the moments of tragedy that leaves us feeling helpless to fix what is broken. It comes when the long seasons of life feel as though they have reached an endless winter, and there is nothing left but to wait. Such times may leave you believing there is no more wine.
Find the deeper wisdom of God, shared with us in the living words of Scripture. We see Jesus turning water into wine, but the sign, the greater significance of this first impression of Jesus is that He is the true master of the banquet. He is the hope for the hopeless, the healing for the broken, the joy for the sorrowful. In this sign Jesus is foretelling us of the day that will come when the choice wine is served first and poured without end!
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:6-8 NIV
Don’t answer this question too quickly, because your answer might not be what you’d like to write down. What is it that you focus your life on that has kept you going even through the darkest valleys?
If you didn’t write down something that is centered on Jesus, what do you have to lose putting your life in the hands of the master of the eternal party? From where you are at today, what is there to gain?
For those who are sitting at the table with Jesus, how has the joy of the Lord been your strength?
Read John 2:1-12
First, here is a bit of history that is helpful to know. During the days of Jesus, the highlight of someone’s life was most often their wedding and afterparty, which was a spare-no-expense-event usually lasting for days. To run out of wine before the party was over wasn’t just an embarrassing inconvenience, it was a cultural disgrace that would shame a family for years. So, we see the concern that exists for this bride and groom in Cana. For reasons we can only guess, Mary comes to her son with this hope that if anyone can save this party, he can.
Jesus is about to make a first impression. The world had not seen the divine power of God since long before anyone at this wedding feast could remember. At his chosen moment, Jesus could have set the bar as high as bringing the dead back to life or defined himself through the casting out of demons or by healing the sick. As bewildering as it may be, Jesus first beckons for his disciples to believe in his divinity by creating more wine for a floundering party.
Has there ever been a time when you found yourself in a dismal situation, and only by the grace of God was there an outcome far better than you could have ever hoped for?
From the time you first recognized that the Christian life is centered on following Jesus, was your impression that such a life is dull and withdrawn, fun and exciting, or something different altogether?
In verse 11 there is one word that dramatically influences the way we understand why John recorded this story of Jesus turning water into wine. Yes, it was Jesus’ first miracle, but John doesn’t call this work of Jesus as such. The word used, which is the same word no matter the Bible translation you read from, is the word signs. “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory…” John 2:11 NIV (emphasis mine)
Part of our reality is that life is guaranteed to have its moments when it feels like the wine has run out. It comes in the poor choices that bring upon us shame with no redemption in sight. It comes in the moments of tragedy that leaves us feeling helpless to fix what is broken. It comes when the long seasons of life feel as though they have reached an endless winter, and there is nothing left but to wait. Such times may leave you believing there is no more wine.
Find the deeper wisdom of God, shared with us in the living words of Scripture. We see Jesus turning water into wine, but the sign, the greater significance of this first impression of Jesus is that He is the true master of the banquet. He is the hope for the hopeless, the healing for the broken, the joy for the sorrowful. In this sign Jesus is foretelling us of the day that will come when the choice wine is served first and poured without end!
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:6-8 NIV
Don’t answer this question too quickly, because your answer might not be what you’d like to write down. What is it that you focus your life on that has kept you going even through the darkest valleys?
If you didn’t write down something that is centered on Jesus, what do you have to lose putting your life in the hands of the master of the eternal party? From where you are at today, what is there to gain?
For those who are sitting at the table with Jesus, how has the joy of the Lord been your strength?
Time Together
Whether you are a part of a small group or have decided to get together with a couple of friends to discuss Sunday’s teaching over coffee, this section of questions is provided to help guide a group discussion. Our hope is that these questions, along with sharing from moments during your personal study time, will lead to conversations that are both edifying and life changing.
Have someone read Revelation 19:6-9
Isaiah prophesied it, Jesus signified it, and in Revelation we read what God revealed to John of it. There will come a day when the bride, the Church, will wed herself to the bridegroom, Jesus, and for all eternity God’s people will live in festival joy.
In Galatians 5:22, Paul makes clear that love, joy, and peace are among the fruits of the Spirit that Christians are to hold to as essential qualities of their life.
Even if by all earthly accounts there is no reason for you to have joy or peace, has there been a time you’ve still had those fruits of the Spirit because of your faith in the one who turns water into wine?
Does anyone currently find themselves weathering a season where it feels like the wine has run out and the joy is gone? How can this group pray for you and encourage you to seek from Jesus the joy that he brings to those who draw near?
Have someone read Philippians 3:12-14
In what ways does looking ahead change the way we live right now?
Have someone read Revelation 19:6-9
Isaiah prophesied it, Jesus signified it, and in Revelation we read what God revealed to John of it. There will come a day when the bride, the Church, will wed herself to the bridegroom, Jesus, and for all eternity God’s people will live in festival joy.
In Galatians 5:22, Paul makes clear that love, joy, and peace are among the fruits of the Spirit that Christians are to hold to as essential qualities of their life.
Even if by all earthly accounts there is no reason for you to have joy or peace, has there been a time you’ve still had those fruits of the Spirit because of your faith in the one who turns water into wine?
Does anyone currently find themselves weathering a season where it feels like the wine has run out and the joy is gone? How can this group pray for you and encourage you to seek from Jesus the joy that he brings to those who draw near?
Have someone read Philippians 3:12-14
In what ways does looking ahead change the way we live right now?
Time for More
If you are looking to grow in your knowledge of the Bible and desire to have a plan for further reading, here is a list of Scriptures that cross reference to certain parts within this week’s text. A cross reference is two biblical texts that share similar meaning and reading these is an effective way to expand your understanding of the Bible as one book, divided into 66 little books, all centered on Jesus Christ.
John 2:1-12 < > Psalm 36
John 2:1:11 < > Hebrews 2:1-4
John 2:1-12 < > Psalm 36
John 2:1:11 < > Hebrews 2:1-4
Posted in For Second Chances