The Wedding at Cana: The First Sign of Joy (John 2:1-11)
This sermon delves into Jesus' first public miracle at the wedding in Cana, where water was turned into wine. It explores the profound symbolic meaning John's Gospel attributes to this event, revealing Jesus' identity and mission to bring ultimate joy.
Jesus' first miracle at Cana, turning water into wine, is a "sign" revealing him as the divine bridegroom who brings ultimate joy through his sacrificial death, covering all our imperfections.
Overview
The sermon begins by examining Jesus' first miracle in John 2:1-11, the wedding at Cana. The preacher emphasizes that John calls this a "sign," meaning it's not just a display of power but points to who Jesus is and his salvation. This first public act, keeping a party going, holds symbolic importance for understanding his ministry.
The first symbol explored is the six stone water jars, used for ceremonial washing. By using these for wine, Jesus signals that he brings the reality to which these purification rituals point: atonement and cleansing from sin, dealing with our shame and guilt. He contrasts this with Lady Macbeth's inability to remove her "spot."
Next, the sermon analyzes Jesus' "brusque" reply to his mother, "Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come." The "hour" in John's Gospel consistently refers to Jesus' crucifixion. This seemingly odd connection reveals Jesus' mind is on his ultimate "wedding day" as the divine bridegroom of his people, a theme prominent in the Old Testament and in his own words.
The wine itself symbolizes the joy brought by Jesus' shed blood. He takes the "cup of wrath" at Gethsemane so his people can drink the "cup of blessing." His death, though agony for him, becomes joy for us, providing the "best wine" that surpasses all earthly joys and never runs out, making us beautiful and desirable in his eyes.
Key points
- Jesus' first miracle at Cana, turning water into wine, is called a "sign" in John's Gospel, indicating it has symbolic meaning about his identity and mission.
- The six stone water jars, previously used for ceremonial washing, symbolize Jesus bringing the reality of atonement and cleansing from sin, replacing the old rituals.
- Jesus' seemingly brusque response to his mother, "My hour has not yet come," connects the wedding feast to his crucifixion, which is his "hour" in John's Gospel.
- Jesus identifies himself as the "bridegroom" of his people, and his ultimate "wedding day" is the wedding supper of the Lamb, the end of history.
- The wine symbolizes the joy that comes from Jesus' shed blood; he drinks the cup of wrath so that his people can have the cup of blessing.
- Jesus provides the "best wine" by bringing ultimate, unending joy through his sacrifice, making his people beautiful and desirable to God.
- Practical applications include recognizing that all other "wines" (sources of joy) run out, doing whatever Jesus tells you, sipping coming joy amidst present sorrows, not letting marriage be the sole fulfiller of heart's longings, and cultivating a rich prayer life.
In Tim Keller's words
“Jesus sat amidst all the joy sipping the coming sorrow so that we could sit amidst all this world's sorrows and sip the coming joy.”
“The only person in all the universe whose opinion counts thinks you are gorgeous.”
“Any other wine but this wine will run out.”
Outline
- I. Introduction to Epiphany and the Gospel of John's "Signs"
- A. Epiphany: A season to reflect on Jesus' life, words, and deeds.
- B. The first miracle in John (John 2:1-11) is called a "sign," indicating symbolic meaning beyond a simple display of power.
- C. The question: What does Jesus' first sign, keeping a party going, tell us about his ministry?
- II. Unpacking the Symbolism of the Cana Miracle
- A. What do the jars point to?
- 1. The cultural context of a wedding and the shame of running out of wine.
- 2. Jesus chooses jars for ceremonial washing, signifying he brings the reality of atonement and cleansing from sin.
- 3. He deals with shame and guilt, like Lady Macbeth's "spot."
- B. What does Jesus' brusqueness to his mother point to?
- 1. Mary's unusual request to Jesus.
- 2. Jesus' reply: "Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come."
- 3. The "hour" in John's Gospel refers to his crucifixion.
- 4. Jesus thinks of his "wedding day" as the divine bridegroom (Matthew 9, Revelation).
- 5. He must go to the cross to bring joy and his bride into his arms.
- C. What does the wine point to?
- 1. Wine is the joy of the feast.
- 2. Jesus' "cup" in Gethsemane (wrath) and at the Last Supper (new covenant blood).
- 3. His blood, agony for him, is joy for us—the "best wine."
- 4. Jesus is the true master of the banquet, bringing ultimate festival joy through his suffering and resurrection.
- III. The Metaphor of the Bride and Groom
- A. Jesus, the bridegroom, looks at his people (the bride) as beautiful and desirable, with all imperfections covered by his salvation.
- B. To be adored by someone you adore is the greatest thing possible.
- C. This knowledge of God's view brings strength to handle present life.
- IV. Five Practical Applications
- A. Recognize that any "wine" (source of joy) other than Jesus' love will run out.
- B. "Do whatever he tells you," even when his actions or words are confusing or not what you expect.
- C. Learn to meditate on and "sip the coming joy" to handle present sorrows.
- D. Don't let marriage throw you; only Jesus can fulfill all the deepest longings of your heart.
- E. Cultivate a rich prayer life ("sip the wine") to experience God's love beyond abstraction.
Scripture references
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Insights
True joy flows from Jesus taking the cup of wrath for us.
God sees past our imperfections and declares us beautiful.
Every other source of joy eventually runs dry.
Questions & answers
Why does the sermon emphasize that Jesus' first miracle is a "sign"?
The sermon explains that John's Gospel calls Jesus' miracles "signs" to indicate they are not merely displays of power. Instead, they point to Jesus' true identity, what he came to do, and the nature of his salvation.
What do the stone water jars in the story symbolize according to the sermon?
The jars, previously used for Jewish ceremonial washing, symbolize the old covenant's rituals for cleansing. Jesus using them to create new wine signifies he has come to bring the reality of atonement and cleansing from sin, fulfilling what those ceremonies pointed to.
Why does Jesus respond to his mother with "My hour has not yet come"?
The sermon interprets "my hour" in John's Gospel as referring to Jesus' crucifixion. His response links the joy of the wedding feast to his sacrificial death, indicating that his ultimate act of bringing joy for his "bride" (his people) requires his suffering on the cross.
What is the "wedding supper of the Lamb" mentioned in the sermon?
The "wedding supper of the Lamb" is a vision from the Book of Revelation, described as the end of history. It represents the ultimate feast and joy where God's people, the corporate body of believers, are united with Jesus, their divine bridegroom.
How does the sermon connect Jesus' blood to wine?
The sermon states that Jesus' blood, which was agony for him, brings joy for us, making it comparable to wine, "the joy of the feast." He takes the "cup of wrath" upon himself so that his people can receive the "cup of blessing."
What is the practical application of "doing whatever he tells you" in the sermon?
This application comes from Mary's instruction to the servants. The sermon suggests that even when Jesus' words or actions seem confusing, or when our prayers aren't answered as expected, we should trust his greatness and power and obey him regardless.
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