Week 3: The First Miracle (John 2:1-11)

Week 3: The First Miracle (John 2:1-11)

Theme: The Divine Nature of Jesus in John’s Gospel
Focus: Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana, revealing His divine authority and power over creation.

Introduction to the Lesson

This lesson explores Jesus’ first miracle as recorded in John’s Gospel, where He turned water into grape juice at a wedding feast. The miracle reveals His divine authority and power over creation. Jesus used this moment not only to help in a practical way but also to give a glimpse of His divine nature, showing He is the Son of God with the power to transform the ordinary into extraordinary.

Cultural/Historical Information

• Jewish Wedding Customs: Weddings in Jesus’ time were major community events, often lasting several days. Running out of wine (or in this case, grape juice) at such a feast would have been a significant social embarrassment for the host.
• Significance of Grape Juice: In the context of biblical teachings, grape juice is often seen as a symbol of blessing, joy, and abundance. Jesus turning water into grape juice can be seen as an act of restoring honor and providing joy at the feast.
• Role of Servants: In this passage, the servants play a key role in obeying Jesus’ instructions without knowing the full plan. This obedience is a sign of trust, which reflects the faith believers are called to have in Jesus’ divine authority.

Understanding “Wine” in the Bible and English

Wine in Modern English: Today, when we hear the word “wine,” it usually means an alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice. However, the meaning of “wine” wasn’t always this clear.

Wine in Greek (Oinos): In the Bible, the Greek word for wine is “oinos.” This word could refer to both alcoholic wine and grape juice, depending on the context. People in ancient times used the same word for both, so it’s important to look at the situation in which the word is used to understand whether it means alcoholic wine or unfermented grape juice.

Wine in Old English: Even in English, about 400 years ago (like in the King James Version of the Bible), the word “wine” could mean either alcoholic wine or grape juice. So, when we read the word “wine” today, it doesn’t automatically mean alcohol.

Personally I lean towards Jesus turning normal water into pure unfermented grape juice, so the outline below follows that thought.

If you take the stance that this was alcoholic wine, please take into account the following.

Wine Mixed with Water

In Bible times, it was common for people to mix wine with water before drinking it. This practice served two main purposes: it made the wine last longer, allowing more people to share it, and it reduced the strength of the wine, helping people avoid drunkenness. In fact, drinking wine without water was often considered unwise or improper.

Interestingly, historians note that the ratio of water to wine was usually around 3 parts water to 1 part wine, or even more diluted. This helped ensure people could enjoy the drink without getting drunk, especially during gatherings or meals.

Mixing wine with water was a practical and cultural norm in the ancient world, a contrast to how wine is typically consumed today.

Key Points

1. Jesus’ Power Over Creation
   • Jesus’ first miracle was to transform water into grape juice, showing His divine power to change the natural world.
   • Sub-point: This act foreshadows other miracles where Jesus demonstrates His control over nature, such as calming the storm (John 6:16-21).
   • Sub-point: Jesus used ordinary elements (water) and turned them into something extraordinary (grape juice), highlighting His ability to transform lives as well.
2. The Divine Timing of Jesus
   • When His mother, Mary, told Him about the shortage of juice, Jesus replied, “My hour has not yet come,” indicating that His actions were always aligned with God’s timing.
   • Sub-point: Jesus was not driven by human requests alone but acted according to His divine purpose and timing.
   • Sub-point: This statement points to Jesus’ ultimate “hour,” His crucifixion and resurrection, which fully revealed His divine nature and mission.
3. Jesus’ Miracle as a Sign of His Divinity
   • This miracle was not just a solution to a problem; it was a sign of Jesus’ divine nature. John specifically calls it the first of the “signs” that revealed Jesus’ glory (John 2:11).
   • Sub-point: The result of this miracle led to His disciples believing in Him, showing that Jesus’ divine works inspire faith.
   • Sub-point: Jesus’ miracles throughout John’s Gospel serve as signs pointing to His identity as the Son of God.

Life Applications

1. Trust in Jesus’ Power to Transform
   • Just as Jesus transformed water into grape juice, He can transform our lives. We can trust His divine power to work in us and through us, no matter the circumstances.
   • Example: Think about a time when you felt like you didn’t have enough. How did trusting Jesus change the outcome?
2. Recognize the Signs of Jesus in Your Life
   • Just as the miracle at Cana revealed Jesus’ glory, we should pay attention to the ways Jesus is at work in our daily lives. His presence can transform ordinary moments into divine encounters.
   • Example: Reflect on moments in your life that felt ordinary but ended up being significant through God’s intervention.
3. Act in Obedience and Faith
   • The servants at the wedding did not know what Jesus was going to do, but they obeyed His command. In the same way, we should act in faith and obedience, trusting that Jesus knows what is best.
   • Example: When was a time you didn’t fully understand why something was happening, but later saw that God had a plan?

Discussion Questions

1. What does Jesus turning water into grape juice tell us about His divine nature?
2. Why do you think Jesus waited for the right moment to perform this miracle, and what does it teach us about God’s timing?
3. How can we recognize the “signs” of Jesus at work in our own lives today?

Conclusion

The miracle at Cana is more than just a story about saving a wedding feast. It is the first sign in John’s Gospel that reveals Jesus’ divine nature and authority over creation. Through this miracle, Jesus shows that He is not only the Son of God but also the One who transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. As we study this passage, let’s remember to trust in His power to work in our lives, recognize His signs, and act in faith.