Opening Up
In John 1:14, John writes as a witness of Jesus’ glory. Then, in John 1:50-51 he records Jesus’ promise to his disciples that, like Jacob in the desert, they will see a sign from heaven: “heaven-sent confirmation that the one they have acknowledged as the Messiah has been appointed by God”.2
Let’s find out what happens just three days later.
Read
John 2:1–12
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “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.”
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.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
1. What stood out to you or surprised you? What questions arise from the passage?
Digging In
John sets about giving us a portrait of Jesus from the first verse and lays down a pattern that he will follow throughout the gospel.
2. In Jesus’ day, weddings were huge community events, usually held over a couple of days. What does the fact that he and his disciples attend a wedding reveal about him and his followers?
3. What are we to make of Jesus’ interaction with his mother (v.3-5)?
Jesus’ hour to die has not yet come (v.4). But while it has not yet come to usher in the full Messianic age, clearly it is the hour for Jesus to begin revealing who he is and what is to come.
4. What do the following passages reveal about the Messianic age to come?
Isaiah 25:6-8
Revelation 19:4-9
(Perhaps, when Jesus’ mother approached him (v.3), she caught him thinking about the great party to come!)
5. What quality and quantity of wine does Jesus create (v.9-10)? What does that say about his character?
6. This first ‘sign’ reveals Jesus’ glory (v.11). What are the features of that revealed glory?
7. How do the disciples respond (v.11)?
Taking it with you
Name one or two things revealed about Jesus in this passage that have challenged and/or encouraged you to deepen your faith in him.
Who can you share Jesus with this week? Who might you invite to Share Life this year? Pray for opportunities.