October 25, 2016

. . . AND THEN THERE WAS WINE!

John 2:1–12

Beth Kaye
Tuesday's Devo

October 25, 2016

Tuesday's Devo

October 25, 2016

Central Truth

Jesus, being the creator God, has the power to transform something from one condition to another. The demonstration of His power to transform water to wine glorified Jesus in the eyes of His disciples, and they believed. 

Key Verse | John 2:11

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)

 

 

 

John 2:1–12

The Wedding at Cana

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 1 2:6 Greek two or three measures (metrtas); a metrts was about 10 gallons or 35 liters Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers 2 2:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Footnotes

[1] 2:6 Greek two or three measures (metr&emacron;tas); a metr&emacron;t&emacron;s was about 10 gallons or 35 liters
[2] 2:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

Dive Deeper | John 2:1–12

Oftentimes, I wonder what it would have been like to walk alongside Jesus as one of His disciples or to be an onlooker in the crowd. Can you imagine witnessing firsthand His teachings, healings, and miracles? Different passages indicate that some people saw and believed in Him (John 2:11), and others simply heard and believed in Him (John 4:39-40). The Gospel narratives of Jesus’ public ministry recount many teachings and signs in great detail that moved the hearts of many to believe.

Today's passage recounts the first sign that Jesus performed. When the wine ran out too early at a wedding in Cana, Jesus took ordinary water and transformed it into wine. It wasn't just any wine, of course; it was high-quality wine that even impressed the master of the feast. The passage goes on to say that through this sign, Jesus "manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him" (verse 11). By transforming water into wine, Jesus displayed the same power to create that God demonstrated by creating the world (Genesis 1-2). This miracle shows that Jesus, the eternal Word who is one with God and is God, has the power to transform something (water) from one condition to another (wine). 

As I reflect on my personal story, I can see how the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection for my sin transformed my hardened heart. Throughout my life, I considered myself a Christian, but didn’t allow Christ to really affect the way I lived. I attended church on Sundays and was involved in a small group, but I partied on the weekends. I lived a lukewarm faith with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. When guilt and shame became too much to carry on my own, I surrendered it all to Jesus and became a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus and the loving truth of His Word transformed something (my old self) from one condition to another (my redeemed self).

Discussion Questions

1. Has the power of the gospel transformed your life? 

2. If so, what is different about your new life in Christ versus your old life? If not, consider commenting on this Journey entry so that someone can follow up with you. 

3. What is one of your favorite accounts of Jesus teaching, healing, or performing miracles in the Gospels? Why is that your favorite?

4. What are some Scriptures that encourage you to continue growing in your walk with the Lord?