September 2, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 15
Jesus' miracles were powerfully transforming
___ John 2
___By Robert Creech
___University Baptist Church-Clearlake, Houston
___John 2:1 opens with a temporal reference--"on the third day." Working through chapter 1, a reader discovers this third day is actually the seventh day in the sequence (Day 1--1:28, Day 2--1:29, Day 3--1:35, Day 4--1:43). The story that began, like Genesis, with an "in the beginning," has proceeded with a seven-day week in which the new creation has begun.
___The episode that follows (2:1-11) is one of seven distinctive accounts in John's gospel called "signs." In 20:30-31, the narrator tells us that the purpose of these "signs" is to lead us to faith in Christ.
___Matthew, Mark and Luke usually refer to Jesus' miracles as "dunameis," acts of power, demonstrations of the presence of the kingdom of God. John, on the other hand, describes them as "semeia," signs that point beyond themselves, leading us to understand more about the nature of Jesus and to experience a deeper faith.
___In 2:11, the narrator intrudes to interpret for us: "This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him." That comment helps us understand the nature of Jesus' miracles as "signs."
___They reveal Jesus' glory. They help us grasp more clearly his nature. In addition, they lead people who see that glory to a deeper faith in him. His disciples, who have already believed in him enough to follow, are the ones who see his glory and believe in him.
___The mention of signs develops another perspective on Jesus in this Gospel. John has already begun to contrast Jesus with Moses (1:17, 45). That contrast continues in this story.
___In the Old Testament, Moses is a worker of "signs and wonders" (Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 6:22; 7:19; 26:8; 29:3; 34:11; Nehemiah 9:10; Psalm 78:43). When Moses' works are performed before unbelievers, they are often called "wonders"--demonstrations of power, much like the role of Jesus' miracles in Matthew, Mark and Luke (Exodus 3:20). However, when Moses performs miracles before the people of Israel, they are "signs." They point beyond themselves and lead God's people to deeper faith (Exodus 4:8-9).
___Moses' first sign is a harbinger of death--he turns water to blood (Exodus 4:9, 30). Jesus' first sign is a declaration of life--he changes water to wine (John 2:9). As an Old Testament symbol, wine carries a variety of meanings. Sometimes wine symbolizes abundance (Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 7:13). With his first sign, Jesus demonstrates the abundant life he has come to bring (John 10:10) by transforming more than 120 gallons of water to choice wine.
___Jesus' transforming power touches our practice of religion as well. Not one to waste details, the narrator tells us the water employed in the sign was contained in "six stone water jars that were used for Jewish ceremonial washing" (2:6). Jesus' act tells a careful reader that he is the one who transforms empty ritual into authentic encounter with God.
___He commands the servants to "fill" the pots, and they "fill them to the brim" (2:7). John consistently develops the theme of Jesus' fulfilling Jewish ritual. He is the Passover Lamb (1:29, 36; 19:36). He is the true Temple (2:12-22). He is the reality behind the Feast of Tabernacles--the bread (6:31-35), the water (7:2, 37-39) and the light (8:12). In the same way, with this initial sign, Jesus declares himself the fulfillment of Jewish ritual.
___In the Old Testament, wine frequently symbolizes joy as well (Psalm 4:7; 104:15; Isaiah 22:13). The absence of wine is the absence of joy (Isaiah 16:10). In this episode, Jesus transforms the blandness of water into the richest of wine (2:10), just as the Lord had promised (Isaiah 25:6). In the same way, Jesus promises the fullness of joy to his disciples (John 15:11; 16:24).
___The story has a darker side as well. At times wine symbolizes blood, death and judgment (Psalm 60:3; 75:8; Isaiah 63:2). Jesus will bring these rich gifts to us by means of his sacrifice. His "hour" has not yet come (2:4), but once he acts at Cana, the clock begins to tick, and his life moves inexorably toward the cross. Jesus will soon speak of his very own blood as wine the believer must consume (6:53-56).
___Later, (19:17-30) as his hour finally arrives, Jesus will lay down his life. He will drink the cup the Father has given him (18:11). His mother will be there (19:25) in her only other appearance in the story besides this one at Cana. Jesus will again address her respectfully: "Dear woman" (2:4; 19:26).
___This time it will be Jesus who is thirsty (19:28) and human beings who provide him with cheap wine vinegar (19:29). On the cross, he will spill his blood in order to transform the blandness and emptiness of sinful human existence into something full, rich and meaningful. When John narrates the story of the cross, we will recall the wedding at Cana.
___Faithful readers see here the powerful miracle of water becoming wine. Beyond that, however, the narrator invites us to see here a "sign," a revelation of Jesus' glory that takes us below the surface of the miracle and leads us to an encounter with him who transforms life.
___Question for discussion
___ How has your life been transformed by Christ's miracles?
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