John 2:1-11 - Homiletics

The first miracle.

It took place on "the third day;" that is, the third day from the place—fifty miles away—where Nathanael had met Jesus. The Lord had then displayed his omniscience, and he now displays his omnipotence.

I. THE SCENE OF THE MIRACLE . "Cana of Galilee."

1 . This was a small village, about three hours ' journey from Nazareth, rather insignificant in its history, for it is not named in the Old Testament nor in Josephus.

2 . The miracle occurred, not upon the highway of the village, but in the comparative privacy of the family circle.

3 . The house was probably occupied by persons known to Jesus, if not related to his mother Mary by ties of affinity; for Mary was there, evidently with a view to the marriage, and may have superintended its social arrangements. The directions she gave to the servants sanction this view.

II. THE OCCASION OF THE MIRACLE . "There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee."

1 . The presence of Christ suggests the honour of matrimony.

2 . It is allowable to rejoice on such occasions. Our Lord sanctions by his presence both the marriage and the feast.

III. THE NECESSITY FOR THE MIRACLE . "And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine." The supply of wine may have failed

IV. MARY 'S APPEAL TO CHRIST . "They have no wine."

1 . She appeals to her Son, not, perhaps, so much because the deficiency of the wine was caused by his arrival at Cana with his five disciples, but because she evidently expected him to exercise his superhuman power to meet the unexpected need. This seems evident

2 . There is nothing in her appeal to her Son to justify the Roman Cathohic argument in favour of the virgin Mary's intercession in heaven, because

V. CHRIST 'S ANSWER TO HIS MOTHER 'S APPEAL . "What have I to do with thee, woman?"

1 . This language implies no want of respect for his mother, because the term "woman" is the same which he addresses to her in his dying moments, "Woman, behold thy son!" ( John 19:26 ). Yet this mode of address implies a change of relationship between Jesus and Mary. She was no longer "mother," but "woman." We see the trace of this change in the memorable question, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" ( Matthew 12:46 ).

2 . The language implies that the period of subjection to Joseph and Mary was now at an end, that he is now "the Servant of Jehovah," that his work as the Messiah has at last begun.

3 . His further reply, " Mine hour is not yet come, " does not imply a refusal of her request, but only a postponement of the time for working the miracle. He would hold in his own hands the supreme disposal of his power.

VI. THE REALITY OF THE MIRACLE . The water was turned into wine. He who can create the grape can create the wine. He who can create matter can easily change it from one kind to another. The reality of this miracle is attested:

1 . By the evidence of the servants who knew what the water was.

2 . By the evidence of the ruler of the feast as to what it became. There was no visible action in this case interposing between the miracle worker and his remarkable "sign."

VII. THERE IS NOTHING INCONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST IN HIS REPLENISHING THE SUPPLY OF WINE . Those who maintain that the wine created by miracle was unfermented, and, therefore, unintoxicating, ought to know:

1 . That there is no such thing as unfermented wine.

2 . That it is no more inconsistent with Christ ' s character to create wine than to create the grape ; yet the grape was created with a full knowledge of its properties.

3 . That while there is nothing in Scripture to justify the statement thai it is a sin to drink wine, the argument from expediency asserted by the Apostle Paul ( 1 Corinthians 8:13 ) ought to have a conclusive weight with Christian people in the way of justifying a total abstinence from strong drink.

VIII. THE OBJECT OF THE MIRACLE AT CANA . "It manifested forth his glory." It proved that, because "the Father loveth the Son," he hath "given all things into his hand" ( John 3:35 ). The apostles manifested the glory of Jehovah in their miracles; Jesus manifested his own.

IX. THE RESULT or THIS MIRACLE . "And his disciples believed on him." They believed as they had never done before; their faith was strengthened; they saw fresh evidence of his Divine nature and Divine power; and, no doubt, had "joy and peace in believing.