DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. Jesus Invited to a Marriage, vv. 1, 2
What kind of occasion was a marriage in the Holy Land? (Look this up carefully in the Bible.) What idea does it give us of Jesus’ character that He was “bidden to the marriage” and accepted the invitation? Did He look upon the mirth and gladness of the entertainment with disapproval? Did His presence detract at all from the overflowing joyfulness of the occasion? Who by His presence and blessing saved the occasion from ending in mortification and disappointment? By reason of His presence, how did it end (v. 10)? If we wish our social and festive gatherings to be marked by the deepest and abiding joy, whose presence must we secure? Why is Jesus so often absent from our social gatherings? (James 4:2, l. c.) Do we lose anything by His not being there? Would He like to come?
2. His Help Needed and Sought, vv. 3, 4
When was the presence of Jesus especially noticed and appreciated? When are we most likely to think of His presence among us? (Ps. 107:6, 13, 19, 28.) When “the wine fails” in our lives, what is the best thing to do? (Ps. 50:15.)
Who was it thought of going to Jesus in this emergency? Why was it she who thought of it? Had she ever known of His performing miracles? (v. 11.) Was she a woman of great faith? (Luke 1:45.) In what way did she make her request? If we have any need, what is all we need to do? (Phil. 4:6, 7.) Did she get immediate satisfaction? Do we always get immediate satisfaction when we make our requests known to Him? Does that prove that our requests will not be granted? Was the answer of Jesus to His mother as harsh as it sounds to our ears? (Compare 19:26, 27; 20:13, 15; Matt. 15:28.) What was the purpose of this answer? (Compare Luke 2:49.)
3. His Help Expected and Prepared for, vv. 5–7
Was the expectation of the mother of Jesus at all shaken by His answer? Why not? What wise counsel did she give the servants? Did she regard herself or Jesus as the One to whom men should look for direction and blessing? How does this bear on Mariolatry? How much of what He said were they to do? Of what is this doing “whatsoever He saith” the indispensable condition? (See 15:14.) Does it pay? (Luke 5:5, 6; Heb. 5:9.)
What singular direction did Jesus give the servants? What was the purpose of this direction? (Num. 21:6–9; Josh. 6:3–5; 1 Kings 17:13, 14; 2 Kings 5:10–14; John 9:7–11, 39, 40; Luke 17:14; Acts 8:26.) How did these servants show they had faith? How did they show the earnestness and fullness of their faith? If they had filled them only half full, how much wine would they have had? (2 Kings 4:4; 13:18, 19.) Why is it that our vessels are not full “to the brim” with the wine of the kingdom? (Matt. 9:29.)
4. His Help Granted and Appreciated, vv. 8–12
To what final test did He put the faith of the servants? Was that much of a test? If these servants had been like many of us, what would they have done? What did they do? Why? What was the result? At what point was the water made wine? What sort of power did the turning of water into wine prove Jesus to possess? Was it good wine (v. 10)? Does Jesus turn water into wine nowadays? Has He ever turned water into wine for you? Why not? Will you let Him today?
What comment did the ruler of the feast make upon the wine Jesus made? In the worldly life when do you always get the better wine? In the Christian life, when? (Luke 16:25; Rev. 7:16; John 4:14.) What did men see in this miracle that Jesus wrought? (John 1:14.) How did this opening miracle of Jesus’ ministry differ from the opening miracles of Moses’ ministry? (Ex. 7:19–21.) How do you account for this difference? (John 1:17.) What was the effect of this miracle upon His disciples? What did they believe? How many times in this Gospel does John record the fact that men believed on Jesus? What is the purpose of this Gospel? (See 20:30, 31.) How does John seek to secure this end? (By setting forth the facts that wrought faith in him and his fellow disciples, and the effects upon the disciples of those things they witnessed. John’s Gospel is a picture of Jesus’ life with an especial reference to the effect of that life upon the development of the author’s own faith and spiritual life. This is one thing that gives the Gospel a spiritual life and power that none of the others possess.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. Jesus Christ
Possesses creative power, 9; superior to human relations, 4; of a genial disposition, welcome guest on festal occasions, 2; saved the occasion from disaster, turns misfortune into gladness, 3–10; made the chief contribution to its gladness, 10; should be looked to when the wine fails, those who know Him best are quickest to go to Him for help, 3; goes where He is invited, 2; carries a blessing where He goes, 6–10; never acts until the time is ripe, 4; puts faith to the test, 7, 8; rewards faith when it shows itself fitted by standing the test, grants not only necessities but also things that minister to mirth and gladness, gives the best wine last, 9, 10.
2. Jesus in Social Life
Sought after, went, 2; needed, appealed to, 3; obeyed, 5–8; brought blessing, 10.
3. Faith
Seeks help from Jesus, 3; is tested by apparent refusal, 4; is tested by being given an apparently unreasonable thing to do, does as it is told, 5–8; asks no questions, gets according to its measure, 7; gets what it seeks, 9, 10; recognizes the meaning of Jesus’ test, beholds His glory, 11.
4. Mary
Dependence upon Jesus, 3; ignorance of His purpose, misunderstanding of her relation to Him, 4; unwavering faith, 3, 5; humble recognition of her true position, 5; abundant reward, 9, 10.
5. How to Get Blessings
Let Jesus know you need them, 3; be discouraged by no seeming rebuke, 4; believe you are going to get them, do as you are told, 5–8.
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R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.