The Life Of Christ Lesson Four – The Beginning Of Christ’s Ministry Jesus’ First Disciples – John 1:35-51 Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 Jesus Cleanses the Temple – John 2:13-25 Jesus and Nicodemus – John 3:1-21 John’s Second Testimony – John 3:22-36

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 “On the 3rd day …” (1:29, 35, 43) Jesus and His disciples invited to a wedding. “A marriage ceremony with its accompanying festivities (Luke 12:36; 14:8). Among the Jewish people a wedding was a festive occasion in which the whole community participated … The bridegroom … set out for the house of the bride's parents … The groom received his bride from her parents with their blessings and the good wishes of friends. Then he conducted the whole party back to his own house or his father's house with song, music, and dancing … In the evening the bride was escorted to the nuptial chamber by her parents, and the groom by his companions or the bride's parents. On the next day the festivities were resumed, continuing for seven days.” (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 “On the 3rd day …” (1:29, 35, 43) While at the wedding … “The wine ran out” (when?) Wine” – Greek ‘oinos’; “wine derived from grapes” (Zodhiates) More definition to follow. “What does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” (John 7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 12:27; 13:1; 17:1) “Whatever He says to you do it.”

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 “Fill the waterpots with water … Draw some out and take it to the headwaiter …” The water had become wine. John 2:11, “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 Note: in the NASV, John does not use the word “miracle” (Greek: dunamis) in his gospel but 19 times uses the word “sign” (Greek: semeion) “Sign”: “that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others … of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by Him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God’s” (Thayer) NT:4592 = universally, that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and known: Matt 26:48 of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's: Matt 12:38f (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) John 2:11 – the word sign used in John 2:23; 3:2; 4:54; 6:2,14,26,30; 7:31; 9:16; 10:41; 11:47; 12:18,37; 20:30

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 Why did John record this? John 20:30-31 Key points to understand: This is Jesus first “sign.” This “sign” revealed Jesus’ glory (verse 11) The “sign” had it’s intended effect – belief. (verse 11) Who saw the sign? Jesus’ disciples and the servants … no one else (verse 9) “My hour has not yet come.” (verse 4) What do many people try to use this passage for?

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 Definitions: Wine: oinos “General word for wine” (Vine). It does not necessitate either intoxicating or non- intoxicating wine. “Wine derived from grapes.” One word in Greek, several in Hebrew. (Example – Isaiah 65:8) Good (verse 10): kalos – excellent in nature and characteristics (Thayer). Nothing to do with alcohol content. What do many people try to use this passage for?

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 What does God’s word have to say about intoxicating beverages and intoxication/ drunkenness? Consider: 1 Peter 4:3; 1 Timothy 3:3; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10-12; Proverbs 23:29ff; 20:1-2 Need to be “sober” 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8 What do many people try to use this passage for? The definition of “intoxicate” in Prov. 20:1-2, swerve, meander, roll, be intoxicated. See Isaiah 28:7 1 Timothy 3:3 – given to wine, addicted. “means staying near wine”. Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13; 1 Peter 4:3 1 Peter 4:3 Drunkenness – what it says! Thayer says “drunkenness” Carousing – as if “letting loose” (Strong). “Merry making” In the cities such entertainments grew into carouses, in which the party of revellers paraded the streets with torches, singing, dancing, and all kinds of frolics. (Vincent) Thayer says “a nocturnal and riotous procession of half-drunken and frolicsome fellows” Drinking parties – drinking bouts. A drinking party, “does not necessarily involve excess” Sober – to abstain from wine. (Strong) Free from the influence of intoxicants. (Vine) used in association with watchfulness.

Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11 Ultimately we have to ask: Is Jesus, the Son of God, turning water into alcoholic wine consistent with what the Bible as a whole has to say about the consumption of alcoholic beverages, drunkenness, and sober mindedness and with the Bible’s claims of His holiness and sinlessness? What do many people try to use this passage for?