The Wedding Feast in Cana John 2:1-11 (Slide by Tim Curry)

Cana: a town west of sea of Galilee; few miles north of Nazareth (Slide by Tim Curry)

Introduction Well-known wedding –Guest list included Jesus –Bride and groom unknown Revealed some things about Jesus –Jesus mingled with others (Matthew 3:1-4; 11:18, 19) –Some still say He was a winebibber

Summary of Events Invited to the feast (vv. 1, 2) –Fitting occasion for the first miracle –Demonstrated His power over nature –Did in an instant what would have taken months to occur naturally

Summary of Events Ran out of “wine” (v. 3) –W–What kind was it? –C–Consequences if it is alcoholic –M–Mary asked Jesus to help

Jesus responded (v. 4) –Not a sign of disrespect –Referred to her this way later (John 19:26) –Not the time for miracles until now

Summary of Events Made “wine” for the hosts (vv. 5-10) –Water pots for purification only (v. 5) –Miracle could not be denied (vv. 6-8) –Comment of the headwaiter (vv. 9, 10)

Other Renderings “Drunk freely” (NASB) “Well drunk” (KJV) “Had plenty to drink” (Phillip’s Translation) “Drunk deeply” (Godspeed’s translation) “Have been drinking awhile” (NCV) (Slide by Tim Curry)

What Kind of Wine? What is meant by “drunk freely?” –Does it mean they were drunk? –The Analytical Greek Lexicon assigns the meaning of drunkenness to the word in some passages (Luke 12:45; 1 Thessalonians 5:7), but in this passage says it means “to drink freely” –Refers to being satiated, or full

What Kind of Wine? What is meant by “good wine?” –Our frame of reference is to its age and alcoholic strength –In that day and time it had to do with freshness

Pliny The Elder (23-79 AD) “Wines are most beneficial (utilissimum) when all their potency has been removed by the strainer.” “A ‘good wine’ was one that was destitute of spirit.” (Lib. iv, c. 13)

What Kind of Wine? What is meant by “good wine?” –Our frame of reference is to its age and alcoholic strength –In that day and time it had to do with freshness –We must not impose our understanding on the Bible.

What Kind of Wine? Consequences if it is alcoholic –Must prove that it was –Would have made some of them drunk (Habakkuk 2:15) –His temperance couldn’t guarantee theirs –Who can imagine Jesus doing such?

Was It Intoxicating? “Who says so? His slanderers, not His biographers. John does not state nor indicate that the wine was intoxicating….If Jesus made intoxicating wine here, then this is the only time He ever used His power to furnish to man that which is destructive of his nature and powers.” (The Life of Christ, R.C. Foster)

Importance of Context Some words understood this way –“Love” is an example –Is “loving” pizza, or even family, the same as “loving” God? False conclusions can be reached –Recall the story of the man who pointed at a Bible verse –He never obeyed the Lord

Conclusion The moral character of Jesus is at stake Caution is in order before drawing a conclusion