In this division of John's gospel the public ministry of the Master is before us. There are signs which show Jesus to be indeed the Son of God, also these signs become the setting for teaching, discussions and reactions of faith, and on the other hand unbelief and rejection. These things are written to establish faith and make us effective witnesses of Christ.

John 2:1 "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; ..."

There is a time and place for significant miracles. Probably the "third day" referred to is three days after leaving the place where Nathaniel met Jesus. The place for the happening was a small village some three walking hours from Nazareth. How encouraging to know there can be a time of significant manifestation of the Person and miracle-presence of Jesus in insignificant places. Can it be so where you are placed? Indeed, Yes! Marriage is intended to be graced with the Lord's presence. By His presence Christ Jesus placed approval upon both marriage and festal rejoicing. It is false teaching that forbids marriage (1 Timothy 4:3 ). Marriage is honourable and pure (Hebrews 13:4 ). Indeed it should come naturally to turn to the Master for help. "They have no wine" (John 2:3 KJV) Mary seems to have some relationship to the household. This is indicated by her being in the know about the lack of wine. She knew who to turn to in time of need. We are invited to boldly do the same (Hebrews 4:16 ).

Demanding situations will reveal whose we are and whom we serve.

John 2:4 "Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.'"

This was not a disrespectful term spoken to His mother Mary. He called her 'woman' when on the cross (John 19:26 ). Rather, its use indicated a change in their relationship, no longer Mother, 'woman'. The key to understanding that change is,

Matthew 12:48-50 "But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" ⁴⁹ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! ⁵⁰ "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.""

Obedience to God must take precedence over all other responsibilities. His direction in service came from His heavenly Father, now He was supremely the servant of God the Father. Jesus is not refusing Mary's request, He is saying the time of action is in the Father's right and authority. That is what is meant in this instance of the statement "My hour has not yet come." (John 2:4 NKJV). Faith prepares the reception of what is believed for even when there is postponement.

John 2:5 "His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it.""

The only advice of Mary recorded. Obedience to Him is always problem-solving and brings miracles of success. He who created can recreate from one kind to another. This demonstrates the fact He can change sinners to saints - those overcome, to overcomers - weak to strong. With Him all things are possible. Recreation through the co-operation of faithful servants.

John 2:7,8 "... Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ ... Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. ..."

These servants did unquestioningly what Jesus ordered. They knew it was water they were taking to the master of the feast. Their co-operative faith resulted in the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine, perhaps at the moment it was tasted. The world gives its best first, then follows its worst. The Lord gives His best that is followed by better still.

John 2:10 "... You have kept the good wine until now!""

It is the Lord's very own glory that He manifests (John 2:11 ). Not that of another, but His own inherent glory, the glory of His character and unlimited resources. - Beholding His glory brings satisfaction to faith and joy in believing (John 2:11 ) - The joy of faith brings resolve to spread abroad His fame, and bring others to behold His glory.

Obedience to God will not exclude family relationships, but improve the bonds of love.

John 2:12 "After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: ..."

That the Lord had real brothers in the ordinary sense is supported by Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:7. Their natural relationship was to become strengthened by faith in Him as the Son of God, their Lord (Acts 1:14 ). Like Jesus, His people should esteem highly, pure worship of the Father.

John 2:13 "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,"

Jesus personally honoured and kept the Feast of the Passover, every male among the Jews was required to present themselves at the Feast. The privilege to gather to worship our delivering and redeeming God should never be treated lightly. On the eve of the Passover every family collected all the leaven in the house, and there was a general cleansing. Christ Jesus was going to do the same in His Father's house.

John 2:15 "And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;"

It is interesting that in the teaching of 1 Corinthians 5:6-10, among other things, it lists covetousness, extortion and idolatry as old leaven needing to be purged out (Colossians 3:5 ) and teaches covetousness to be idolatry. Covetousness was exactly what Jesus found in the Temple, which He vigorously cleaned out. This market conducted in the Temple, was notorious for extortion, as is common among cattle-dealers and money-changers. The Lord Jesus would not allow the Father's house to be desecrated by covetous idolatry. There is need to purge out from worship and ministry, the old leaven. To recognise Christ as Lord is to come under the awesomeness of His authority.

John 2:16 "... make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."

That day the divine sonship of Jesus was affirmed and the terror of God fell upon the covetous, evidenced by one man, yes, one more than man able to drive them out. The world will yet experience the wrath of the Lamb of God, but judgment began at the house of God. The Lord of the Church will not tolerate present day covetousness mixed with teaching and worship, substituting material blessing for spiritual life and power. (Revelation 3:17 ). It is time to be eaten up with zeal for the Lord and His house.

John 2:17 "... 'Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.'"

This power testimony by a cleansing action magnified Jesus in the eyes of His disciples as none other than the Son of God. They saw His zealous behaviour to be scriptural (John 2:17; Psalm 69:9 ). Truths shared with unbelieving leaders are usually misunderstood and taken up later to misrepresent.

John 2:18 "So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"

They could not say His action was wrong, so they questioned His authority to do it. Christ gave them a sign for His authority to act, that they thought had to do with the Temple He had just cleansed, when He was referring to His own body (John 2:21 ), for His disciples later remembered (John 2:22 ).

John 2:19 "... Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. "

The false witnesses at Christ's trial, and Stephen's accusers, remembered the saying as literally referring to the Temple (Matthew 26:61; Acts 6:14 ). Notice their proud and contemptuous answer (John 2:20 ). They received no answer from Jesus. The Lord dealt with men according to their heart condition (John 2:23-25 ). We may not have revealed to us, by the Holy Spirit, the state of the heart of the new acquaintance, we can be kind to all, but not commit ourselves rashly, and so put ourselves at a disadvantage. We need to heed the checks of the Holy Spirit as well as we responded to His prompting.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you believe that marriage should be favoured with the Lord's presence? (John 2:1 ).
2. Would you be able to obey the advice Mary gave to the servants, with the same commitment? (John 2:5,7,8 ).
3. Do you think present day mixing of covetousness with teaching and worship is acceptable to the Lord? (John 2:15,16; Revelation 3:15-17 ).
4. How would others recognise your zeal for the Lord's house? (John 2:17; Psalm 69:9 ).