Water Into Wine[1]

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January 17, 2010 - John 2.1-11

 

Open It

1. Why are people interested in miraculous or supernatural events?

2. What makes an event miraculous or supernatural?

3. What supernatural or miraculous events have you witnessed?

Explore It

4. Where did the wedding take place? (2:1)

5. Who was at the wedding? (2:1-2)

6. What did Jesus’ mother say to Him? (2:3)

7. What was Jesus’ response to His mother? (2:4)

8. How did Jesus’ mother respond to His reply? (2:5)

9. What were the water jars used for? (2:6)

10. What did Jesus tell the servants to do? (2:7)

11. To whom did the servants take the water? (2:8)

12. What happened to the water? (2:9)

13. What was the banquet master’s response? (2:10)

14. Why did Jesus perform this miracle? (2:11)

15. How did Jesus’ disciples respond to this miracle? (2:11)

Get It

16. How have you had faith in Jesus’ power this week?

17. What is something you would like Jesus to change in your life?

18. What recent miracle has Jesus done in your life?

19. How does Jesus reveal His glory to us today?

20. In what ways has Jesus transformed you into a new person?

21. How has Jesus given you a new life?

22. What things has Jesus done that have caused you to have faith in Him?

Apply It

23. What is one specific habit or characteristic you will ask God to change in your life this week?

24. How will you enjoy today the new life Jesus has given you?

NOTES

Notes for 2:1,2: Jesus was on a mission to save the world, the greatest mission in the history of mankind. Yet he took time to attend a wedding and take part in its festivities. We may be tempted to think we should not take time out from our "important" work for social occasions. But maybe these social occasions are part of our mission. Jesus valued these wedding festivities because they involved people, and Jesus came to be with people. Our mission can often be accomplished in joyous times of celebration with others.

2:1-3: Weddings in Jesus' day were week-long festivals. Banquets would be prepared for many guests, and the week would be spent celebrating the new life of the married couple. Often the whole town was invited, and everybody would come — it was considered an insult to refuse an invitation to a wedding. To accommodate many people, careful planning was needed. To run out of wine was more than embarrassing; it broke the strong unwritten laws of hospitality.

Notes for 2:4: Mary was probably not asking Jesus to do a miracle; she was simply hoping that her son would help solve this major problem and find some wine. Jesus' answer to Mary is difficult to understand, but maybe that is the point. Although Mary did not understand what Jesus was going to do, she trusted him to do what was right.

Notes for 2:5: Mary submitted to Jesus' way of doing things. She recognized that Jesus was more than her human son — he was the Son of God.

Notes for 2:6: The six stone water jars were normally used for ceremonial washing. When full, the pots would hold 20 to 30 gallons. According to the Jews' ceremonial law, people became symbolically unclean by touching objects of everyday life. Before eating, the Jews would pour water over their hands to cleanse themselves of any bad influences associated with what they had touched.

Notes for 2:11: When the disciples saw Jesus' miracle, they believed. The miracle showed his power over nature and revealed the way he would go about his ministry — helping others, speaking with authority, and being in personal touch with people.

2:11: Miracles are not merely superhuman events, but events that demonstrate God's power. Almost every miracle Jesus did was a renewal of fallen creation — restoring sight, making the lame walk, even restoring life to the dead. Believe in Christ not because he is a superman but because he is the God who continues his creation, even in those of us who are poor, weak, crippled, orphaned, blind, deaf, or with some other desperate need for re-creation.