As the Light of the world, Jesus revealed God’s glory. Jesus showed he is better than man’s plans and abilities. In the previous chapter, John recorded Jesus calling disciples by name. God gave Jesus the name Messiah, or Anointed One. He was anointed to call people to himself, for the glory of God the Father.
Read John 2:1-5.
- At this point in his life and early ministry, Jesus was (still) accepted (enough) to be invited to this gathering.
- Jesus attended this wedding feast in Cana with his mother and his brothers; it’s possible a family member or friend was getting married.
- Readers have the same question(s) as Jesus:
- Why did his mother tell him to do something? Does this show motherly pride in her son? Did she want to “help” him along in ministry?
- Jesus said it was not yet the time “appointed to him in which he [was] to do [ministry*] or suffer.”1
- Even though it was not yet time, Jesus honored his mother.
- Jesus can make his glory known, even when the situation is not as originally intended.
- Mary trusted Jesus to work in the situation.
- This passage doesn’t mention Mary by name—John kept the focus on Jesus.
What might “the third day” mean?**
Why do you think Jesus honored his mother’s request?
How did Jesus use this experience to make his glory known?
Read John 2:6-10.
- Jews used this water for ritual cleansing before and after meals.2
- Jesus walked the servants through the steps one step at a time.
- He didn’t show them the whole picture ahead of time.
- The servants took the jars to the master, the one “who had the direction of the entertainment [and] arrangement of the guests,” who oversaw the banquet.3
- The master knew the difference between excellence and cheaper (wine).
- Throughout John’s account, we’ll read Jesus’ declarations, I AM.
- He is the bread of life that came down from heaven (John 6:35, 41, 48).
- He is living water. (John 7:37-38).
- He is life (John 11:25, 14:6).
- Jesus is better.
Why do you think Jesus used water set aside for ceremonial washing?
What can we learn from how Jesus interacted with the servants?
What is the greater value in what Jesus provides?
Which declaration by Jesus is most meaningful for you? Why?
Read John 2:11-12.
- The signs and “miracles [performed] by Jesus [served] as proof and to further [his] divine mission.”4
- The miracle had a purpose: to reveal Jesus’ glory.
- Jesus used this sign to openly show his glory and make it known.5
- Jeremiah wrote,
“Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
proclaim it in the distant coastlands:
He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd. …
“They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more” (Jeremiah 31:10, 12).
- His disciples put their faith in Jesus.
- They believed he was not only a teacher from God, but also the Messiah sent from God.6
- John implied others followed him, although not yet specifically called.
- Later Jesus appointed men by name as his apostles (along with the original four).
How does Jesus’ first miracle point to God’s glory?
What connection do you make between this event and Jeremiah 31:12?
Why did the disciples believe Jesus was a teacher and the Messiah sent from God?
How does Jesus call us by name today?
**my interpretation
**For additional, interesting reading:
St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church, “On the third day”–A Sermon for Epiphany 2, John 2:1-11, January 22
https://stjuliansaustin.org/latest-happenings/on-the-third-day-a-sermon-for-epiphany-2-john-21-11
- Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (AMG Publishers, 1992), 1500.
- Bible Hub https://biblehub.com/greek/2512.htm
- Zodhiates, 267.
- Zodhiates, 1286.
- Zodhiates, 1435.
- Zodhiates, 1161.