Here is the effect of Jesus’ miracle.  Jesus did miracles as a sign so that we believe.

(11) This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.  (12) After this he went down to Capernaum, he and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.  (John 2:11-12)

Explanation

We see that Jesus miracle had a three fold effect. First, that the miracle manifested forth his glory. The word used here for miracle is σημεῖον which is translated other places as “sign”. Sometimes the word miracles is translated from the word δύναμις which is often translated power. One word speaks more to what the miracle signified, and the other to the supernatural power of the miracle. Here it is clear what John is emphasizing. The miracle was a sign to confirm that He was the Messiah. 

Not only did the miracle manifest forth his glory. The second effect is that his disciples believed on him. This sign was a confirmation of what they had already seen and suspected. Jesus Christ really was the messiah.

The last effect is seen in verse 12. His disciples, along with his family continued with him. The disciples were continuing to follow him. Jesus had promised Nathanael that he would see “greater things than these”, and that was soon shown to be the case.

Application

I love what commentator and Pastor, Warren Weirsbe, said about this miracle.

If our Lord had preached a sermon after He turned the water into wine, what might He have said? For one thing, He likely would have told the people that the world’s joy always runs out and cannot be regained, but the joy He gives is ever new and ever satisfying. (In the Scriptures, wine is a symbol of joy. See Jdg 9:13 and Psa 104:15.) The world offers the best at the first, and then, once you are “hooked,” things start to get worse. But Jesus continues to offer that which is best until we one day enjoy the finest blessings in the eternal kingdom (Luk 22:18). But our Lord would certainly have a special message here for His people, Israel. In the Old Testament, the nation is pictured as “married” to God and unfaithful to her marriage covenant (Isa 54:5; Jer 31:32; Hos 2:2). The wine ran out, and all Israel had left were six empty waterpots! They held water for external washings, but they could provide nothing for internal cleaning and joy. In this miracle, our Lord brought fullness where there was emptiness, joy where there was disappointment, and something internal for that which was only external (water for ceremonial washings).

Response

1. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is who he said He is?
2. Is your walk with the Lord based on empty ritual or a thriving relationship with God through Jesus?

Summary thought: Jesus does the miracle, and uses others in the process!

(9) When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (10) And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth the good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (John 2:9-10)

Explanation

It’s clear from the text that when the person in charge of the event tasted the wine he was impressed.  He knew nothing of its source in Jesus.  What he did know was the best tasting wine had just been brought out, and that this was not the normal procedure.  The law of diminishing returns is in effect, meaning the first taste is generally the best taste.  In planning out an event, first impressions are critical, and that means usually the best is what you start with.  In this case he noticed that the best now has come out at the end.  

Just a few thoughts about this miracle.

Jesus often used human instrumentation in the performing of his miracles.  The disciples hand out the bread as Jesus makes a few loves and fishes feed 5,000.  He has people loose the grave clothes off of Lazarus after he’s raised.  He has the blind man wash the mud off of his face in the pool.  Here he has the servants fill the water pots and take the wine to the governor of the feast.  He doesn’t know the miracle, but they are in on it.

Jesus demonstrates His power over his creation.  The first miracles here display that Christ the degree to which he has power, even to make the wine taste good.  What takes natural process to make water turn into the product of the vine, the Lord does in a mere moment.  He was the agent by which the world were made, and he is keeping it all together. (Collossians 1:14-17)  It is not far fetched that he can effect it in this supernatural way.  

Application

We ought to long for God to use us.

We are not God, and cannot do what He does in our own power. Yet, God has chosen to use us. When he does, and we obey, we have merely done our duty.

Luke 17:10

10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

He doesn’t have to use us, yet He often does. When we do we get to enjoy the miraculous. We don’t save people, but we can be there when people get saved. We don’t heal people, but we can pray for people to be healed and watch God do it. How blessed we are to be used.

We ougth love and worship the Creator, and enjoy the created.  God made creation to declare His glory, and it can be righteously enjoyed. He made the senses. He invented taste, feel, smell, touch, and sight. We can use our senses to identify the reality of God, and to enjoy Him and worship Him as well. Paul told Timothy to give a particular message to the rich people to which he ministered:

1 Timothy 6:17-19

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Response

1. Look for ways that God maybe wanting to use you today. Are you ready to be used?
2. Is your enjoyment of the created thing coming before your relationship with the Creator? How can you address this?

(6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. (John 2:6-8)

Explain

“after the manner of the purifying of the Jews”

The jews had traditions and even some laws about washing. These waterpots were made of stone which made them more impervious to things that would make it unclean. The people at this feast were doing things the traditional and biblical way, which is more evidence that Jesus was not doing something that would encourage drunkeness.

firkins

The greek word is μετρητής and is equal to about 9 gallons. This would make each stone waterpot roughly 18 to 27 gallons apiece.

“Jesus saith unto them, “, “and they filled them”, “And he saith unto them”, “And they bare it.”

Jesus took charge of the situation in telling the servants what to do, and in the course of the story, the servants were obedient to what he said in keeping with the encouragement of Mary.

Application

While this section of scripture serves as the description of what happens, something can be said about propriety. There is a right and wrong way to conduct ourselves, and a wedding, while celebratory in nature, ought to be taken seriously in the scope of what it means and what is being accomplished. There really is a season for everything, and certain behaviors and etiquette that goes with each season of life.

Also something can be said for Jesus’ authority. Here he is exerting authority over these men, over his mother, and over the natural processes itself. 

Response

1. Basic obedience to Jesus. How’s it going?
2. Appropriateness- Do you have discernment to know when to say and behave in the right ways at the right time?

(5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5)

Explanation

Not much explanation is needed here. The picture of Mary given here shows a more mature and experienced woman of years and influence, compared to the virgin visited by the angel. She shows confidence in her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Her commendation of Him is clear. She tells the servants to do whatever he says.

Mary has faith in her son. She believes that He can take care of the problem. She knows that He is the Son of God, and the Messiah of Israel. In this moment she acts on what she knows, and influences others because of such knowledge.

Application

It ought to be the same with us. We know more about Jesus than Mary did at this time. We know that He died and rose again. We know what the rest of the New Testament tells us about Him. We know of His authority and example. We should use our influence to help people to obey Him. We should “teach them to observe all that (he) has commanded us.”

Response

1. Are you doing whatever He has told you?
2. Who do you need to influence today to be obedient to Jesus?