Water to Wine / John 2:1-11

Summer Teaching Series and the Signs of John

It is super good to be with you this week. We are entering into something we call the summer teaching series. If you have been around for a number of years, you know that typically summer means a couple of things. One is those kids that have been at school and giving you a bit of a reprieve are now at home, which changes the game a little bit. It also means it is about to get stinking hot, because in case you did not know, you live in Fresno. It is not quite as hot as Sheol, but it sure feels close to that.

The other thing is our summer teaching series. Because we are an equipping church, we want to train and equip not just the body of Christ to be the body, but we want to train and equip pastors to be better pastors. So we open up the teaching for the summer, and we are going to have fourteen different communicators teaching all summer long. I am doing the introduction this week, but for the remainder of the summer—for the next seven weeks—it is going to be live everywhere. Every gathering at every campus will have a live communicator.

We have a very talented staff and a group of young communicators who are developing their craft. We prep together as a team every Tuesday. Our teaching team meets and wrestles with the text together, sharing files and resources because we believe we are better together. When our communicators teach, we give them feedback on what worked and what they can work on next time. The goal is to train and equip pastors to be better pastors. You get to sit under their teaching and enjoy watching them develop their craft.

This series is a standalone series, meaning the messages do not necessarily stack on top of each other. If you go to Shaver Lake or head to the coast, you can step out, come back, and not feel like you missed part of the movie. This summer, we are walking through the signs and miracles captured in the Gospel of John.

If you read through all four Gospel accounts and count up the miraculous events instigated or performed by Jesus, you will find about thirty-six miracles. Out of those thirty-six, John chooses to record only seven. Interestingly, John never uses the term “miracle.” He uses the term “sign.” John wants to show you seven real, miraculous events that occurred, but he calls them signs because they point to an even grander story. They point to something bigger than the miracle itself.

There is actually no mystery as to why John chose these seven. At the end of his gospel, in chapter 20, he tells us plainly why he wrote them down.

John 20:30-31 (NASB)

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

John is telling us: “I chose these seven so that you would be impressed with what happened, yes, but more importantly, that you would see who did it and be impressed with Him—that you might believe He is the Christ and have life in His name.”

The First Sign at Cana

With that foundation laid, we turn to the very first sign in John chapter 2.

John 2:1-11 (NASB)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’ Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the waterpots with water.’ So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, ‘Draw [some] out now and take it to the headwaiter.’ So they took it [to him]. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, ‘Every man serves the good wine first, and when [the people] have drunk freely, [then he serves] the poorer [wine]; [but] you have kept the good wine until now.’ This beginning of [His] signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Part of the first-century Jewish expectation of the Messiah was a miracle-working expectation. They longed to see a Messiah who would do supernatural things. In Luke 4, Jesus goes into the synagogue at Nazareth and quotes from Isaiah 61.

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NASB)

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

Luke 4:18-19 (NASB)

‘THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.’

Everyone in that moment was in awe because they knew that passage was a prophecy of who the Messiah would be. Then Jesus said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

They longed for a miracle-working Messiah. Even John the Baptist, who grew up related to Jesus, eventually sent disciples to ask, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” Jesus responded essentially by saying, “Go report to John what you have seen and heard.” His miracles authenticated the fact that He was the One they had been waiting for.

Mary’s Unique Perspective

Nobody lived in expectation quite like Mary. Mary had some insider knowledge regarding who Jesus was. Think back to the Christmas story when the angels appeared to the shepherds in the field, declaring that Christ the King was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds found Mary and Joseph, told them everything the angel had said, and Scripture records that Mary treasured all these things in her heart.

As a mother raising this child, it would have taken about a nanosecond to realize this was no ordinary kid. This boy always cleaned His room, brushed His teeth, and ate His vegetables. He never stole from His brothers. He did not get selfish, throw temper tantrums, or mouth off to His mom. While the other kids were out in the street playing stickball and hitting each other with sticks, Jesus did not participate in that. Mary watched Him and treasured these things in her heart.

When Jesus was twelve years old, His parents accidentally left Him behind in Jerusalem. After three days of panic, they found Him in the temple courts, conversing with the religious leaders. When Mary asked Him why He had done this, He replied, “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

Luke 2:49 (NASB)

And He said to them, ‘Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s [house]?’

Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Mary had a front-row seat for thirty years. She watched His sinless perfection, listened to Him talk about the Scriptures, and saw His relationship with the Heavenly Father. She knew He was the Messiah. For thirty years, He had stayed under the radar as a carpenter. But now, at age thirty, He had left Nazareth, traveled to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, called disciples, and stepped into public ministry. Mary knew something significant was shifting.

The Hebrew Wedding Tradition

This brings us to the wedding at Cana. Weddings in ancient Jewish culture were massive, joyous celebrations lasting several days. Marriages were arranged, but it was not about forcing two people together. Fathers would talk, introduce their children, and see if there was chemistry. Once agreed upon, the groom paid a bride price to the bride’s family.

After that, the groom would return to his father’s house and spend an undetermined amount of time building an addition onto the home. The groom’s father acted like the general contractor and inspector, ensuring the room was built correctly. Meanwhile, the bride simply waited, ready at any moment. When the father finally gave his stamp of approval, the groom and his friends would travel, often at night with torches, to claim his bride and begin the festivities.

The imagery here is undeniable. We are the bride of Christ, waiting for our Bridegroom to return, the One who promised us:

John 14:1-3 (NASB)

’Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ’In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ’If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, [there] you may be also.

At the wedding, the couple would enter into the marriage covenant, sign legal documents, and the feast would begin. In Middle Eastern culture, hospitality was paramount. Even an enemy seeking shelter was guaranteed hospitality for three days. At a multi-day wedding celebration where wine symbolized joy, running out of wine was a profound social crisis and a source of deep shame for the family.

The Sovereign Plan and the Crisis

Mary was clearly involved in helping coordinate the festivities, because she noticed the shortage and spoke directly to the servants. When the wine ran out, she went straight to Jesus and said, “They have no wine.”

Why did she say that? For years, people have wondered if Jesus had performed quiet miracles at home. But John explicitly tells us in verse 11 that this was the beginning of His signs. Jesus had never flexed His divine power like this before. Mary simply recognized that His thirty years of quiet preparation were over. She saw Him gathering disciples and walking in a new authority. As a mother who notices everything, she sensed it was time.

Jesus responded to her: “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

Do not misunderstand His words as disrespectful. The term “woman” was an expression of respect and polite endearment, similar to saying “dear lady.” It is the very same word Jesus used from the cross when He lovingly entrusted Mary to the Apostle John.

John 19:26-27 (NASB)

When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his own [household].

What Jesus was clarifying to Mary was that her maternal authority did not govern His messianic mission. There was a sovereign timetable established by the Father. Scripture makes it clear that God works according to His predetermined plan.

Galatians 4:4 (NASB)

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

Acts 2:23 (NASB)

this [Man], delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put [Him] to death.

Jesus reminded Mary that the Father calls the shots. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly notes that His time had not yet come, until chapter 12, when He finally declares, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

Even so, Jesus showed tremendous grace. Mary turned to the servants and gave them the best advice anyone can ever receive: “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Abundance from Empty Religion

Standing nearby were six stone waterpots used for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. That is a combined capacity of 120 to 180 gallons.

Some critics question why there would be so much wine, arguing that nobody could drink that amount. But abundance is the entire point. This sign was not merely about meeting a practical need; it was a display of lavish, messianic abundance. Isaiah prophesied of this very reality.

Isaiah 55:1 (NASB)

’Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.

Jesus told the servants to fill the pots with water, and they filled them to the brim. There was no room for anything else to be added. He then told them to draw some out and take it to the master of the feast. When the headwaiter tasted it, he called the bridegroom over in astonishment. Usually, people served the good wine first, and brought out the cheaper wine after guests had indulged. But here, the best wine had been saved for last.

Some folks wonder about the nature of wine in Scripture. The Bible clearly condemns drunkenness and warns against the abuse of alcohol.

Ephesians 5:18 (NASB)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Proverbs 23:29-30 (NASB)

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine.

At the same time, Scripture recognizes wine in its proper context as a blessing representing celebration and joy.

Psalms 104:14-15 (NASB)

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make [his] face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 (NASB)

Go [then], eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works.

Believers are called to walk in wisdom, discernment, and self-control, submitting to Scripture and honoring God with their conscience. But do not miss the spiritual meaning of the sign itself.

Consider what took place: Jesus arrived at a wedding that had fallen into crisis. The joy had run dry. He took six stone jars—vessels dedicated to external religious washings and ritual purification—jars that were sitting empty. He filled them to overflowing and transformed plain water into the finest wine.

Jesus was demonstrating that religious rituals and legalistic systems are empty shells that can never produce lasting joy. Human religion leaves people dry and in need of something more. Jesus came to take what was empty and bring life, joy, and spiritual fullness. He is the true source of abundant life.

Believing in the Son of God

This first sign revealed the glory of Christ. He showed that He was not merely a good moral teacher or a local prophet, but the divine Son of God who holds power over creation itself.

Verse 11 concludes by telling us that His disciples believed in Him. Their journey of faith was just beginning, and they had a lot left to learn, but they saw His glory and placed their trust in Him. Miracles throughout Scripture always serve to authenticate the messenger and confirm the divine message.

This brings us back to where we started in John 20. John recorded these signs so that you and I would look past the miracle to the Savior who performed it.

John 20:31 (NASB)

but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

The journey of Jesus revealing His glory began at a wedding in Cana with a lavish display of grace, turning water into wine. Whenever we try to put God into our own small box, He blows the walls out. He refuses to be confined to our religious expectations, continually inviting us to look to Him in fresh faith.

Let us pray.

Father, thank You for Your Word and for this passage that reveals Christ to us in a fresh way. Thank You that You make all things new, taking what is ordinary and making it extraordinary. You bring joy and abundance through Jesus Christ, Your Son. I pray that we would believe in Him deeply and embrace the fullness of life found in His name. May we see Him clearly for who He truly is. In Jesus’ name, amen.