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A Wedding, a Sign, and the Son of God

Click Here to Read John 2:1-12

From the very first words of his Gospel account, John has been establishing Jesus’ deity: as God, Creator, pre-existent, eternal.

The first witness he called was John the Baptist, who was baptizing near Bethany across the Jordan River. John identified Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world1” and as “the Son of God2”. He goes so far as to direct Philip and Nathaniel to Jesus, thus beginning to relinquish his influence to the One who rightly deserved it.

A Wedding

John then places the reader in Cana3, about eight or so miles north of Nazareth, at a wedding. It is here that John the apostle says that Jesus performed the very first sign showing that he is, indeed, Messiah. The witness to his deity, in a moment, shifts from external (John the Baptist’s preaching) to internal (a demonstration of his power).

There is much speculation about the specific meaning of the act itself—changing the water into high quality wine. Some point to the significance of Jesus starting his public ministry at a wedding, foreshadowing the wedding feast of the Lamb, when Jesus marries his bride, the Church. 

Others speculate that the water, used for the purification rites of ancient Israel, was being replaced by a better purification, that is, by Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. Indeed, Jesus later connects the Passover cup to the blood he would shed on the cross4

One might speculate that Jesus turned something common into something remarkable.

However compelling these sound, they are all speculation. But there are things that can be known without speculating.

A Son

First, the relationship that Jesus had with his mother and siblings changed. Mary is mentioned twice in John, here and later while Jesus is hanging on the cross. In both instances, Jesus refers to her as γυνη, “woman”, rather than the more intimate term, “mother”. 

His response to Mary in regards to the lack of wine for celebration reflected that change of relationship. “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not come.” While he is respectful of her, he subtly reminds her that his priorities are now aligned with his role as Messiah, not as her firstborn son.

A Sign

Second, despite what appears to be initial reluctance to comply with her wishes, Jesus quietly does as she asked. Very few in attendance were aware of it: Mary, Jesus, and his disciples. Verse eleven states, “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

These words remind us of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

As the disciples witnessed the sign, which brought to light the glory of the Son, they believed. John always refers to these supernatural occurrences as signs rather than works or miracles. The signs affirmed that Jesus was the anticipated Messiah and is the Son of God. The signs were performed not to impress or gain power, but that you might “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John wrote his Gospel for a wider audience, which included many Gentiles who were unfamiliar with Jewish life and practice. He writes the account in such a way as to produce faith in the reader/hearer.

The Son of God

Jesus, affirmed by his Father at his baptism, by triumphing over Satan in the wilderness, and returning home to begin his public ministry, is found to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” and “the Son of God”.

Questions for reflection:

  • What is your relationship with Jesus? Is it constant or has it changed over time?
  • How have the signs written in John’s Gospel affected your belief? Do you believe?
  • Do your acts of obedience show the glory of Christ in you?
  1. John 1:29 ↩︎
  2. John 1:34 ↩︎
  3. Click on “Cana” above to view a map of the area described in this passage. The map is copyrighted by Logos Bible Software, 2014 ↩︎
  4. Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ↩︎

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