Running on Empty?

Running on Empty?

John 2:1-12 

 

Illus. “On Empty.”

 

In John 2:1-11, we are given the account of Jesus’ first recorded miracle in the Bible. The miracle takes place at a wedding in Cana of Galilee when, upon being informed by His mother that the wine had run out, Jesus responds by giving instructions and then performing a transformation of water into wine. 

 

Read: John 1:35-51

 

There are 37 recorded miracles of Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and of the 37, the book of John gives the account of eight of them. Of the eight recorded in the book, six are unique to the book of John, and the account of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana is only found in this book.

Near the end of the book, John, chapter 20, verse 30, we are told that there were many more miracles performed by Jesus that were not written in the book, but those that are recorded were written so that we may believe Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing we may have life in His name! The result of this miracle would not simply be that water would turn into wine, but Jesus’ disciples would see and believe!

What this tells us then is that this miracle was recorded to show us Jesus and so that we might believe. This morning, I want to pull out several key implications from this story to help those who would say this morning that they are “running on empty.” As we study the account of the wedding at Cana this morning, I want to draw your attention to the invitation, the realization, and Jesus’ instruction and His revelation.

 

1. Invite Jesus into Your Situation

 

John 2:1-3, 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.”

 

• The account given in John two took place on a specific day in a specific town.

 

• We are told that it was on the third day, which looks back on the end of chapter where we are given the accounts of the first days of Jesus’ ministry. In John 1:35 to 51 we are given the details surrounding the calling of his first five disciples. Throughout those verses we are given time indicators.

 

• On the next day (John 1:29-34), the next day after that (John 1:35-42), the following day (John 1:43-51) and now on the third day.

 

• It is the third day of Jesus’ public ministry, and on that third day, He and his first five disciples attend a wedding they were invited to in Cana of Galilee.

 

• Cana is approximately 5 miles from where Jesus grew up in Nazareth. It was likely a Wednesday which is known as the preferred day for a wedding in Israel at that time.

 

• We don’t know who the couple getting married is, but we do know that a wedding was a major social event in those days. The celebration would last upwards of a week, and in those days, it was the groom or his father who was responsible for all the expenses associated with the event.

 

• While we don’t know the couple, it seems that it may have been a relative of Jesus or certainly someone close to their family because Jesus’ mother Mary is involved and concerned about the details and making sure things go smoothly.

 

• While at the wedding a problem arises…the wine ran out.

 

• In that day, to run out of wine at a wedding was an embarrassment, and broke strong unwritten laws of hospitality.

 

• Weddings were oftentimes THE event of a lifetime. If a person was poor, it was likely the only party that person would have in their life and it was important socially to make sure you did things right.

 

• For the groom it indicated your ability to provide not only financially, but relationally. In Jewish thinking, wine was a symbol of joy and celebration.

 

• If a groom ran out of wine, it sent a message that he could provide no joy for his wife or for others.

 

• In other words, it was a social disgrace, and in that day, especially in a small town like Cana of Galilee, the lack of win would be a lasting memory that the couple was not likely to live down.

 

Illus. Weddings gone wrong.

 

• When Mary went to Jesus and said, “They have no wine…They’ve run out of wine!” Jesus knew what that meant, it was a problem!

 

• Mary gets involved personally by going to Jesus.

 

John 2:3, When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

 

• She was likely one of the first to know about the problem and situation. Her first response is to go to Jesus.

 

• The interaction here between Mary and Jesus is familiar because she does not come to Jesus with a specific request, she comes to him and hints at something, or says something without saying it, she intimates her desire for Him to solve the problem.

 

Illus. Without saying it…

 

• It is not initially clear what Mary would like Jesus to do in response. This is the first recorded miracle in the gospels, so we aren’t sure if that is the request. We don’t know if she wanted he and his disciples to go to town and get some wine and bring it back, we aren’t sure at first.

 

• But what we do know is that there is a problem in the situation they are in and Mary turns to Him.

 

• The problem was able to come to Him because he was invited to the wedding and while there, a situation arises and He was given an invitation into the situation.

 

• While it was in that day, it doesn’t seem to be a big problem in the grand scheme of things, but it was to that family.

 

• Jesus was sought out in that situation immediately because of his proximity, He was there, He was present!

 

• The problem arose during the couples wedding, but the key solution to the situation was the invitation they had given to Jesus.

 

Illus. Has Jesus been invited?

 

Psalm 145:18, The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.

 

Isaiah 55:6, Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.

 

Jeremiah 29:12-13, Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

 

1. Realize Nothing is Too Big or Small to Ask of Him

 

• The problem presented to Jesus and the fact that this is Jesus’ first miracle is interesting not simply because of the situation, but what seems to be the reason for His response.

 

• If you put this up against other miracles this one is unique. There was no physical healing, a storm was not stopped, 5,000 weren’t fed, nobody was resurrected from the dead. Now, water doesn’t just simply turn into wine, so, it is a miracle, but the reasoning is interesting.

 

• The reason seems be a response to a social need of the bride and groom at that time, for the purpose of the enjoyment of the guests, and for the enlightenment of His disciples…They would see something, we are told they believed in Him. 

 

• As I mentioned, it was a problem in that day, but there is a lot one could say about it.

 

Illus. Responses.

 

• Though Jesus could have responded in many ways, we will see Him respond in a way that brings enjoyment and enlightenment.

 

• We are often looking for the big things when it comes to the Lord, and that being the case, sometimes we are hesitant to see what He is doing in the small things.

 

Illus. Don’t miss the small things.

 

Zechariah 4:10, Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.

 

James 1:5, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 

Hebrews 4:15-16, For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

 

John 2:3, The wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

 

John 2:4, And Jesus said to her, “What business do you have with Me, woman? My hour has not yet come.”

 

• When Jesus used the term “woman,” it was a term of respect. In that day, it was polite. Jesus will say these words to her when He is on the cross, “Woman, behold your son.” It is similar to someone saying “ma’am.” A term of respect.

 

• What is unique about Jesus’ use of this term is that it is a polite address, but it is more formal than a normal address between mother and son.

 

• It indicates that as He enters into His public ministry, there was a shift in the relationship, earthly relationships were not what would determine His course of action, rather, it would be His relationship to God the Father.

 

John 8:29, He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

 

• Jesus asks a question in response to Mary’s request, “what business do you have with me?” Or “what does your concern have to do with me?”

 

• It is a rhetorical question that indicates they were thinking differently.

 

• Jesus also says that His hour had not yet come.

 

• In the book of John and throughout the Gospels, Jesus will reference “His hour” many times. It is a reference to His death, burial, resurrection and glorification. When Jesus would take His seat as Messiah.

 

• Jesus reference to “His Hour” gives strong indication that Mary was asking for something big from Him.

 

• Perhaps she desired an unmistakable sign that He is the Messiah, “show them all!”

 

Illus. It’s time!

 

• It seemed at first that Jesus would not help because it wasn’t His hour, but He ended up responding to the need in a way that made His deity unmistakable.

 

John 2:5, His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.”

 

• When you are running on empty, nothing is too big or small to ask of Him, but it is important to respond to His answer by doing whatever He tells you.

 

• Neither Mary, nor the servant knew at that point what would take place, but these words of Mary, the last words recorded by Mary, are important for you and me.

 

III.  Fully Follow His Every Instruction

 

John 2:6-8, Now there were six stone waterpots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures 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.” And they took it to him.

 

• The instructions Jesus gave to those serving at the wedding were to first go over to some stone water pots and fill them with water.

 

• Jesus could have performed this miracle in any way he wished, but he started with what was there.

 

• The stone water pots on hand were there specifically for the ceremonial washing of hands. Jews did not eat unless they carefully washed their hands before and after meals.

 

• These stone pots were used for washing hands and each jar held 20 to 30 gallons of water.

 

• Jesus’ instruction was to fill the waterpots with water, and in response, they will the waterpots to the brim.

 

• The brim is the top edge…In other words, they heard Jesus’ instructions and followed them fully.

 

• Historically, this detail is noted as one that ensures there was nothing else added to the water, the wine was truly a miracle.

 

• Presently, reading Jesus’ instruction and miracle that follows is informative for our own stories.

 

• When you are on empty, when you are in a situation or season where you are lacking and you come to Jesus personally, it is important that you follow His instructions fully.

 

Illus. Both feet in.

 

• The servants don’t just will the water pots halfway, they fill them all the way, to the brim.

 

• Had they filled them a quarter of the way, they would have gotten a quarter of the wine, halfway, half of the wine, but they filled them to the full and Jesus gave a full supply.

 

Joshua 1:8, This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.

 

Illus. Fully Follow.

 

• The servants had no idea what would happen when they filled the water pots, they simply but surely followed His instructions, and Jesus provided abundantly.

 

• From verse 7 we learn of Jesus next instruction. They were to draw some water out and take it to the headwaiter and they again followed Jesus’ instruction.

 

John 2:9-10, Now 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 groom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the guests are drunk, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

 

• Some have mistakenly read many things into this text. Specifically, they have taken the response of the head waiter to mean something it does not regarding drunkenness.  

 

Illus. Questions.

 

• From verses 9 and 10, we learn that only Jesus’ servant knew where the wine had come from. The headwaiter wasn’t aware. The groom wasn’t aware. But Jesus miracle was seen by those who were close to Him, those who had followed His instruction.

 

1. Let His Revelation Compel You to Remain with Him

 

John 2:11-12, This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother, and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

 

• We know from verse 11 that this was the beginning of Jesus’ signs. Other translations say “the first” of Jesus’ signs.

 

• It was an interesting sign, a surprising sign, some might say a peculiar sign to help bring revelation to those who were close to Jesus.

 

• But what was seen by them brough revelation of His glory, and it compelled them to remain with Him.

 

Illus. Turning back.

 

Matthew 11:28-30, Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

 

Illus. What do you need?

 

John 2:1-12