God Saves The Best Wine Till Last – Part 1
JOHN 2:1-25 – STUDY TEXT
JOHN 2:1-11 – TODAY’S TEXT
In JOHN CHAPTER 2, we find the record of the “FIRST”, of at least 50 recorded miracles, in which the Lord Jesus was involved in (His birth, transformation, ascension, etc.) or was performed directly, by Christ Jesus.
* In this chapter, there are TWO EVENTS detailed, which illustrate the “EMPTINESS AND DEFICIENCY”, OF JUDAISM, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TIMES.
* (1). The EMPTY WATER JARS AT “THE WEDDING FEAST” (JOHN 2:1-11) describe the CONDITION of Judaism, IN MEETING THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE (IT WAS ALL CEREMONY AND POMP), BUT DID NOT MEET THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE.
* (2). This “SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS” is further described in “THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE” (JOHN 2:12-22), AND THAT JUDAISM WAS CORRUPT AND WAS NOT TRULY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY THE GENTILE PEOPLE), WAS CORRUPTED, AND COMPROMISED “THE WORD OF GOD” – FOR MONEY PROFIT, AND FAME!
JOHN 2:1 – “And the THIRD DAY there was a MARRIAGE in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there”:
JOHN 2:2 – “And both Jesus was CALLED, and His disciples, to the marriage”.
“CALLED” – Is the Strong’s Greek word # 2564, “Kaleo”, and means: “To call, to call aloud, to invite, to be called, i.e., to bear a name or a title (among men)”.
This Greek word is FIRST found in the King James New Testament Bible, at Jesus’s “First Coming” in MATTHEW 1:21:
MATTHEW 1:21 – “And SHE (MARY) shall bring forth a son, and thou shall CALL (#2564) HIS NAME JESUS: FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS”.
*THE APOSTLE JOHN’S USE OF THE WORD “KALEO” – TO BELIEVERS, WHO ARE ISSUED A “WEDDING INVITATION” – TO THE GREATEST WEDDING IN ETERNITY!
The LAST THREE PLACES, where this Greek word is found, in the King James New Testament Bible, are at Jesus’s “Second Coming”, in REVELATION 19:9, 11, 13:
REVELATION 19:9 – “And He said unto me, Write, BLESSED WHICH IS CALLED (#2564) UNTO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. And He saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God”.
REVELATION 19:11 – “And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was CALLED (#2564) FAITHFUL AND TRUE AND IN RIGHTEOUSNESS HE DOTH JUDGE AND MAKE WAR”.
REVELATION 19:13 – “And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is CALLED (#2564) THE WORD OF GOD”.
* THE CONTEXT OF REVELATION CHAPTER 19 IS ABOUT THE COMING GREAT RELIGIOUS DIVIDE – BETWEEN THE “ONE WORLD RELIGION” (“THE GREAT WHORE” – REVELATION 19:2) AND THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD!
IT IS ABOUT HOW “THE BRIDEGROOM” (CHRIST JESUS) IS COMING AGAIN, FOR HIS “BRIDE” (THE BODY OF CHRIST) – WHO HAS PREPARED HERSELF (REVELATION 19:7) FOR THE COMING “MARRIAGE SUPPER” AND CONSUMMATION OF THE MARRIAGE!
JOHN 2:3 – “AND WHEN THEY WANTED WINE, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, THEY HAVE NO WINE”.
* THERE ARE FOUR SYMBOLS OF “THE HOLY GHOST” OR “THE HOLY SPIRIT” – THAT ARE FOUND IN THE NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE, AND THOSE FOUR SYMBOLS ARE: WATER (JOHN 7:38), WIND (JOHN3:8, WINE (EPHESIANS 5:18), AND FIRE (ACTS 2:3).
* “AND WHEN THEY WANTED WINE” – “THEY HAVE NO WINE.”
“WINE” – Is one of the most unusual symbols relating to “The Holy Ghost”. In two critical passages in the New Testament Bible, the comparison is drawn between the effects of physical wine and the effects of “The Holy Ghost”.
On the day of “The Feast of Pentecost”, in Acts 2, “The Holy Ghost” came in great force on the assembly of believers. Certain supernatural gifts accompanied the descent of “The Holy Spirit” – a sound like rushing wind, the appearance of something like tongues of fire, and the miraculous ability to speak in other tongues for the proclamation of Biblical truth. It was the last manifestation that captured the attention of the multitude of Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for “The Feast of Pentecost”.
THEY WERE STUNNED TO HEAR RELATIVELY UNEDUCATED MEN FROM GALILEE SPEAK FOREIGN LANGUAGES, THEY HAD NEVER KNOWN BEFORE. Evidently, the disciples spoke at least 15 different languages or dialects that day. No one could deny that something unusual was happening.
But as is often the case, when unbelievers encounter the work of God, they try to explain it away in purely natural terms. They thought the disciples had been drinking too much and were simply babbling under the influence of alcohol. The first words of Peter’s sermon, confirms us of this fact: “These men are not drunk as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning” (ACTS 2:15). He went on to say, that what had happened was a fulfillment (partially at least”, of JOEL 2:12-32), which predicted a universal outpouring of God’s Spirit, in “THE LAST DAYS”!
*The key phrase of the Book of Joel is: “The Day of the Lord”, and is found FIVE TIMES, in the Book of Joel (JOEL1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14. FIVE IS THE NUMBER THAT REPRESENTS GOD’S GRACE!
* WHO IS GOD GOING TO POUR OUT HIS HOLY SPIRIT UPON – RIGHT BEFORE “THE DAY OF THE LORD” – RIGHT BEFORE “THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST JESUS”?
THE ANSWER IS – “UPON ALL FLESH” (JEW AND GENTILE) – JOEL 2:28!
JOEL 2:23 – “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: FOR HE HATH GIVEN YOU THE FORMER RAIN MODERATELY, AND HE WILL CAUSE TO COME DOWN FOR YOU THE RAIN, THE FORMER RAIN, AND THE LATTER RAIN IN THE FIRST MONTH”.
For the purpose of our study here, note that unbelievers confuse the coming of “The Holy Ghost” with the power of WINE. A similar comparison occurs in EPHESIANS 5:18– “AND BE NOT DRUNK WITH WINE, WHEREIN IS EXCESS; BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT”.
What precisely is the point of COMPARISON, between PHYSICAL WINE AND “THE HOLY SPIRIT”?
* DOUBTLESS, THE ISSUE IS INFLUENCE AND CONTROL!
A person under the influence of WINE experiences altered behavior. He or she may say or do things he or she would not ordinarily do. Emotions may be heightened for a brief period, causing the person to experience anger, followed quickly by elation, and then by depression. If a person drinks enough wine, his or her mental process will be affected, and decision-making ability will be radically altered, almost always with a negative result.
* LIKEWISE, THE OUTPOURING OF “THE HOLY GHOST” PRODUCES A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR!
* In the Book of Acts, once timid disciples became flaming evangelists for Jesus Christ. EPHESIANS 5:19-21, the Apostle Paul mentioned three practical results of the filling of “The Holy Ghost: (1) JOYFUL SINGING, (2) A THANKFUL HEART, (3) AN ATTITUDE OF GODLY SUBMISSION.
The last result is most significant because true submission always involves giving up your right to be in control in every situation. When we submit from the heart, we are saying I don’t have to have my way all the time. Only a heart touched by “The Holy Ghost” can maintain such an attitude in every relationship of life.
Two other biblical passages also shed light on this symbol. When Jesus warned against “PUTTING NEW WINE IN OLD WINE SKINS” (MATTHEW 9:16, 17), CHRIST JESUS WAS TEACHING US THAT “THE NEW GOSPEL OF GRACE” COULD NEVER BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE OLD FORMS OF THE LAW.
In JOHN 2, Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding Feast of Cana. This miracle not only demonstrated Jesus’ power over nature, but it also confirmed the JOY that Jesus brings to human life through the transforming ministry of “The Holy Ghost”!
* WHILE MOSES TURNED WATER INTO BLOOD, AS A SIGN OF JUDGMENT (EXODUS 7:14-24) – CHRIST JESUS TURNED WATER INTO WINE, AS A SIGN THAT SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE HAD COME AT LAST TO THE WORLD!
When police arrest someone for driving while intoxicated, the charge is called “D.U.I. – “Driving under the influence”. PERHAPS WE SHOULD PRAY, THAT WE WOULD BE CHARGED BY GOD, WITH “L.U.I.” – “LIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE” OF THE HOLY GHOST!
JOHN 2:4 – “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE? MINE HOUR IS NOT YET COME”.
*“HOUR” – Is the Strong’s Greek word #5610, “ Hora”, and means “ANY short, definite, fixed or appointed time”.
* “MINE HOUR IS NOT YET COME – This expression, “MINE HOUR,” is generally used in the Gospel of John, of the short time period that would lead up to the death of Christ Jesus. BUT, it is mostly used because His death in those passages is the subject.
MATTHEW 26:45 – “Then cometh He to His disciples, and said unto them, sleep on now, and take your rest: BEHOLD, THE HOUR (#5610) IS AT HAND, AND THE SON OF MAN IS BETRAYED INTO THE HANDS OF SINNERS”.
Therefore, here in this portion of Scripture, it is that “short” and important time, of Christ Jesus’ self-manifestation to men, by miracles, concerning who He is and why He came!.
* HOWEVER, THIS “HOUR”, CAN ALSO REFER TO CHRIST JESUS’ “SECOND COMING”:
REVELATION 14:6 – “And I saw another ANGEL fly in the midst of Heaven, having the EVERLASTING GOSPEL TO PREACH unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people”,
REVELATION 14:7 – “Saying with a loud voice, FEAR GOD, AND GIVE GLORY TO HIM; FOR THE HOUR (#5610) OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME (SECOND COMING): AND WORSHIP HIM that made Heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters”.
JOHN 2:5 – “His mother said unto the servants, WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT”.
* “WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT” – THIS IS VERY GOOD ADVICE TODAY – AND WAS MARY’S LAST RECORDED WORDS IN THE BIBLE!
JOHN 2:6 – “And there were set there SIX (EARTHEN) WATER POTS OF STONE, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece”.
THE NUMBER “SIX”, IN THE BIBLE, IS THE NUMBER USED TO DESCRIBE “MAN” (MANKIND).
JOHN 2:7 –“Jesus said unto them, FILL THE WATER POTS with water. AND THEY FILLED THEM UP TO THE BRIM”.
* “AND THEY FILLED THEM (THE SIX WATER POTS OF STONE) UP TO THE BRIM” – THE SERVANTS OBEYED IMMEDIATELY – WITHOUT HESITATION – BECAUSE THEY WERE IN A DESPERATE SITUATION!
* IF ONLY “THE CHURCH” WOULD GET DESPERATE – FOR “THE HOLY GHOST” TO – “FILL US UP TO THE BRIM” – IN OUR DESPERATION!
2 CORINTHIANS 4:3 – “But if our GOSPEL (THE GOSPEL OF GOD’S GRACE) be hid, it is hid to them that are lost”:
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which BELIEVE NOT, LEAST THE LIGHT OF THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, SHOULD SHINE UNTO THEM”.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:5 – “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your SERVANTS for Jesus’s sake”.
* 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 – “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, HATH SHINED IN OUR HEARTS, TO GIVE THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST”.
* GOD WILL GIVE THE CHURCH IN “THE LAST DAYS” – THE FULLNESS (UP TO THE BRIM) – “THE MINISTRY OF POWER” – IN THE HOLY GHOST – TO MANIFEST IN OUR LIVES – “THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS (MATTHEW 18:18)”!
2 CORINTHIANS 4:7 – “BUT WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS, THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF GOD, AND NOT OF US”.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:8 – “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair”;
2 CORINTHIANS 4:9 – “PERSECUTED, but not forsaken; CAST DOWN, but not destroyed”;
* 2 CORINTHIANS 4:10 – “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, THAT THE LIFE ALSO OF JESUS MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST IN OUR BODY”.
* 2 CORINTHIANS 4:11 – “For we which are alive are always delivered unto death for Jesus’s sake, THAT THE LIFE ALSO OF JESUS MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST IN OUR MORTAL FLESH”.
JOHN 2:8 – “And you saith unto them, draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bear it”.
JOHN 2:9 –“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”,
* JOHN 2:10 – “And saith unto Him, every man at the BEGINNING JUST SET FORTH GOOD WINE; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: BUT THOU HAST KEPT THE GOOD WINE UNTIL NOW”.
* “BUT THOU HAST KEPT THE GOOD WINE UNTIL NOW (LAST)” – HERE IS THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THESE WORDS – THE PRINCIPLE IS: “THAT FOR GOD’S PEOPLE – THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
* WITHOUT GOD – THE LAST IS ALWAYS THE WORST! IF SIN CONCEALS THE WORSE BEHIND TOMORROW – MAY IT NOT CONCEAL THE WORST BEHIND THE GRAVE!
JOHN 2:11 – “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and HIS DISCIPLES BELIEVED ON HIM”.
