Warning: Don’t let the simplicity of the writing in the Gospel of John trick you.
If you do, you’ll miss out on the beauty, the richness, the depth, the holy aha! that awaits you.
Today, we read Day Five of the #LentChallenge. But I’m still wonderstruck by what I discovered on Day Four. I feel compelled to share this with you today.
The first chapter of John introduces us to the Baptizer who introduces us to Jesus.
The second chapter of John takes a sharp, throw us off the bus, left turn.
We depart the riverbanks of the Jordan, the brilliance of the Spirit descending, for a peasant’s party.
Jesus attends a wedding, His mother and disciples in tow.
The writer of John doesn’t waste words. We soon discover the tension.
The wine runs dry.
Today, a caterer or hotel manager would scoot to a nearby store to restock. Such an option wasn’t readily available in ancient times.
In the Middle East, wine provides a cash crop, much like olive oil.
Archaeologists note that in many of the ancient plots of land, traces of vines remain. It wasn’t uncommon for rows of families to nurture and harvest grapes each year—right from their backyards.
The poor scrimped and saved for the food and wine that accompanied a wedding, often for many years.
Why?
Cruel judgments and unkind words were spoken of those who couldn’t throw a wedding in style. Oh, how the Grilled lamb and dates and honey-filled treats would have flowed freely.*
Thus, when the wine runs dry during the festivities, much is at stake for the family.
But much more is at stake than the host’s embarrassment.
If you use the Color Method for John 2:1-12, you’ll notice only one name appears in the entire the text: Jesus.
There’s mention of Jesus’ mother, the woman. The master of ceremonies. The disciples. Yes. But the only person named is Jesus.
Jesus is the center of the story.
Also, Mary will never be named in the Gospel of John. For the remaining chapters, she is the “mother of Jesus” (John 6:42, 19:25-27) or “woman” (John 19:26).
It’s easy to over-emphasize Jesus’ response to his mother. “I can’t help you now.” “It isn’t yet my time for miracles.”
The real zazzle resides in the woman’s response: Do whatever he tells you.
From this moment on, everything changes.
For them. For us.
Water becomes wine. To give it rhyme, H20 becomes Merlot.
Of all the miracles, this was Jesus’ first.
That’s no accident.
Jesus is making all things new.
- This miracle sparks belief in the disciples (v. 11).
- Jesus performs the miracle in a town that never appears in the Old Testament.
- The water of one age—needed for purification—is now replaced with a joyous wine of a new age. Purification now comes through Christ.
- The water that once ran red in the Nile runs red in a new exodus.
With the arrival of Christ, the living water never found in a pot is found in a Person.
John doesn’t tell the story of lowly shepherds like Luke.
But we are still invited to the lives of those with less means. These peasants didn’t receive a bright night star or a scene of angels descending (Luke 2).
All things new for them meant sipping on a hundred gallons of the finest vintage ever created.
Indeed, Jesus makes all things new. Then. Now. Today.
What do I most need to read but least want to hear?
Jesus is making all things new.
But that newness often hinges on five words.
“Do whatever he tells you.”
This has been a sacred echo for me. Remember my invitation to wake up each day and pray, “Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do today?”
I’m still praying that prayer.
And in that prayer and response, I realize I’m asking God to make all things new.
After all…
Obedience calls us to seek life from the source, the One who is the Source of Life.
This is a recurring invitation throughout the Gospel of John. A holy invitation. A sacred echo.
For me. For you.
Now let me ask you:
What did you least want to read but most need to hear in today’s reading?
(If you have any questions post them below. We’ll be collecting and gathering responses for insight from New Testament scholar, Craig Blomberg in the upcoming weeks).
Day Four: John 2:1-12 Discussion Questions:
What does Jesus’ response to His mother reveal about His priorities and mission?
According to this passage, who was aware of the miracle? Who did it cause to believe? What surprises you about the response to the miracle most?
In what area of your life, do you most need to walk in obedience.
How has God been making all things new for you in the last week?
What do you find most challenging about today’s reading? What do you find most comforting about today’s reading?
*Sloyan, Gerard. John. “Interpretation.” (Atlanta: John Knox Press), 1988. pp. 30-42.
Recommended Resources:
- John: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
- The Gospel According to John by D.A. Carson
- Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey
- Beloved: 40 days in the Gospel of John eBook/PDF download
Need to catch up? See below for previous blog post during our Lenten season:
Day 1 | John 1:1-18 | Ash Wednesday: Your Invitation to Discover the Beloved
Day 2 | John 1:19-34 | This One Question Will Leave You Undone
Day 3 | John 1: 35-51 | What to Tell Your Children Before It’s Too Late
Day 4 | John 2:1-12 | The Shocking Miracle of Water Becoming Wine
Day 7 | John 3:22-36 | There’s a Hidden Slip N’ Slide in the Bible — I Found It!
Day 9 | John 5:1-17 | How to Overcome Jealousy
Day 12 | John 6:15-35 | What to Do When You Doubt God
Day 14 | John 7:1-39 | What’s the Difference Between Dead and Living Water
Day 16 | John 8:1-1 | You Stumped Me… Again
Day 17 | John 8:12-59 | 7 Surprises in the Gospel of John
Day 18 | John 9 | What does spiritual blindness really cost you?
Day 22 | John 12:1-11 | What’s Your Signature Spiritual Scent?
Day 23 | John 12:12-50 | Here is a Method That is Helping Me Relinquish Control
Day 25 | John 15:1-11 | What Does a Vinter See in John 15?
Day 29 | John 16:1-15 | Little Known Ways to Be of Good Cheer
Day 31 | John 17 | The Truth About Soul Talk
Day 33 | John 18:12-40 | Was it Judas or Satan Working through Judas?
Day 35 | John 19:16-30 | What’s a Woman’s Role?
Day 39 | John 21:1-14 | Why is the Weight of the Wait So Heavy on Good Friday?
Day 40 | John 21:15-25 | The Most Powerful Lesson I Learned During Lent
Good morning friend ?
Wondering why Jesus bothers to say “not now, it’s not my time” but then He proceeds to fix the problem his mother came to him with. OR am I missing something-maybe I need another cup of coffee?
Love that you asked this, Tara! I’m adding it to our list of questions for Dr. Blomberg because I can’t wait to hear his response!
Hi Tara. It suddenly struck me this morning, reading this for the umpteenth time in my life, that this is all about obedience. His mother knew it was time. It was time for him to obey her and thus step over the threshold and obey God. Maybe even Jesus in his human-ness had to obey on a human level (even with human doubts about ministry timing), just like we do, in order to see God fully take control! I don’t know…but this has always been something that has caught me up, until today.
Thanks for your thoughts Kellie!
Great thoughts, Kellie!
I have always seen this story as more about Mary than Jesus. I am Catholic, and in the Catholic religion there is more focus, shall we say, on Mary than in other denominations of Christianity. In this story we see the power of Mary. Noteworthy that when he said to her “It isn’t yet my time…” she doesn’t respond to him. She basically ignores his response and tells others “Do whatever he tells you to.” It is not insignificant that this phrase is the roadmap to heaven! Also, always keep in mind that Mary is a very powerful intercessor on our behalf, an avenue to Jesus.
Thank you for sharing! I, too, have found it interesting that she does not respond to Jesus.
Are we not on day 6? Did I miss some postings?
Thank you. I’m loving this study.
Hi Annie! Sundays are a day off. You can even use Sunday to reflect on the past week’s reading. That is up to you! I’d encourage you to look back at the reading plan at the front of Beloved. I’d be sure to spend some time there. You aren’t missing anything! You may even be ahead a little. Today (March 7) is day 6.
Thank you for taking this journey with us!
xoxo,
Margaret
I thought we should be on day 5 – beginning of week 2?
I am also confused with the timeline. When I embarked on this study, I thought we were going to be doing this experience daily. If there is a different plan, please let us know1
Sunday’s are a day off. There’s a reading schedule in the first few pages of the book.
So then we should have been day 5 today, according to the reading schedule in the book.
You are right Alex! Sunday’s are off. Today (March 7) is day 6.
Thanks for being on this journey with us!
xoxo,
Margaret
I can’t find day 5 or 6. Exactly where am I supposed to look for them on the web site? Help….
Ashley-
I’m sorry for the confusion. I’m checking off the days in the beginning of the book on page 7. That will help you. Sundays are an off day or a time of reflection on the past week. My prayer is that is a day of corporate worship for you as well! My team is happy to answer any other questions you may have on the reading plan.
xoxo,
Margaret
Hello, Margaret
I have been observing from a distance…..on the verge of ordering the ebook. I could use some input from someone using the download. I see that the pages are double sided. I’m concerned about the markings showing through. What is an acceptable paper to use. Does standard 20# paper work ok? I will be working with a nearby print shop that has something a little heavier…60# I believe.
How many actual paper pages will I be printing?
Karon Smith
Crazy the things you see when you slow down with the word, thank you for the challenge to do so Margaret!
Interestingly I breezed by Mary’s response “Do whatever he tells you to.” But, I did see so many other interesting things…
Does the bridegroom in this story allude to Christ as the Bridegroom at the second coming? I’m thinking it could as he similarly is saving the best (heaven) for last.
Regarding Jesus’ interaction with his mother’s request. Could it be that while she was asking for literal wine for the feast, Jesus was thinking ahead to the communion wine (His blood shed) on the cross? If that’s the case then his response “it is not yet my time…” would make sense. This also reminds me the wine is often used in scripture in reference to blood. This miracle shows our purification by Jesus’ work (turning water into wine) rather than by ceremonial washing with water (our works).
I also noticed that these water pots were specifically described as stone, which hearkens back to Isaiah 53:4 the smitten rock and forward to Christ as the smitten rock on the cross.
Lastly there is a mirroring of creation 6 days work and rest, with 6 water pots turned to wine and then Jesus retreats with his family and disciples.
Hi Gail, thank you for giving me another perspective on why Jesus said it was not His time. Interesting and mind blowing perspective
I enjoyed reading your thoughts Gail, thank you!
Very insightful! Thank you, Gail!
I love this story as it always reminds me that Jesus came on earth and took on the role of being human, just like me. Jesus knew His purpose on earth but He didn’t really know how it would all begin nor when it would begin. What if at that moment Jesus was experiencing moments of doubt and was tempted to be rebellious and not do the Father’s will because He had come to realise the magnitude of the task that was set before Him? This reminds me so much of myself because I too have had the privilege of God revealing my purpose to me but sometimes doubts as to when and how it will be fulfilled have left me in a tight spot at times. There have been times when I have struggled and had to say God I can’t do this because of the fear of what it would cost me.
Once your purpose has been revealed to you, you become aware that there is your way of doing things and there is God’s way. God’s ways should always prevail after all, it is His work not yours. This includes timing of what has to be done. timing is everything. You don’t want to just do anything lest it is not the right place or the right time because everything has its appointed time. God is intentional about His work. Jesus had already been tempted by the devil in the wilderness using His purpose and the one thing that helped Him resist the temptation was knowing that it would all happen at its appointed time. Jesus knew that a time was coming for Him to provide bread to multitudes where there was none so He didn’t show off by turning the stones into bread. It simply wasn’t the right time nor the place for that matter because who would have eaten the bread anyway? It would have gone to waste. Jesus is not into waste. Sometimes, we can take God’s work and make it our own and do things our way, where we please and when we feel like it instead of being led by God.
Jesus was privileged because He had a mother who had listened to the angel of God when she was told she would be with child and she had submitted to God’s will. It was her submission that enabled her to have greater sense of the right time. It brings the question: who do I surround myself with? Am I surrounded by people who will remind me when I have lost sense of the right time to fulfill God’s purposes? Am I surrounded by people who are surrendered to God in their lives? Being surrounded by surrendered people does help because often times God speaks to surrendered people who are willing and desiring to hear His voice. They are more willing to be guided by Him. I do not want helpful whispers that are not from Jesus Himself. That well meaning advice that people offer needs to come straight from Jesus, not another person’s idea or opinion of what I should be doing. Am I surrounded by people who will appreciate and encourage my purpose and if push comes to shove, push me into my purpose when there is resistance within me?
I don’t know why but I have always just assumed that the wine was red, but the scripture doesn’t say it was red. Was there only red wine available at that time? Anyway, I look at the containers in which the water was put in. Cleansing jars. In the cleansing jars was the water that was subsequently turned into wine. red wine representing the blood of the Lamb. At the beginning of His mission and purpose, the first miracle that Jesus performed gave an indication of what He came on earth to teach us: it is not by water that you are cleansed by it is by the blood. His blood. Blood of the Passover Lamb. Had the Pharisees known that the wine came from cleansing jars, they would have been appalled because they jars would have been deemed to be unclean so not suitable for drinking anything stored in them.
The bridegroom did not even know that wine had run out but was congratulated for saving the best wine for last. that’s what happens when one has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and becomes renewed and cleansed by the shedding of His blood. People around you are impacted by it and they become impressed with you, not realising that it is Jesus that they are impressed with. However, unlike the bridegroom, you know that it’s Jesus, you share it with as many people as you can that it’s not you but the Jesus in you and the working of the blood of the Holy Lamb. An opportunity to draw more people closer to Jesus so that they too can get what they have seen in you.
Great thoughts, Sam! Thank you for sharing!
Jesus said, “I can’t help you now,” It isn’t time yet for miracles.” the servants were aware of this miracle. The disciples believed of this miracle. The master of ceremonies tasted the water not knowing what it came from and I was a little confused about when the host uses the best wine first and then when everyone is full and doesn’t care he brings out the less expensive brands. To walk in obedience I have to make sure I grab the things needed for important things. He has drawn me closer to Him and praying. The most challenging thing for me was when the master of ceremonies tasted the wine and didn’t know it. The most comforting thing about today’s reading is when Jesus first demonstration of his heaven sent power. Amazing!
Good Morning …
Am catching up this morning. This was a unique passage for me. Reading the beginning reminded me of the movie “Jesus” starring Jeremy Sisto as Jesus and Jacqueline Bisset as his mother, Mary. Here both in written words and film, the Lord gave me understanding into Jesus being human and going through things that we do as humans. Mary knowing who Jesus truly is and His purposes on earth along with beleiving in Him and the promises given her from Heaven, encourages her Son and gently pushes Him past his own hestitations into His Kingdom purposes. In His love for her, he complies. As we in our own human frailities hestitate to step out in our Kingdom callings, the sweet Holy Spirit encourages us and pushes us out of our comfort zones to accomplish what the Lord has purposed for us to do for His Kingdom. In our own Love for Him, we comply. As we do, what was once hestitations have faded into nothing. And then we grow in Him in a most beautiful place of trust and freedom as the Lord moves His Kingdom forward in growth and depth.
More intriguingly though was the passage of the vessels, water and wine. The Lord revealed through the words only via His Spirit beautiful visions of who we are transforming unto Him. First, was the vessels being filled with water as the cleansing unto salvation and then water unto wine ~ the purity of the Blood of the Lamb bringing Life where there was none. Empty vessels ~ Void. The void was no longer void for Life birthed forth from darkness growing in the Light.
Yet earthen vessels of dust and clay filled with old wine aged with time becoming sweeter to the palate and wiser to the mind and soul. Even here the old wine drained from the vessels leaving them empty yet yearning for a purpose. Then comes the Master who by spoken tones brings a fresh washing, a new spring flow rising and a new batch of fresh Wine filling the vessel once again. Yet the New Wine releases an invigorating fragrance of sweetness with a deep pure wholesome taste that saturates the vessel leaving narry a pore unfilled. New Wine in quick time sends the taste buds dancing with the Beloved King in pure precise time.
Ah we humans who have been travelling the narrow way for so long, o how sweet the New Wine feels saturating the pores of our souls, revitalizing our spirits as we dance in glides across the face of time with our Beloved Master. Earthen vessels once broken, weak and void, now filled and pouring out Wine of Life once again bringing Joy unto the palate and Beauty therein. …
Here the Lord reminded me of the “Ragman” by Walter Wanegrin Jr. In which, the Ragman calls “Rags! Rags! New Rags for Old!” He then takes the old and broken from folks and gives them new and complete which changes their lives. Likewise, the Christ takes us ~ old broken empty clay pots and gives us New. Newness that changes us into complete vessels to hold living waters and Living Wine.
Joy in the Journey …
Paula
Joy in the Journey …
Beautiful reflection, Paula! Thank you for sharing!
Why thank you sweet lady. And thank you for a nice study … Joy in the Journey …
So many wonderful thought shared about this passage! Thank you, all, for sharing! As I read this passage and look how it can apply to my life, I as well was struck by Jesus saying it wasn’t his time for miracles. Regardless, when the servants were obedient, a miracle still occurred! This says to me that if I do what Jesus asks, even if it’s not a time for miracles, then miracles can happen!
Great encouragement, Cyndi! Hugs!
Im a few days behind, but i decided not to worry about it, just press on. I am making up the days little by little. This spoke to me so much because i am in very big need of Jesus to do a miracke in my own life and in my family’s life. This was so encouraging. But also made me realize that much is dependent on my obedience to Him.
Huge hug to you, Debbie! Thank you for joining us!
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