John 2:1-11 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:… I. THE PLACE WHICH THIS MIRACLE HOLDS AMONG THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST. The first. 1. As indicative of the general character of those which followed. The product of Christ's omnipotence and good will. 2. As the beginning of those wonders which had as their object to manifest forth Christ's glory. II. THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE MIRACLE WAS WROUGHT. 1. The failure of the wine perhaps through the unexpected advent of Jesus and His disciples. 2. Mary's appeal based upon her anxiety for the credit of the entertainers and comfort of the guests. 3. Mary's faith in Jesus not merely as her Son, but as the Son of God. 4. Mary's modesty and humility: she demands nothing, and prescribes nothing. 5. The displeasure of Jesus tenderly teaching Mary — (1) That her relationship was no ground on which she might make application, and that her former claims on this ground had passed away. (2) That in all matters connected with His great work she was no more to Him than other believers. (3) That as He was David's Lord so was He hers. (4) That what He was about to do was not to be done for the reason for which she desired it. 6. Christ's announcement of His hour: His, not Mary's; the time of the total failure of the wine. III. THE MIRACLE ITSELF. 1. Expected by Mary. 2. The preparation and co-operation of the servants. 3. The arrival of the hour. 4. The drawing forth of the water made wine. 5. The surprise of the governor. IV. THE THINGS IN WHICH WE ARE INSTRUCTED BY THE MIRACLE. 1. The anticipation of ecclesiastical corruptions. (1) The Roman depreciation of marriage.. (2) The Romish distinction of meats; that a man is holier for what he eats or from what he abstains. (3) Mariolatry. 2. The duty of temperance and self-denial amidst the profusion of temporal mercy. The great abundance tested self-restraint. The same principle applies to all enjoyments — dress, furniture, reading. 3. The superior excellency of the Gospel's dispensation. (1) As contrasted with Moses' first miracle turning water into blood. (2) The kingdom of god is not meat and drink. 4. The sanctifying influence of Christ's presence. (A. Beith, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:WEB: The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. |
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