MARRIED TO CHRIST

Text: St. John 2:1-8  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

The fourth Gospel of John is attributed to John, the beloved disciple who was one in the inner circle of Jesus.  Each book shows Jesus in a different light.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s focus was Christ in human relationships.  John’s focus was primarily on the Deity of Jesus Christ, in that He was the only Begotten Son of God.  His Book is known as the Book of signs.  John said signs show us truth and proof of who Jesus is.  Although Jesus performed many other signs through ministry, John writes of seven in this book to show proof and that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and gives evidence that He is the only Begotten Son of God.

Today, our focus is on the first sign performed by the hands of Jesus at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.  Jesus’ identity had been established in chapter one by several witnesses.  Apostle John said it in the opening of chapter one:

• St. John 1:1, 14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God:  

14  And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

St. John 1:45  Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, and after their encounter, said to Him, thou art the Son of God... thou art the King of Israel (verse 49).

John the Baptist saw Him as the Lamb of God (St. John 1:29, 36) and turned his disciples from following him to follow Jesus.  All these men saw Him as Christ, the Anointed one, and now it’s going to be proven through a miraculous sign of turning water into wine.

Galilee was divided into two parts, and these two parts represented two different socio-economic pictures.  On one side of town, down by the Sea, were people of little means of living.  They were said to be poor or ones who didn’t have much - those who had to hustle to make a living, struggling to make ends meet, always in need, always dependent, hopelessly handcuffed by helplessness and handouts.

Then, there was Cana, known as the well to do section.  If you lived there, you were thought to be well off.  You had everything together; you didn’t want for anything.  Cana represented a place of abundance, wealth, and more than enough.  The culture was Jewish, a Pagan worship.  .Jesus started His public ministry here in His hometown among friends and relatives at a wedding. The wedding was symbolic of Christ’s calling out of the physical Nation of Israel, the sacrifice of Christ, and the drawing out of a people who would make up the body of Christ.  It shows mankind’s redemption and Christ’s plan of salvation.  The running out of the wine points to the end of the old religious system and the beginning of the New Covenant.

Weddings are the happiest times in the life of a bride and groom.  It’s a big celebration, a joyous time, a life changing experience. It’s not a roller coaster ride where you can get on and off at will.  When you seek to marry someone, you want to know that their heart is fully devoted to you, and they are ready to settle down in a committed relationship.

There is no relationship on earth more intimate than the marriage relationship between a man and woman.  Such is the love that God has for His church (His Bride) and what He desires us to have for Him.  When God wanted to express the love He has for His people, He could not have chosen a more powerful image than to liken the church to be His Bride.

Jesus’ presence at the wedding was no accident or coincidence.  The fact that Jesus did His first sign at a wedding emphasizes the sanctity of that event.  Marriage matters, public covenant matters, the ceremony matters, and it always will.  Marriage was the first ordinance ordained by God after man and woman were created while they were still in their unfallen state right there in the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter two.

A wedding or marriage was more than buying a dress, selecting flowers, and exchanging gold rings.  It’s a condition designed by God, ordained by God, and authenticated in an open, public covenant.  Today’s society has made it into a form of entertainment or self-expression.  Look at the number of reality shows on TV where a man or woman is expected to choose a life-long partner from a pool of people chosen by some Hollywood producer.  To a lot of people, marriage has become something to do on a slow weekend or something to try out like a new hair style.

A wedding is a symbol for Covenant.  This was not an ordinary wedding because the couple is not named.  The relation is that Christ is the Bridegroom and the Bride is the Church.  

The word covenant is a “coming together”.  In the Old Testament, the word covenant means “a bond”, in relation to “two or more bound together”.  The New Testament referenced it as “cleaving, or sticking together like super glue”.  It’s a vow to God, to each other, our families, and our community to remain in that relationship.

It’s not a “contract”, which is an agreement between two or more parties, especially one that’s written and enforced by law.  You can negotiate out of a contract but not a covenant.  The heart of a covenant marriage is “the steadfast love of the Lord” which comes from the heart of God and never ceases (Lamentation 3:22 ESV).  It’s the bond of matrimony that joins not only two but three-fold - What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6).

Note Jesus and His disciples were invited.  It’s an honor to be invited to such an event.  It’s a way of expressing that you are important to the one inviting you, and it’s their desire that you be a part of the happiest day of their life.  Nothing is more important than having Jesus be present at your wedding.

Jesus chose to participate in this common routine event to let us know that He isn’t just for Sundays only.  He desires, and He deserves to be included in all of life.  He’s either Lord of all or He isn’t lord at all in your life

• Acts 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all)!!!

 By virtue of His sacrifice for us at Calvary, He deserves inclusion in all we are and in all we do.

• Acts 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

• Hebrews 9:22  Without shedding of blood is no remission.

If we are truly His, then He has access rights to everything!

There might be someone reading this today who needs to open areas of your life up to God.  Stop holding back and give God access to everything. Too many times, we leave Him outside looking in, when He’s standing ready with the solution to the problem.

• Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

But instead of butting in, He waits patiently for your invitation.  Make it happen today!

The celebration at Cana was in full swing, and everyone was having a wonderful time.  In the midst of the party, the wine ran out.  This might not sound like a problem to you, but to the Jews, it was devastating.  

First it was a matter of honor because the bridegroom was responsible to provide adequate amount of food and drink.

Second, it was an embarrassment for the family of the bride who could provoke a lawsuit.

Third, it could cause one to wonder if the groom would be in a position to make a living or even be able to provide for his bride.

Life can be hard at times.  You do all you can to make ends meet and just when you think you have put things in order, here comes trouble.  How many know that trouble doesn’t discriminate.

Remember Job, a righteous man, wealthy and comfortable?  He had a large family and extensive flocks.  He was always careful to avoid doing evil (Job 1:1).  We see that trouble hovered over this righteous man, and he lost everything - children, property and wealth, his good name and even his health.  Guess what?  Through it all, God restored all that Job had and more!  Why?  He was married to Christ.

Look at Christ and the disciples in the storm tossed boat (Mark 4:36-41 and St John 6:16-18). Both times they felt Jesus was out of touch with their need with their lives hanging in the balance.  Both times they were wrong.  Jesus knew their trouble and felt their need and both times He rescued them by calming the storm.  Why?  They were married to Christ.  They didn’t have a contract, but they were bonded together in a covenant relationship.  God is faithful, and He will do the same thing for you and me.

Back to the wedding - In their time of trouble, the mother of Jesus shows us just what to do in a two-step process when faced with trouble in your life.  Her presence at this marriage celebration was not only to be the hostess, but a symbol of the Nation of Israel (the Church). Her first step was to take it to Jesus.

She notified Jesus.  They have no wine  (St. John 2:3).  Wine scripturally means joy, celebration.              A wedding without wine is the state of the church without Christ.  Mary was signaling the end of the old wine - the end of the old way of doing things - out with the old and in with the new.  Mary knew that in time of trouble, Psalms 55:22 said to Cast thy burden upon the Lord, And He shall sustain thee.

Jesus wants us to cast our cares on him, but often we continue to bear them ourselves even when we say we are trusting in Him.  

• 1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Trust the same strength that sustains you to carry your cares also.  

• Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. (NASB)
• St. John 2:4  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Jesus’ use of the word “WOMAN” doesn’t convey a lack of respect or affection.  It was used in addressing people of rank, and it indicated that their relationship at this point was no longer on the natural level as mother/son.  He used that same term in relation to her in St. John 19:26 when He was on the Cross.  It was not an open rebuke, but spiritually, He was calling her attention to the fact that He was more than “MAN”, and He was speaking to her as GOD, and she was no longer in the position to act as authority in His life.  He was showing HIS DEITY.

He gave her a preview of this moment when He was twelve years old.  Remember, when He was in the temple talking to the officials, and He said, I must be about my Father’s business  (Luke 2:49).  Well, this was the day His Father’s business started, and His Mother’s business ended.

Jesus had been baptized by John, and He was gathering followers.  This was all new to Him.  He had left home, gone through temptation, and John the Baptist had identified Him as the Lamb of God  (St. John 1:29, 36).

Surely, the news had been circulating among those at the wedding.  From that time on He was about His Father’s business.  He was distancing Himself from that mother/son relationship that had existed the past thirty years.   

• Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus explains who His “true family” is in verse 48  Who is my mother?  And who are my brethren?  
• Matthew 12:49-50  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Secondly, she demanded OBEDIENCE.  Verse 5, she says, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it” (St. John 2:5).  Why is obedience to Jesus important?  Obedience proves our love for Him!

• 1 John 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
• 1 John 5:2-3  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.

It demonstrates our faithfulness to Him!

Here Mary was submitting to Jesus’ way of doing things.  She recognized that Jesus was more than her human son; that He was the Son of God.  When we bring our problems to Christ, we may think we know how He should take care of them, but He may have a completely different plan.  Like Mary, we should submit and allow Him to deal with the problem as He sees it best.  

• Isaiah 55:8-9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Here’s the dilemma - a wedding without wine.  This is the state of the church without Christ. Wedding is symbolic of “covenant”.  

• Hebrews 9:16-18  For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. (NASB)  

Wine, scripturally, is used of God to signify blood.

• 1 John 5:8  There are three that bear witness in earth (within you and me), the SPIRIT, and the water, and the BLOOD:  and THESE THREE AGREE IN ONE!

At the wedding at Cana, Jesus noticed that there set six water pots of stone.  Stone was important to the Jews because it symbolized purity, and stone doesn’t transfer impurities.  That’s why they washed often before eating, holding to traditions of purification, and cleansing,  (Mark 7:4).

Note, Jesus used the same stone water pots the Jews used for washings to change water to wine which was about one hundred eighty (180) gallons total.

He wanted to make a statement to the Jews.  He was illustrating that true purification is through the drinking of wine, which was symbolic of His blood.  

• St. John 6:53  Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

It was and is not through the works of men for purification, but through His (Jesus’) creative work of wine (the shedding of His blood) for their or our true purification.

Note, the pots holding the water are carefully identified as “Stone”.  Why?  CHRIST is the STONE from which purification must come.

• Matthew 21:42  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner:  this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

When carpenters build a house, the first stone set in construction is the cornerstone on which the building depends.  

• Ephesians 2:20-21  Jesus Christ Himself is the Chief Corner Stone, in whom all the building (is) fitly framed together

There is not another stone that Israel can be purified with.  This is the same principle when He had the saving water to come out of a “Rock” for the children of Israel to drink after coming out of Egypt, and they became thirsty in the wilderness.  This water came from a stone.  The Jews (Israelites) were forty years in the wilderness, and at this particular point had no water, and God in His mercy had a Rock smitten that they might have water.  That Smitten Rock was Christ.

• Isaiah 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:  yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.   

We also are saved by that smitten Rock

• 1 Corinthians 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink:  for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them:  and that Rock was Christ.     

That’s why these water pots are meticulously pointed out as being of STONE…”True purification is from the Stone”.

• 1 Peter 2:4, 7  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:  but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.

Now can you understand the six signifying work and the water pots of stone the signifying purifying water for the Jews?  The message is the water in the pots is the contents of the law written in stone, as the tablets of Moses, signifying the stiff-necked people - the Jews.  Law demands works - of our own.  It leaves nothing but despair.

When Christ turned the water into wine, He simply commanded His servants (ministers of the gospel) to pour more water.

• St. John 2:7  Fill the waterpots with water.  And they filled them up to the brim.

This meant that Judaism was but a dead husk, the heart and life of it was gone.  John the Baptist ended the old system, Law and Prophets

• Luke 16:16  The law and the prophets were until John:  since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  
• Matthew 5:17  Jesus said Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil”!!!  

The higher righteousness, the New Era, the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Good News, the preaching of Glad Tidings, had begun by the turning of the water into wine. This was the start of the GRACE ERA!!

When Jesus performed this sign, He didn’t wave His hands over the water pots; nor did He stir in the water.  He simply willed it through the power of His mind.  He wasn’t concerned about maintaining religious customs.  He wasn’t seeking to entertain the guests nor to obey His mother.  His only concern was bringing the people into the Presence of the Eternal God.

• St. John 2:8  Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.  

This giving of the wine to the governor of the feast was representing the old priesthood among the Jews who knew nothing but works.  Meaning, those who teach works cannot understand and apprehend the gospel and actions of faith.  Salvation is not by works.  Remember, what Jesus said to Nicodemus:

•  St John 3:3  Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  
• St John 3:5  Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
• St. John 2:9-10  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants [the ministers of God] which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10  And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse:  but thou hast kept the good wine until now.  

Get this: Jesus transformed one hundred and eighty gallons of Jewish laws, rituals of purification or one hundred and eighty gallons of guilt into one hundred and eighty gallons of Grace!  He took one hundred and eighty gallons of “don’t do this” and “don’t do that”, one hundred and eighty gallons of laws that numbered more than six hundred regulations, and transformed the old religion into new religion.  The miracle was a SIGN.  The gospel of John is known as the Book of Signs.

If you drive out of the parking lot of most churches, you will see all kinds of signs at the nearest intersection.  You will see one particular sign painted with red and white paint.  The sign simply says STOP.  It is a stop sign, but you don’t see the fact that it’s metal with red and white paint on it.  You don’t examine the ingredients of the metal or the paint, do you?  You simply read the message, STOP.

The signs in John’s gospel have a message, and you focus on the message more than the sign itself.  The message of the water with which the servants filled the stone jars to the brim is the first stage of the new manifestation that’s about to occur.

Water is the basic necessity of life; it’s tasteless, totally fluid and a symbol for potentials (qualities, abilities that may be developed, the person you’re likely to become or a review of things to come). The water is there but not yet the finished product it’s destined to be. All you need for a complete transformed, higher quality of life is already there, but in most of us, it’s in the water stage.  Water is like a relationship with God under the law.  The new you is there, but you’re still in the natural stage, the water stage.  Water is the natural life; you need to identify with the wine stage. The wine stage is your relationship with God under the New Covenant. Spiritually, it’s your blood connection with Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 6:19  What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you and ye are not your own?  

20  For ye are bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Note, Jesus used all the water of purification, meaning He ended the era of purification by converting water into wine.  That’s why He didn’t create the wine from nothing.  He converted one substance with its own properties into another substance with different properties.  Hal-le-lu-jah!!!  It’s called Conversion; it’s a process!

That’s the kind of God we serve.  Isn’t it awesome to know that we can be and are married to Him?

~  Evangelist Brenda Hansley