Sunday Morning’s message: 22/7/24
Ps Pastor David Jones
Objective:
Encourage and help people in your group to better understand the power of the blood of Jesus and what was achieved on the cross. Also, what is available to us as New Covenant believers.
Leaders Note:
Take time to help people realise the heart of the Father shown through the work of the son.
Please choose and discuss what best suits your group. Have fun Jesus People!
Discussion Time
Read John 2:1-11
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine” "Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
This was Jesus’s first miracle and is only found in the book of John. John records the least number of miracles of any of the gospels, with only eight in his book. Out of the eight miracles recorded in John, six of them are only found in the book of John.
Jesus was invited along with His disciples as guests to this wedding banquet. This is where this sign was performed. Interestingly it was not a healing, or someone raised from the dead. This miracle seems to of been purely for the enjoyment of others and for His disciples
Background
Running out of wine would have been a major embarrassment for any bride, groom and family in ancient times This could have been a massive issue and people would have talked about it for a long time. The question must be asked why Jesus said to fill the ceremonial pots and not just have the servants re-fill the empty wineskins. This is significant; the master of the wedding, the families and the disciples would have been both shocked and surprised.
Interesting fact
Six big water pots holding 20 - 30 gallons each. This means there would have been anywhere between 120 gallons – 180 gallons of water that was turned into wine (450 – 680 Litres of wine) That’s a lot of wine and very likely far more than what was needed to finish the night off. It tells us by nature God can do and will do far more than we could ever expect. The miracle is not just about the quantity but the quality as the master of the banquet was surprised that they brought the best wine out last.
Question Where in your life have you seen God bring the best into your world or into a situation? What did He do?
Filling the Water Pots
According to the manner of purification of the Jews: The waterpots relate to the system of Law, because they were used in ceremonial purification. Consecration rituals, ceremonial cleansing and washing of their bodies. It was very important for the Jewish people in keeping pure before God.
The wine came after the water
The wine was from the water
The wine was better than the water
The New Covenant is after, from and better than the Old Covenant
There is significant symbolism here in the act of filling the water pots. Wine is symbolic of the Jesus Blood and Jesus’s blood was given for all mankind. The new wine represents the power of Jesus to purify the heart of a person and going forward the new wine has replaced the old system.
Question How does the blood of Jesus cleanse us and wash away our sin?
Answer 1 John 1:7-9 (Short answer)“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Each of the persons around Jesus shows us something significant regarding Jesus and His work.
(Leader: Pick one or two discussions points below that fits your group.)
Expectation - Mary
Shows us to expect Jesus to do big things
John 2:3-5“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Mary had an expectation that Jesus could do something. Even though Mary had not yet seen Jesus perform a miracle and Jesus had not yet started his earthly ministry. Mary chooses to have faith and expect something. Mary got way more than expected.
Read and Discuss Psalm 5:3
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Obedience - The servants
Show us to obey Jesus without question.
The servants got to enjoy being part of the miracle. This took real trust and faith on behalf of the servants.
John 2:6-9“Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside”
Read and discuss Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
In faith we obey the word of Jesus. The Bible is the word of the lord.
God is Present all the time - The bridegroom
Shows us that Jesus loves to save the day
The Father cares about your daily circumstances and is interested in his children’s lives.
Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
God has a Plan - The Master of the feast
Shows us that Jesus saves the best for last
For the unsaved it is - Salvation
For his followers it is - Eternity in his Glory
John 2:8-10“Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
Read and Discuss
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Strengthen your faith
The disciples show us that this Jesus is the real deal
They already believed and were following Jesus. What the saw deepened their faith, deepened their resolve to follow Jesus.
John 2:10-11
“and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now”
Questions and Discussion
Has anyone seen or been a part of a miracle, any sort of miracle that has strengthened your faith?
How did it course you to go deeper into your relationship with Jesus?
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