January 2019 Messenger Newsletter

"Jesus did this . . . in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory."
(Johm 2:11)

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Water Turned to Wine

John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
John 2:2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
John 2:3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."
John 2:4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come."
John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
John 2:6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
John 2:7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
John 2:8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it.
John 2:9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom
John 2:10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now."
John 2:11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

NSRV & Believer's Study Bible (BSB) Notes

[John 2:1] Cana is a village about 9 miles north of Nazareth and is the home of Nathanael (21:2).

[John 2:3] (vv. 3-5) Mary appears only twice in the fourth Gospel -- here and at the cross (19:25ff.). Jesus' response to Mary's request was not disrespectful or a refusal. Christ uses this same term to address other women (4:21; 20:13; Matt. 15:28; Luke 13:12). His question seeks to lead one to see the connection between the revelation of His glory and the sign-miracle He was about to do. Mary's response indicates that Jesus will do something about the discovered need.

[John 2:10] Diluted wine (three parts water to one part wine) was a common beverage with meals in the culture of that day. Our Lord's first miracle in John speaks of the new blessings which come as a result of His presence. Wine typically speaks of the joy of spiritual life. With the coming of Jesus, God's best has arrived at last, and in contrast to Moses, who turned water into blood in judgment (cf. Ex. 7:14-24), Jesus turns water into wine in joyful celebration of a new age.

[John 2:11] John speaks of Christ's "miracles" as signs (semeion, Gk.). The word stresses the spiritual significance of the miracle and points away from itself to Christ who performed it. John chooses seven major signs to relate in his Gospel, each characteristically pointing the way to Christ and, hence, to some aspect of the meaning of salvation (cf. vv. 1-11; 4:46-54; 5:1-16; 6:1-14; 6:15-21; 9:1-41; 11:1-46). John's entire Gospel is designed to convince its readers that Jesus is the Son of God through whom one may truly live, in this life and in eternity (20:30, 31).

Readings for the week of Janaury 27th
Third Sunday after Epiphany
First: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
Second: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Gospel: Luke 4: 14-21

Sunday Worship Services at 10:00am
Sunday School at 9:00am

Thursday Bible Study (Library) 10:30 am
Holy Communion Service (Sanctuary) Noon