John 2 Addendum Bridegroom: In ’ time, the Bridegroom was responsible for Prepared by Susanne Methvin the arrangements for the wedding and the reception, providing all the and food. If the wine ran out this would have been a SIGN (Greek “semeion”): After recounting the story of Jesus great embarrassment to the groom and could have led to legal turning water into wine, John says in verse 11, “This, the first of consequences. As a friend of the family and perhaps helping in his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at in ” and overseeing that the guests are served, Mary calls attention to the thus revealed his glory. The Greek word “semeion” is the word fact that there is not enough wine and thus enlists Jesus’ help. used here, which means a sign, portent, or miracle by which Perhaps this story also points to Jesus as our Bridegroom, as he authenticates the man sent by him. The words sign, miracle and indicates in Luke 5:34: “Can you make the guests of the miraculous signs seem to be used interchangeably in the various bridegroom fast while he is with them?” also translations of this verse. Jesus says very little in Chapter 2, but refers to Jesus as the bridegroom in :29, “It is the his actions speak loudly both at the wedding and in the Temple bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply courtyard in . As the disciples witnessed this sign, “they glad to stand with him and hear his vows.” Finally in Rev 19:7, believed in him”. We also come to believe in and know Jesus “the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his through the seven signs that John spotlights in this . bride has prepared herself.”

WINE: Wine signified joy and gladness in the Wedding: Weddings were sacred, social and public celebrations and was used in celebrations and ceremonially. There is great of joy among a whole Jewish community. Contrasting with John significance in this story of Jesus turning water into wine in the the Baptist who was a voice calling in the wilderness, Jesus lived quantity and quality of the wine that Jesus makes, as well as in the his life amongst the people, rejoicing, healing, teaching, breaking use of these particular urns. We are told there are 6 urns, each bread together, feeding crowds, and dispelling evil spirits. Unlike holding twenty to thirty gallons, which means Jesus turned 120- John the Baptist who did not drink, Jesus rejoices with us, “The 180 gallons of water into wine, and not just any wine, but the best Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, “Look at quality, as declared by the master of ceremonies! Jesus will give us him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and abundant and fruitful lives as we follow and are transformed sinners!” Luke 7:33-34. The is the only gospel to through Him. That these urns were used for cleansing when the include the miracle of turning water into wine. This is a guests entered the home, and now hold new wine, points to the particularly beloved story, for Jesus is very relatable as the Son of New Covenant. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified and it is Man, celebrating with friends and family and demonstrating grace His blood that cleanses us. Wine takes on even more significance in helping the bridegroom. He cares about the details of our life, as we partake of the Lord’s Supper: “And he took a cup of wine not just the big life-saving times when we need his help. He is and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each also the Son of God, performing his first miracle and thus of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the demonstrating his power and authority over the natural world. covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” Matthew 26:27-28 TEMPLE (Greek “ hieron & “nahos”: The Temple in life, holiness, the new Temple, , resurrection, known Jerusalem was the center of worship, music, politics, society, by Jesus. national celebrations and even mourning for the Jewish nation. Yahweh lived there; it was the beating heart of the nation and life. Recommended Resources: John uses two Greek words for temple in this passage. In verse John for Everyone, Part 1 by N.T. Wright A very readable and 14, he uses the Greek word hieron for temple when Jesus drives insightful companion to our devotional this fall. the animal dealers and money changers from the courtyard. Hieron includes not only the Holy Sanctuary, but also the The Grave Robber, by Mark Batterson An inspiring book and aggregate of buildings and courtyards where the animals were video (available through Right Now Media) about Jesus’ seven sold and money changers had booths to exchange money for the miracles. tokens needed to buy the animals for . In verse 19, Jesus https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/1196?episode= says “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 1 Here Jesus uses the word nahos for temple, which is used only for the Holy Sanctuary where Yahweh lives. He thus gives a new covenant meaning to nahos, referring to His body as the Temple and predicting his crucifixion and resurrection. With this statement, Jesus overturns the Jewish world as they knew it! There will no longer be the need for sacrifices of animals. Jesus is the Passover Lamb, the , the Temple, the High Priest, and the Bridegroom.

BELIEVE (Greek “pisteuo”): “…many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all about men….he knew what was in a man.” John 2:23-24 John uses the Greek word “pisteuo” for believe and entrust in this passage, which has the double meaning of “think to be true” and to credit or “have confidence in”. Jesus did not have confidence in the people’s belief in him, for he knew what was in their hearts.

In summary, John introduces major themes of the gospel and foreshadows what is to come through these two vignettes: signs, transformation, joy, compassion, grace, purification, abundant