THE SON OF MAN BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY AT A WEDDING IN CANA OF GALILEE, AND JOHN RECORDED IT.

1. Though Jesus never married- this gives God's stamp of approval on marriage- & its importance
2. The picture of the water of legal purification changing to the new wine of the new dispensation
3. The custom of Marriage teaches us much- it is sacred, it is vital to the life of a nation- but this one at Cana of Galilee has been spoken of throughout history

I.- AN INVITATION TO A WEDDING  John 2:1-2

Jesus was called- they must have thought enough to invite Him Have you?

A.- One of the most sacred events in Israel was that of marriage - it was A COMMUNITY AFFAIR

1. It had a higher meaning to Israel- fasting, confession of sin- symbolized relationship- Israel-God
2. Old Rabbi wrote of God solemnizing 1st marriage- Michael & Gabriel -groomsmen, angels singing
3. Wedding and Funeral processions sacred- Jezebel's hands- saved because she clapped at all weddings

B.- THE MARRIAGE IN ISRAEL WAS QUITE AN AFFAIR- COULD TAKE UP TO TWELVE MONTHS TO PERFORM

1. The moment of betrothal- couple married- but not consummated until all things fulfilled- ready
2. The actual marriage- a series of feasts- preparation of bride & groom- took time & many people
3. The procession- bringing bride and groom to the Wedding feast- the entire city joined in joy

C.- THE ACTUAL WEDDING FEAST, WITH VOWS, WAS SOMEWHAT LIKE OURS TODAY, COULD BE ORNATE OR SIMPLE

1. The formal documents were signed, vows taken- according to laws of Moses as couple comes together
2. The Marriage supper- like our receptions-bride & groom drank first cup then great feast
3. Later the friends of the Bridegroom would take them to wedding chamber - & protect them --

In Galilee- the custom was not as elaborate as in Jerusalem- nor as prone to coarseness & sin

II.- BUT THIS WAS A SPECIAL WEDDING

Jesus was there, so were his disciples, and his Mother- Mary was something special

A.- IN CANA OF GALILEE, AN UNKNOWN VILLAGE NEAR THE SEA OF GALILEE, FOREVER MADE FAMOUS, THEN LOST

1. A slope of a hill- above Nazareth- west of Galilee- a mountain village in a beautiful land
2. The gardens and orchards - Like around Lake Pleasant- but the greatest Pomegranates in the land
3. The home of Nathaniel- Bartholomew- and Jesus and his disciples were there - 10 miles north of Nazareth

B.- THE MOTHER OF JESUS WAS THERE; SO MUCH IS LEFT OUT OF THEIR FAMILY LIFE - THIS IS PRECIOUS -v.1b

1. This must have been the house of a close friend- or relative - but very poor - Joseph dead -
2. The courtyard was Kosher- water pots for storage, so purification, -washing; center room- feast
3. The mother of Jesus assumed responsibility- the Widow must have been highly thought of here

C.- SHE TOLD THE SERVANTS "WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT!  V. 5

1. Mary spoke to Jesus - was there no friend of the Bridegroom to do this? Another picture of poverty?
2. The retort of Jesus has been strongly commented upon- but don't miss the real blessing-v.4?
3. Her reaction- v.5 was to give instructions to the servants- bears repetition to us all today

Maybe the extra disciples posed too much; maybe the extra gifts expected failed to come???

III.- THE MIRACLE AT CANA OF GALILEE !

Whatever the debate over the strange words of Jesus, and of the master of the feast- note Miracle

A.- THE LESSON OF OBEDIENCE, WHETHER EXPECTING A MIRACLE OR NOT, GOD EXPECTS OBEDIENCE OF US v.7-8

1. "Fill the water pots (they should have been full) a rush to obey- to the well and back- and then?
2. Draw out and bear to the feast!  Just water?  They obeyed!  Understand or not we must obey
3. Church fathers wrote that the conscious water saw the Master- and blushed red at the need

B.- THE LESSON OF JOY, WHETHER UNDERSTOOD OR NOT, v.9 THE MIRACLE BROUGHT JOY TO ALL PEOPLE

1. The ruler of the feast made a rough attempt at a crude joke- Don't worry about it either!
2. The important thing is that even this proves the miracle - no collusion, no plotting miracle
3. The bride and groom remained unrecorded- but their joy was made complete by our Lord.

C.- LIKE A DIAMOND OF MANY COLORS, THIS MIRACLE MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE - You?

1. Some see in this an excuse for drunkenness and forget that New Wine (grape juice) is not 100%
2. Some see nothing in it- like the bride & bridegroom- tragedy averted, joy added-but oblivious
3. Some saw a miracle- and these men were not fools! They glorified God -beginning of Ministry

The world turns today- and the greatest touch of the Lord is often missed.  What of you?

LET JESUS SHARE IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF YOUR LIFE, AND TURN YOUR NATURAL JOYS INTO ETERNAL BLISS

1. If your eyes and ears are open- Jesus will be revealed to you as your only Savior Take Him
2. If you are close enough to hear His voice- Do whatsoever He saith unto you!- Baptism, Church Membership
3. Let the Lord come into your life- and give it real Joy- not wine- but Joy!  New Wine.