“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there; and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. Now there were six water-pots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse; thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
“After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and there they abode not many days.”
“And the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables; and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house shall eat me up. The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man: for he himself knew what was in man.”
QUESTIONS.
What happened in Cana of Galilee on the third day? Who was there?
Who were also invited?
When the wine failed, what did the mother of Jesus say to him?
What reply did he make?
What instructions did his mother give to the servants?
What vessels were conveniently near?
What command did Jesus give? What was done?
What further instructions were given? What did they do?
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the new drink, whom did he summon?
What did he mention as an unusual circumstance of the feast?
In performing this miracle what did Jesus manifest? With what result?
To what place did Jesus then go? Who went with him? How long did they remain?
What annual gathering was soon to be held? Did Jesus attend?
Whom did he find in the temple?
What did he do to them?
What did he command them to do?
What did this bring to the minds of the disciples?
What inquiry did the Jews then make of him?
What was his answer?
What apparently unanswerable objection did they make to his reply?
Of what was he speaking?
What event reminded his disciples of this prophecy? With what result?
What was the fruit of Jesus’ miracles at the Passover?
Did Jesus trust himself to them? Why not?
Did he need any witness about man? Why not?
NOTES.
1. It was but natural that the mother of Jesus should be at this gathering; for “the parties were relatives of Joseph and Mary. The special object of Jesus in attending this marriage feast was to commence the work of breaking down the exclusiveness which existed with the Jewish people, and to open the way for their freer mingling with the people. He had come not only as the Messiah of the Jews, but the Redeemer of the world. By attending this feast, Jesus sanctioned marriage as a divine institution, and through all his subsequent ministry, he paid the marriage covenant a marked respect in illustrating many important truths by it. While no shadow of worldly levity marred his conduct, he had sanctioned the social gathering with his presence. He gave no license to scenes of dissipation and revelry, yet innocent happiness was pleasing to him.”—Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, chapter 7.
2. The marriage relation was instituted before the fall (Gen. 2:18, 24), and, using it as an illustration of his union with his church (Eph. 5:23, 25, 29–32), Christ, through the word, has taught precious lessons. It is a striking fact that the Sabbath and marriage, the two institutions which were established during man’s innocency, are now the special objects of Satan’s attack. Men are now declaring that both are a yoke of bondage, interfering with their liberty. True liberty is only found in being in harmony with God (Ps. 119:45), and is not an excuse for sin (1 Peter 2:16).
3. There was no coldness or disrespect in Christ’s form of address to his mother. He used the same form of address in his last words to her. Chapter 19:26.
4. “This donation of Christ to the marriage supper was a symbol of the means of salvation. The water represented baptism into his death; the wine, the shedding of his blood for the purifying of the sins of the world. The provision made for the wedding guests was ample, and not less abundant is the provision for blotting out the iniquities of men. The wine which Christ provided was not of an intoxicating character.”—Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 104. “In the words, ‘Destroy this temple,’ Christ gives a sign that he reads the secrets of their souls. These words of Christ possessed a double meaning, referring to the temple at Jerusalem as well as to his own material body (the earthly temple of the Son of God). . . . When the Jews should put Christ to death, they would virtually destroy the temple. . . . As the death of Christ brought to an end the sacrificial system, and destroyed the sacredness of the earthly temple, so the resurrection of Christ involved the opening of the true ministration in the sanctuary above, the temple of God in heaven.”
Suggestions for Further Study.
Can you see in this miracle any teaching that ceremonials must have in them life and power from Christ to be of any value?
See how God’s power to create us, to cleanse us, and to raise us from the dead, are all taught in this lesson.
