Sermon: Newness from Incompleteness
Bible Passage: John 2:1-11
I. About the passage:
1. About 50 years after Jesus turned water into wine, Apostle John recollected the event to an audience who were most likely living in Ephesus
2. The purpose of such recollection was not merely to give historical information, but in his audience, it would produce faith just as it produced faith in Jesus’ disciples—”his disciples believed in him” (cf. verse 11c)
3. When the disciples witnessed this miracle, they understood it’s meaning
a. Check the expression “His disciples believed in Him” (verse 11)
b. Not all who attended the wedding knew what was happening behind the scene, but the disciples had an inside look into Jesus’ work
c. That it is not just a miracle, but it points to who Jesus is
d. The writer calls this miracle “a sign” which means “a pointer” (cf. verse 11)—“Pointer” towards the person of Jesus
e. In other words, Jesus is the One sent by the Father to bring salvation to the world
f. Therefore, the primary thrust of this passage is Christological
g. IMPORTANT: Johannine irony in this passage!
II. Five levels of negative situation that requires Jesus’ newness/intervention
1. Deficiency of joy (“they have no wine” cf. verse 3)
2. Embarrassment (when wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine!” verses 3-5)
3. Emptiness or incompleteness—number six (verse 7 “Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim”)
4. Inferior quality of life (verses 9-10)
5. Anxiety and probably the hospitality team “servants” (verse 3)
III. Five levels of reversal of negative situation when Jesus stepped in (verse 7-8)
1. Plenty of joy (the size of the jars cf. verse 6)
2. Pleasant surprises (verses 9-10)
3. Superior quality of life (verse 9)
4. Filled to the brim (vs. empty jars)
5. Absence of ANXIETY
IV. Principles
1. Jesus is the Messiah who ushers the messianic age—from empty jar to abundance of wine (cf. Amos 9:11-151)
2. Unpleasant negative situations of life can function as foils to see God glory
3. Jesus reveals His glory when we invite Him into our life and community
4. Jesus brings newness to our lives and life situations from their incompleteness
5. Jesus’ every intervention in our lives leads to our belief in Him
6. Jesus gives superior life compared to what religions and the world give
Take Away:
Invite Jesus into your predicament and obey Him without a question