Life Changing Encounters w/Jesus — Gospel of John — John 7:4 (NLT) 4 “You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” Conversation #2 — A Mother ( Wedding Banquet ) 1. How can things be put right in our world? 2. How did Jesus come to do it? Jesus reveals his . John 2:11 (NLT) 11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. A Wedding Party John 2:1–3 (NLT) The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” Problem 1 — “There’s no more wine.” John 2:4-5 (NLT) 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Problem 2 — “This is not my time.” A Wedding Party John 2:6-10 (NLT) 6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. 9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” The glorious symbolism — jars & a relationship. Ceremonial jars Jesus brings festival joy to the world and cleanses humankind from their guilt & shame. Jesus is the true & better master of the banquet who brings out the best joy at the end. Marriage relationship God relates to us with profound love as a groom relates to his bride. God demonstrates this love by self-substitution. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION QUESTIONS: In this wedding party encounter, Jesus saves a family from a life altering & humiliating social catastrophe. Can you think of any modern day equivalents to this potential social disaster? Unlike anyone else, Jesus served their wedding party guests the best wine at the end. How might it help you face today's hardships by looking forward to the end; where Jesus brings out the best joy to enjoy for all eternity (marriage supper of the Lamb)? How does it hit you to consider that God sees himself as your groom (not just your King), who proves his forgiveness to you with his lasting self-substituting love and desires a lifelong relationship with you?