By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read John 2:1-12

The Rev. Ron Purkey

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)

How is a sinner is redeemed? If you read the Gospel of John, you will see that seven signs (miracles) show how a sinner is redeemed and what the results are in his or her life. This first miracle teaches us that salvation is through the word of God. Notice the symbols here.

First, a thirsty crowd. Isn’t this a picture of the lost world today? They are tasting the world’s pleasures but finding no personal satisfaction, and what fulfillment they have eventually runs out. The Bible invites thirsty sinners to come to Christ for salvation and satisfaction (John 4:13-14; 7:37; Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17).

Second, empty water pots. Representing the human heart, which is hard and empty. The word of God compares the human being to a vessel (2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:20-21). The sinner’s life may look lovely on the outside, but God sees it is empty and useless unless he is able to work a divine miracle.

Third, filled with water. Water for washing is, in the Bible, an image of the word of God. (See Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3.) All that the servants had to do was fill the empty water pots with water, which is like the servant of God filling the heart of the unbeliever with the word. It is not our job to redeemed people, but it is our job to give people the word of God and let Christ perform the miracle of salvation.

Fourth, water to wine. When the sinner’s heart has been filled with the word, then Christ can perform the miracle and bring joy. In Acts 8:26-40, Philip filled the Ethiopian with the word, and when the man believed, the miracle of salvation took place. The Ethiopian went his way rejoicing. Notice John 1:17—“The law came through Moses”; in the Old Testament water was changed to blood (Exodus 7:19), which indicates judgment. But Jesus Christ turned water into wine, which speaks of grace and joy. Wine symbolizes the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

Fifth, the third day. This foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus Crist, since Christ arose from the dead on the third day. It was the third day from “the day following” (John 1:43), which was the fourth of the days John wrote about in chapter 1 (Day No. 1—John 1:19-28; day No. 2— John 1:29-34; day No. 3—John 1:35-42; day No. 4— John 1:43-51). Perhaps John had Genesis 1 in mind when he wrote of this first week of “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Sixth, the beginning of miracles. Redemption is the beginning of miracles, for after a person trust’s Christ as their personal Savior, God performs one miracle after another for him or her; and the miracles we experience bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you been redeemed?

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.