SFC - Series 6, Lesson 86

Memory Texts:
Children - Romans 15:13 "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing."
Young people: - Psalm 4:7.

OBJECTIVES: To:
1. Emphasize that we can come to the Lord Jesus with our problems.
2. Mention that He not only has power to solve our problems but is also interested in everything that happens to us.
3. Teach that even though Jesus showed respect for his mother, Mary, she had neither power nor influence over the activities and service of the Lord.
4. Indicate that this miracle is the first one that the Lord Jesus performed and it is a sign of His inherent power over the events that occur in our daily lives.

SCENE No. 1. VISUAL AIDS: House in Cana of Galilee showing figures of many people eating and Mary speaking with Jesus. The words printed, "They have no wine," and to one side, six waterpots.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Cana was a city near Nazareth and probably Jesus was acquainted with many of the guests.
- During the wedding reception, Mary tells Jesus they have no wine, evidence that she has complete confidence that He is able to solve the problem.
- Since the wedding reception will go on for a few days, much food and drink will be needed, and the lack of wine could cause the celebration to be an embarrassment for the hosts.
- The lack of wine was only a temporary problem and not an adversity that might affect their lives forever.
Cmt. There are things that happen in the lives of children that are not especially serious, but for them it is urgent they find a solution. This lesson emphasizes that the Lord Jesus can take momentary problems and use them for His own glory.
- In His reply to Mary, Jesus calls her "woman", which is a respectful way of addressing her as found in John 19:26.
Cmt. The treatment given by the Lord Jesus to his "mother" in this story is important because it teaches us that once Jesus began his public ministry, Mary was not a controlling influence in His life.
- Mary did not invite the servants to obey her, but instructed them to do what the Lord Jesus said, advice that should still be taken today, "Whatever he saith to you, do it."
Cns. The presence of Jesus at a wedding should be used by the teacher to speak of the bonds of matrimony as something established by God, by which two people are united together before Him forever.
Cmt. The Lord did this miracle so that the guests could continue to enjoy the wedding, and at the same time, attention was drawn to His power, which was unknown to the people of that area.

SCENE NO. 2. VISUAL AIDS: A room in the same house with figures of Mary and Jesus and these words "Fill the waterpots with water". Add the figure of a servant filling the waterpots with water.
DEVELOPMENT:
- The waterpots could hold between 80-120 liters of water, or 20-30 gals.
- They were used in ceremonial washings and the Jews washed themselves often, so sufficient water always needed to be on hand.
- Jesus asked the servants to fill the waterpots. They filled them to the brim, which was no small task.
Cmt. The former wine containers were not used to receive the water, as this might have led some to doubt the miraculous element of the sign.
Cns. Jesus did not call the guests to witness this miracle, only the servants were present. The evidence was enough to awaken interest in the miracle later on.
Apl. The true servant of God is always ready to obey what the Lord commands.
- The servants did not understand what the Lord was going to do. They were to simply obey Him.
Sug. You can teach the characteristics of a true servant. The Lord does not always reveal how things are going to end while He prepares the different things that will bring glory to Him through the work of the servants.

SCENE NO. 3. VISUAL AIDS: The place where the feast is being held with figures of Jesus and some of the servants and these words "Draw out now, and bear etc." A servant looks with surprise at the water that has turned into wine. Separately on the side of the board, the figure of the ruler tasting the wine and saying to the governor "You have kept the good wine until now." (Print words)
DEVELOPMENT:
- The servants see WHAT is happening, but do not understand HOW.
- Likely the servants were surprised to see wine in the waterpots, and will report to others what they had seen.
- The wine is different than the old, and the ruler of the feast attributes the change to good management by the governor.
Cmt. We are not told of the ensuing conversation, but verse 11 shows that the source of the new wine was revealed and brought glory to the Lord Jesus.
Cns. The word GLORY refers to something that attracts one's attention because it is distinct and unlike anything seen before. When properly evaluated, it produces admiration and praise in those who observe it.
- Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, is able to take anything of this earth and change it into something for His glory and our benefit.
Sug. The teachers should have a personal experience in mind, such as protection from some danger, an answer to prayer; or some necessity being met just at the right time, etc., in order to illustrate how the Lord intervenes in our personal lives and we should be thankful and give Him glory.
- Jesus changed the water, an element that is used to cleanse one externally, into wine, a symbol of joy experienced internally. God alone can give to true joy to man.
Cns. The words of the governor of the feast are an appropriate commentary of the work of God, who always has something better reserved for us in the future.
Cmt. This miracle is the first sign that manifests the glory of the Lord. It was done so that the disciples would believe on Him.
- Everyone partook and enjoyed the good wine, but the disciples were the ones that received the greater blessing because "His disciples believed on Him."
- The miracles in John's gospel are called "signs", as they show the divine power of the Lord Jesus.
Cmt. The disciples had been called to follow the Lord Jesus before this event, so the miracle would confirm their call to discipleship and encourage them to trust Him in the future.
- John, the author of this gospel wrote years later, "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:10-11, 14).
- See also the words of Jesus at the end of His life on this earth. (John 17:4-5).
Apl. The person that experiences the miracle of the new birth has proof of the power of the Lord Jesus in his or her life. Other evidences are answers to prayer and other blessings experienced.