1. Mealtimes with the Messiah #1 The Very Best Wine (John 2:1-11)

2. Mealtimes with the Messiah #1 The Very Best Wine (John 2:1-11) Why does Jesus do this miracle? My hour has not yet come (v4) Still “not yet” in John 7:30, 8:20 Just before crucifixion: John 12:23 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified John 12:27 Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. John 13:1 Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 17:1 Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. This miracle is a peek into the future – what his death will acheive

3. Mealtimes with the Messiah #1 The Very Best Wine (John 2:1-11) Mark 1:3-4 The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the market-place they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.

4. Mealtimes with the Messiah #1 The Very Best Wine (John 2:1-11) Isaiah 25:6-9 On this mountain the L ORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death for ever. The Sovereign L ORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The L ORD has spoken. In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the L ORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’ Messiah will: Bring salvation Swallow up death Sufficient for everyone Save in response to trust

5. Mealtimes with the Messiah #1 The Very Best Wine (John 2:1-11) Why does Jesus do this miracle? Fulfilment of Isaiah 25:6-9 – banquet open to all To show that ritual washing was obsolete – the real heart-cleansing was coming. What does this mean for us now? Sin defiles people... and we have no way of cleansing ourselves from it Jesus’ death brings utter cleansing Abundant life for all who will come!