A sign reveals something about the object it is referring to. Let me say that again. A sign reveals something about the object it is referring to.

I want to share with you some signs, this morning. During my years of being a painter, there were times in which I would have to post a sign that simply said, "Wet Paint." That sign revealed something about the object it was referring to. The sign revealed that the walls that were around this sign were wet with paint.

As you travel throughout the country, particularly in the rural areas, you may come across a sign that looks like this sign. This is a "Slow-moving Vehicle" sign. It reminds us that the vehicle does not move very fast - no more than 25 miles per hour. If you come upon a vehicle like this, you better be careful, because if you don't, you might run into the back end of that vehicle. The slow moving vehicle sign reveals that the vehicle doesn’t travel very fast.

Another sign that we see throughout this building, or any building that you are in is an "Exit" sign. An "Exit" sign reveals the door in which you are able to get out of that building. Again, the sign reveals something about the object that it is referring to.

In our text for today, we have a sign. That sign is Jesus changing water into wine. That sign, or miracle, (or any miracle that Jesus performs), reveals something about Jesus. It reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of God. What Jesus does through this miracle, (or what Jesus does through any miracle that He performs), goes against the natural process of nature.

Today we have the very first miracle that Jesus performs in His ministry. In our text we have three different groups of people. Let’s look at how they fit into this miracle. Let's look at Mary (Jesus mother), the people who are attending the wedding, and Jesus' disciples.

I. Mary was reminded that Jesus is the Son of God.

As Mary is at this wedding, (that she has been invited to), she is reminded through this miracle, who Jesus is. She is reminded that Jesus is not only her son, but she is reminded that Jesus is God's Son. He is the very Son of God.

As Jesus performs this miracle, Mary would have been reminded of an event that happened 30 years earlier in her life, when the angel Gabriel came to her and told her that she would be with child and she should give Him the name Jesus, and He would be called the Son of God.

Mary was probably reminded of an event that happened 18 years prior to this, when Jesus was just a 12-year-old boy was in the temple. As Mary was talking with her Son, Jesus said to His mom, "Don't you know that I have to go about my Heavenly Father's business?"

Mary is reminded of whom Jesus is. He is the very Son of God, come in the flesh. And Mary goes to Jesus and asks for His help when the wine has run out at the banquet. She knew that Jesus could help. And, she knew that Jesus could spare that family of the embarrassment of running out of wine.

I mentioned this in the Children's Sermon, but I think it is worth repeating. Today our wedding receptions last just a couple of hours. But in Jesus day, a wedding reception lasted up to a week! Think of the food and wine that you would need to provide for your guests and you run out of wine. How embarrassing.

Mary knew that Jesus would be able to help. Mary was reminded that Jesus is the Son of God. We see Mary's faith, as she tells those servants, "Do whatever He (Jesus) tells you." She knows that whatever Jesus, the Son of God says, can happen.

II. The people at the wedding banquet experience that Jesus is the Son of God.

Not only do we see Mary being reminded that Jesus is the very Son of God, we see all of the people at the wedding experiencing it. Those people didn't know that Jesus was the Son of God. They only saw Him as a mere man. Now Jesus didn't perform His first miracle in the religious center of the world, down in Jerusalem. Rather, He chose an out of the way place in Cana, in Galilee. You see, Jesus didn't want His ministry to turn into a circus. He came so that people would believe that He is the Son of God and Savior of the world, who has come to save us from our sin.

The people at the wedding banquet experienced not only Jesus’ mere attendance, not only His mere saving the family of embarrassment, but they also experienced Jesus’ first miracle, as a sign that He is the Son of God.

III. The Disciples believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

In our text we also see the faith of the disciples strengthened.

The gospel of John tells us that Jesus came in the flesh as the Son of God, to save us from our sin. Jesus chose disciples that would learn at His feet, so that once He died, rose, and ascended into Heaven, they could continue to spread that message.

As Jesus performs His first miracle, we see the impression this made on the disciples. Our text for today says, "His disciples put their faith in Him." They already believed that Jesus was the Savior, but now our text says, "His disciples put their faith in Him," and their faith grew stronger in Jesus, as the Son of God.

IV. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

How about you? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? It is unfortunate that there are church bodies that deny miracles in scripture (like this one, Jesus changing water into wine), because they say it is supernatural, therefore it can't happen.

Unfortunately, there are also people who deny that Jesus is the Son of God. How dangerous that is, because when we deny that Jesus is the Son of God, scripture says,

"No one who denies

the Son

has the Father.

But whoever acknowledges

the Son

has the Father, as well."

And the scripture also says,

"Whoever believes in

the Son,

has eternal life.

But, whoever rejects

the Son,

will not see life,

for God's wrath remains on him."

What Jesus did, by changing water into wine, is just like what Jesus has done for you and me who are sinners, by changing us into the very Children of God.

At the end of his book, the Apostle John reminds us of all of the miracles that Jesus performed. This is just the first one. But, he reminds us of all of them. John goes on to say, "Jesus did many other miraculous signs, in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But, these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. And that by believing, you may have life in His Name."

A sign reveals something about the object it is referring to.

Everyday we see signs. Signs like: "Wet Paint," which reveals to us that the walls around that sign have wet paint. Or a "Slow-moving Vehicle" sign that reminds us that the vehicle does not move very fast, or an "Exit" sign that reveals to us the way in which we get out of a building.

From our Sermon text today, we saw a sign. Every time you read that Jesus performed a miracle in scripture, (this is just the first one), may it be a reminder for you of whom Jesus is. He is not only a man, but He is also the Son of God.

The God/Man, Jesus went to the cross and died and then three days later performed His greatest miracle, rising from the dead, so that you and I could benefit, by having the forgiveness of our sin, and because Jesus lives, we have eternal life that He has given to us, in Heaven.

Just as the disciples' faith grew in Jesus, the Son of God, may your faith continue to be strengthened in Jesus, the Son of God.

God grant this to you, for Jesus, our Savior's sake.

Amen.