“appeared” (NIV) = “Manifested” (KJV) = phaneroo = to make manifest or visible or known what was hidden or unknown; to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. This shows us that Jesus was in existence in a very real sense in a realm beyond that of our known space – time continuum and He and His glory were from time to time made visible to men here on this planet in this physical realm of existence.

This appearance was at the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and was not the meeting on a mountain in Galilee which Jesus had prearranged with His disciples (Mark 16:7, Matt 28:7, 16). The disciples had left Judea and arrived in Galilee waiting for that meeting. Jesus appeared to them before the appointed time. Perhaps He knew that they needed Him to appear early so they would not lose heart waiting? Matthew Henry notes that “Christ is often better than his word, but never worse, often anticipates and outdoes the believing expectations of his people, but never disappoints them.”

Mark 16:7  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Matthew 28:7  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Matthew 28:16  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

Compare the beginning of the miracles of Jesus with the beginning of the miracles Moses did.  One of the first of Moses’ miracles was changing water into blood Ex 7:10, 20 and the first of Jesus’ miracles was to change water into wine.  How does this compare the Law of Moses with the Gospel of Christ?

Ex 7:10  So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake.

Ex 7:20  Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.

The word for “miracle” which John uses here and elsewhere is “semeion” which means “sign.”  The other gospel writers use a term which John never uses which stresses the element.  To John the miracles were primarily as a sign; they point us to something beyond themselves; they have meaning.

This sign displays the glory (doxa) of Jesus.  It shows that even though Jesus is truly man, He is indeed something more, He is the Son of God.  Even though a sign may show the glory of Jesus, this may be hidden from the casual observer, as it was from the wedding guests and from the governor. Not everyone sees the signs that God gives to us. The world calls them “coincidences,” but we know them to be much more than that. What miracles has Jesus used to reveal his glory to you?

The effect of the miracle on the wedding guests was probably non-existent because they didn’t know of it (unless the servants told them), but there was an observable effect upon the disciples — they believed. They had already believed to some extent, but this increased their faith in Christ. It is the same with us. As Maclaren notes, “Our faith ought to be continuously and increasingly responsive to His continuous manifestations of Himself which we can all find in our own experience.”

Note that the first miracle wrought by Jesus was in the home of a poor family celebrating their wedding feast. Barclay notes that, “Nearly everyone can do the big thing on the big occasion; but it takes Jesus to do the big thing on a simple, homely occasion like this.”

Note also that Jesus over-killed the need. No wedding feast could possibly have used 120 – 180 gallons of wine for the whole feast, much less for whatever part of the feast still remained when he did this miracle. How sufficient is the grace of God? No need on earth can possibly exhaust it. He fills our cups to overflowing.

Barclay again observes that whenever Jesus comes into a man’s life it is much the same as having water changed into wine. That which was bland, dull, and stale suddenly becomes sparkling, fresh, and exciting. Life is thrilling and exhilarating with Jesus.

Wine was a symbol of joy and gladness in the Old Testament (Psalm 104:15).

Psalms 104:15  wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

One of the reasons Jesus came here was to bring us joy. He became acquainted with our grief so that He could bring us joy. Jesus proclaimed in the synagogue (Luke 4:21) that the following prophecy was speaking of Him and His purpose in coming:

Isaiah 61:1  The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2  to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

Maclaren said that “The Man of Sorrows (came) with the gift of joy in His hand.” Jesus blessed this couple on their wedding day and He will bless you in your need. If you bring your cup of tears to Him, He will change it into gladness – and He will do it in more abundance than you could ever imagine!

In closing, there were basically three different groups of people blessed by the first miracle of Jesus. There were those who got to enjoy the wine but had no clue of its miraculous beginnings; there were the servants who, because of their obedience, got to see the miracle; and there were the disciples, who not only got to see the miracle, but also got to walk with Christ, learn from Him, and get to develop a friendship with Him. These three different groups of people represent three different levels of relationship with Christ. It is always wonderful to receive a blessing from God, even if you don’t know Him. On the other hand, obeying Him brings an even greater reward. But the ultimate is to follow Him, to sacrifice worldly pleasures to spend quality (and quantity!) time with Him. Jesus later told His disciples (and us) that they were no longer His servants, but were His friends (John 15:15) because servants don’t need to be in the know about things, but He has revealed to them all things that His Father God had taught Him. Christ calls us into a deeper relationship with Him. He didn’t come to make an army of robots or a Kingdom of slaves; He came to set you free so that you could become His friend. Are you His close friend and disciple? Or are you just a servant or a person in the crowd? Won’t you choose right now to give yourself more fully to Him and to let Him draw you into a relationship like you never dreamed possible? He wants to be your best Friend. Please let Him.

John 15:15  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.