2.3 miracles and signs pg 37-39

Question 1

Where does the turning water into wine sign take place and what is the significance?

Answer 1

• a wedding
• the OT represents the relationship between God and the people as a marriage
• it was a symbol for the messianic banquet

Question 2

What OT reference looks at the marriage between God and his people?

Answer 2

Isaiah 54:5

Question 3

What day was the water into wine sign performed and the significance?

Answer 3

• ‘on the third day’

Question 4

What is the significance of the sign being on the third day?

Answer 4

• points forward to Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after his death
• links with the third day of creation in Genesis -> waters were gathered and the trees bore fruit, with references to the water changing into wine

Question 5

What is the significance of Jesus changing water into wine?

Answer 5

• Jesus superseded the legalism of Judaism as he turned the water used for the ritual of purification into excellent wine: the best is saved to last (2:10)

Question 6

What is the significance of the six jars?

Answer 6

• the six jars (seven was seen as perfect) suggest there is something inadequate about ritualistic Judaism
• it was the sixth day of creation when God created Adam
• Friday is the sixth day, the day Jesus was crucifies, pointing to his death

Question 7

What does Jesus call his mother and what does he say to her?

Answer 7

• he calls her ‘woman’ - a link to Eve and the creation story
• he tells her “my hour has not yet come”, pointing to her hour of his death

Question 8

What is the significance of the wine?

Answer 8

• ECC = wine would be linked with the Eucharist
• the wedding took place before the Passover, the same time of year that Jesus changed the wine into his Eucharistic blood
• the emphasis on the wine can be seen as a messianic claim, as in the Messianic Age wine would be abundant - Jeremiah 31:12

Question 9

How do the signs relate to glory?

Answer 9

• the ‘sign’ acts as a pointer towards Jesus’ supreme glorification, his death and resurrection

Question 10

What is the main message of the first sign?

Answer 10

• The water of Judaism is inadequate for salvation, the old covenant. It is the wine/blood of Jesus, the new covenant, that is the path to eternal life

Question 11

How does the second sign reference the first sign?

Answer 11

• the symbolism of the first sign pointed to Jesus’ death; the theme is continued in this sign

Question 12

What is the significance of the son being close to death?

Answer 12

• the son does not die, which shows that for those that believe, death is not the outcome but eternal life
• it is a Gentile who trusts in the word and power of Jesus

Question 13

How does Jesus challenge the nature of the belief?

Answer 13

“Unless you people see signs and wonders”
- the signs and wonders are the works of God in the OT -> belief based on them is inadequate

Question 14

What is the significance of Jesus saying “your son will live”?

Answer 14

• Jesus’ word is life to the boy
• his words were enough to overrule the power of nature
• the reference to son may be symbolic: Jesus is the son and his death will also be followed by life

Question 15

What is the significance of the time the healing took place?

Answer 15

It took place at 1pm
- the seventh hour is the symbolic of the perfect time
- John records that Jesus was led from his trial to his death around midday and that the boy’s recovery at 1pm acts as a signpost to Jesus’ resurrection

Question 16

What is the significance of his household believing?

Answer 16

• shows that Jesus message was going beyond the Jews to the Gentiles

Question 17

What is the the overall message of the second sign?

Answer 17

The words of Jesus give life; and it is given to those who have faith and believe in Jesus

Question 18

What does Brown observe about the third sign?

Answer 18

• it marks the beginning of a section in the Gospel where Jesus is shown to replace the great feasts of Judaism, one by one

Question 19

What ‘feast’ is the third sign replacing?

Answer 19

• the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot, which is associated with the renewing of the covenant given to Moses

Question 20

What is the significance of the sheep gate?

Answer 20

• it was the gate through which the sheep were brought to the Temple for sacrifice
• symbolically, this can be compared with Jesus the good shepherd inviting his flock to enter by the ‘door’

Question 21

What is the significance of the pool?

Answer 21

• legend said the whoever entered the water after an angel had stirred it, would be healed
• the pool’s five arches have been likened to the five books of the Law; Jesus is replacing them with his life-giving words
• water as a healing medium is replaced by Jesus through his words and actions

Question 22

What is the significance of the crippled man being disabled for 38 years?

Answer 22

• symbolic of the time the Israelites spent in the wilderness before they entered Israel - Deuteronomy 2:14

Question 23

What is the significance of Jesus telling the man to sin no more/

Answer 23

• Jesus is telling the man that he must not take his new ‘life’ for granted, as he could still be ‘spiritually sick’

Question 24

What is the significance of Jesus telling the man to pick up his mat?

Answer 24

• the law forbade the carrying of objects on the Sabbath - this provoked conflict with the Pharisees

Question 25

What is the main message of the third sign?

Answer 25

Jesus offers spiritual healing here and now; this is known as realised eschatology