Sermonette: Jan. 17, 2022

John 2:1-5 - On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Jesus’ ministry and life on earth was made up of two primary actions: teaching and miracles. The Scripture text listed above tells the story of the wedding at Cana. This is the story of Jesus’ first miracle, and is only told in the Gospel of John.

Here’s the setting - Jesus and his mother have been invited to a wedding. The disciples are invited too! Now since both Jesus and his mom were invited, we might be able to assume that this marriage was a family event; that one of their relatives was likely getting married.

It is also important to note that weddings in the first century were days-long events. Guests would come and stay for an entire week. Weddings were indeed grand and lengthy celebrations.

So, in the midst of the festivities, we read that the hosts of the wedding ran out of wine. While this might not seem like that big of a deal to us, it would have been a huge deal back then. You see, in that time and culture, running out of wine at a wedding would have brought great shame on the bride, the groom, and their families.

Mary seems particularly disturbed by this fact and comes to Jesus for a solution. Jesus’ reply to her is, “It is not yet my time.” And yet, Jesus does turn to the servants and asks them to fill clay jars with water. And when they do, the water is miraculously turned into wine.

And not just any wine, but the finest quality of wine.

It is not stated, but I think we can assume that the guests went on with their festivities, enjoying the abundance.

But what happens for the wedding guests is not really the point of the story. In verse 11, we read - Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Jesus’ “first sign” changing water into wine at a wedding in Cana helps his disciples to see just who this Jesus is. First, Jesus does this miracle sort of behind the scenes, not drawing attention to himself. In fact, the host of the party does not know Jesus was involved. Additionally, Jesus performs the miracle reluctantly, only after having been convinced by his mom. So, he’s not out to get credit. That is clear.

What is also clear is that Jesus performs this miracle in the face of what his mother sees as a pressing need. Far from being apathetic to the need, Jesus shows himself to be loving and responsive. In this way, this wine miracle also makes clear that like his father in heaven, Jesus has power over creation.

In the previous chapter of John, we read - “In the beginning was the word… and all things came into being through him.” And then in chapter 14 - “and the word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth.”

 The word who made all things has become flesh himself. And this word is full of goodness. So we should not be surprised when this Jesus is able and willing to provide all that is needed there at the wedding feast.

For this first, seemingly unplanned “sign” of Jesus points unmistakably to Jesus’ ultimate purpose.

Jesus has come to draw all people into life abundant and free. He has come that one day we might all celebrate and feast with him at the heavenly banquet. What a celebration it will be!