Replacing Shame With Joy

Read

John 2:1–11 (ESV)

1 On the third day [meaning 3rd day from the scene of Nathanael] there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Opening Prayer

The Controversy of the Passage

There has been much controversy over this miracle.

Especially since the prohibition in the USA...

In which the major denominations in the US fully supported the prohibition...

And, during such time clergy were called upon to form posse’s to enforce the prohibition rules on those who broke them.

Churches in these denominations made drinking alcohol, working at a place that sold alcohol, or really anything to do with alcohol...

...a reason to not let a person join the church.

But, what does the Bible say about wine...

Wine is used as a drink offering in the ceremonial laws of Israel.

Exodus 29:40 (ESV)

40 And with the first lamb a tenth measure of fine flour mingled with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering.

Wine is a symbol of joy and given by God to make the heart of man merry.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 (ESV)

7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

When speaking of the greatness of God in creation and the blessings of God’s abundant goodness towards mankind...

Psalm 104:14–15 (ESV)

14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

Wine is a sign of God’s faithful provision to Israel in the OT.

A lack of wine is seen as the judgment of God upon Israel.

Isaiah 25:6 (ESV)

6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

Wine is also associated with relief for one who was suffering, wounded, or sick.

But, God gives caution with regards to how we use wine.

Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

So, God’s Word tells us that wine is a gift from the Lord that makes the heart merry...

But, if used, it must be used carefully and in moderation...

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Abusing it is a sin. Drunkenness is a sin.

Don’t let it lead you astray into drunkenness, which is sin.

However, we must remember, the Apostle Paul told Timothy to drink some wine for medicinal purposes.

If drinking wine was a sin, then Paul commanded Timothy to sin.

The qualifications of Elders & Deacons (1 Tim. 3) are not restricted to no use of alcohol, but to not abuse…no drunkenness.

Some have tried to say that wine is just grape juice in the Bible...

But, that is not true according to the Scriptures.

In Ephesians 5, that I just referenced, it would be absurd to command not to get drunk with wine if wine meant un-fermented grape juice.

Noah, we’re told, got drunk off wine…he sinned but you don’t get drunk off grape juice.

In the story of the Good Samaritan we’re told...

Luke 10:34 (ESV)

34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

You wouldn’t pour grape juice into a wound.

You would pour wine with alcohol content as an antiseptic.

As a matter of fact wine and oil were used for thousands of years to clean and tend to wounds.

The wine killed germs/prevented infection and the oil would heal with its restorative qualities.

On the day of Pentecost, when the Apostles were speaking in all the languages of the people present, it was said of them...

Acts 2:12–13 (ESV)

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled [intoxicated] with new wine.”

Acts 2:15 (ESV)

15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Some have said about this miracle of Jesus’...

...that it cannot be wine because the Lord would never give someone something that they could use to get drunk...

But, listen since God has created all things then God has provided the very things we take advantage of and misuse.

God is not responsible for our misuse.

Our misuse of God’s provision is called sin.

And, we misuse all of God’s blessings in countless ways.

So, Jesus turning water into wine is not somehow God making people sin...

It’s God, providing us with a creation that allows for merry-ness and happiness and joy in the Giver of such things.

Just a Note Regarding NT Wine

Wine is fermented in as little as 5-21 days...

Without pasteurization & refrigeration, it would be impossible to keep grape juice from fermenting.

Also, research shows that the wine of the bible, would naturally peak at around 11-12% AC.

And, often was diluted 2 parts water to 1 part wine.

Passover wine was diluted 3 parts water to 1 part wine, which would give what was served approximately 3% AC.

Which means it would take four glasses to equal one undiluted glass.

Again, and we need to remember, the imperative from God’s word is no drunkenness.

Now, it’s important to note, and I’m compelled to say, that there are innumerable tragedies that have come into people’s lives due to the excessive use and abuse of alcohol...

As well as many other things in creation that humanity abuses.

And, as Christians we should care about that...

And, we should care about the people who have been impacted by such tragedies.

And, we should be careful to not practice a liberty we have in Christ in front of a brother or sister who may stumble.

Most likely, with this many people and so many differing backgrounds, there are different personal convictions regarding the use of alcohol.

But, at the same time, the church must not call sin, what God does not call sin.

And, as Christians, in the areas of liberty, it is imperative that we trust in the inner work of the Spirit of God...

Over the work of the flesh in dealing with the Law.

Now with all that being said, let’s look at the passage...

John 2:1–5 (ESV)

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

So what we have here is...

A Wedding Feast

In the whole process, it was customary for the groom to bring gifts to the bride and for other members of the family.

There would be an agreed upon brideprice that the Groom/family was responsible to produce.

Part of the that would be a proper Wedding Feast given particularly in honor of the Bride.

The wedding was an occasion of great family rejoicing.

The bride and groom wearing special clothing.

A fine dress and veil for the bride, usually adorned with jewels.

The groom wearing fine clothing.

There would be processions, dances, and feasts.

The groom and his friends would have a procession where they would work their way to an agreed spot...

Playing tambourines and other musical instruments to meet the bride...

And then continue, while still playing music, down the streets with the bride and her friends (up to 10 other virgins) accompanying them back to the groom’s house, which would be the bride’s new home, and location of the wedding feast.

A wedding celebration would last a week.

And, was commonly called the Bride’s week.

It was a very celebratory social event that included the whole community...

This was a welcomed celebration of the community that celebrated the joy of life and family...

And, the Giver of life & family, God.

Now, let’s look at...

The People at the Wedding

We’re not told much about the guest list...

Mary, Jesus’ mother, was there as an invited guest...

And, we’re told that Jesus and His disciples were invited as well.

We assume the disciples were John, James, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael.

Obviously there was a Bride & Groom and their families, but they remain unnamed and, for the most part, out of the picture.

There were servers and a Master of the Banquet…all unnamed.

Since, Mary and Jesus were invited it would seem that they were possibly relatives of the wedding party.

And, since Mary is concerned that the wine had run out, it leads one to believe that the relative was the Groom.

The Problem

Well, in this week long celebration of the wedding...

THere would be a rotation of guests...

And, it was important for each day to be just as celebratory as the previous.

The meal, the drink, the rituals, it was to be a great time for all the guests, equally each day.

But, on this day…probably nearing the end of the week long celebration...

They run out of wine.

John 2:3–5 (ESV)

3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

So, in this passage which has probably been a difficult one to grasp for most, it seems that...

Mary Steps Over the Line

What leads us to believe that Mary steps over the line is the response of Jesus to her statement to Jesus.

They have no wine.

Jesus’ response is...

Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come?

Now, in our culture someone saying WOMAN! is a rude remark...

Kind of a demeaning, know your place and get back to it, derogatory remark.

But this is not true in biblical times.

The word here for woman…is used as a term of respect or affection.

Jesus uses this term when commending His mother to John, who was charged to take care of her as a beloved woman.

So, why call Mary woman instead of mother?

It does seem that Jesus is calling her attention to the fact that it is not her’s to command the work of the Son doing the will of the Father.

This is natural for a parent to overstep boundaries in the relationship with their adult children.

But, it seems that she takes the statement in stride...

Maybe correcting herself in her mind and heart...

But, nonetheless, she anticipates the willingness of her Son’s compassion to kick in and do something to help.

She turns to the servants and tells them...

Do whatever He tells you.

We have no reason to think that she anticipates Him turning water into wine.

This is reportedly the first miracle performed by Jesus.

But, she could assume that he would give a speech and with the wisdom that exudes from Him from a young age...

Be able to save the celebration from embarrassment due to the lack of wine.

Maybe she hoped that He would give a speech regarding the Groom’s character and quality of his family.

We’re not sure, other than she feels certain that He can fix the problem.

When Jesus says My hour has not yet come...

This is a phrase or a phrase very similar that is used over 20 times in John’s gospel...

And, it points to His atoning death and glorious resurrection.

Mary is saying to Jesus, please do something to save the train wreck that is about to occur.

Do something to redeem this celebration.

And, Jesus always thinking about His mission and the work of His Father...

Speaks to the timing of His true and ultimate redemption says...

The time for true redemption is not upon us yet.

But here’s a question that I think is helpful...

Why Is This A Big Deal?

In our culture, it’s like so what…just drink something else.

Not so in the Ancient Near Eastern culture.

The biblical culture was very much an Honor/Shame culture.

It was critical to not shame your self or your family.

Bringing shame upon your self or you family had huge, lasting social & economic consequences.

Wine was the common drink, especially in celebratory occasions.

Weddings in the ancient Near East not only included the celebratory side...

But, also included a very strong legal side to them.

Especially regarding the groom and his family not only promising a bride-price...

But, providing it and that it be appropriate, of which the wedding feast was included.

When the supply of wine failed at this wedding, more than social embarrassment was at stake.

The bridegroom and his family could have become legally & financially liable for inadequate wedding provisions.

They could be sued and hurt economically by the Bride’s family.

This had the potential of being disastrous to the family name, finances, and their every day social life.

So, when Christ turns the water into wine...

It’s not a pump up the noise moment.

He’s saving the Groom from the legal demands of the Law.

He’s saving the Groom from the shame of transgressing the Law.

The shame that would be felt for the rest of the Groom’s life.

The Wisdom & Grace of God

And, oh the wisdom of God in not only doing such for the Groom...

But, also displaying the greater work coming by the containers used in the miracle.

John 2:6 (ESV)

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

Jesus purposefully picks the stone water jars that were used for purification.

Containers that are used in the process in the legal system of ceremonial purification.

John 2:7–10 (ESV)

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it [keep on taking it] to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

All of Jesus’ miracles taught and pointed to the ultimate point of His mission.

The redemption of His people from the guilt and shame and condemnation from their transgressing of the Law.

The wisdom & power of God to not only perform such miracles...

But at the same time do so in such a manner that symbolized the work and mission of Christ for His people.

The jars being filled to the brim symbolizes the totality of the Law.

The groom running out of wine symbolizes the transgression of the Law.

The transgression of the Law symbolizes the shame of our guilt.

The wine replacing the water symbolizes the joy & life that Christ offers in place of the shame & death that we deserve.

Jesus offers salvation from the legal demands of the Law...

By turning the ministry of death from the Law...

The guilt and shame of the Law broken by us...

The righteous demands of the Law...

The condemnation of the Law...

Into the ministry of joy and life because the Law is fulfilled in Him.

He changes death into life.

He changes sorrow into joy.

And, He does so abundantly.

John 2:9–10 (ESV)

9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

Jesus provides the best.

He wants our life to be abundantly joy-filled.

He wants us to enjoy life in Him.

Is this a real story, a real miracle?

Did Jesus really provide the Groom with the best wine?

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

A great made-up story wouldn’t increase the disciples faith...

But a miracle would.

A made up story isn’t manifesting the glory & divinity of Christ...

But a miracle of changing the molecular structure of water into the molecular structure of the best wine...

Instantly, would instill faith, an increased faith in Jesus as the Christ.

Jesus actually saved the Groom and his family from shame.

Jesus actually turned water into wine.

This was a miracle that pointed to the divinity of Christ.

The compassion of the Christ.

The salvation of the Christ.

John is telling us this miracle as an expansion of...

John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The “Here & Now”

You and I are the Groom.

We’ve come to the Legal Demands of the Law...

And, we’ve fallen short.

Not only are we shamed, but we’re guilty...

And, the justice of the Law is hanging over our heads...

And, yet, there is provision given by God.

God has provided a Savior who can not only take our shame and give us honor...

But, He can remove the legal demands of the Law for us.

So that, in the eyes of all and specifically the Law of God...

We stand righteous in honor and guiltless of the legal demands that once hung over us.

And, we live in the joy of the Lord...

Roaming in the pastures of the Lord...

Surrounded by and dwelling in the steadfast love of the Lord.

The water of the Law has been completely and in-exhaustively replaced by the wine of the gospel.

Every accusation of the Law, every time our sin takes us back to the Law to draw out from it a guilty verdict...

The only thing that comes out is the wine of joy that Christ gives us in His covenant...

Purchased by His blood.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Administrative Professionals' Day

Marilyn Morrow & Elizabeth Palmer

Closing Prayer