The Glorious Wedding

Context

Theme of I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. As we read about Jesus interacting with his disciples and other people around him, we are invited to consider what it means for us to follow Jesus.

Today’s reading, comes from the Gospel of John. John the Baptist has pointed out Jesus as the expected Messiah. Based on John’s testimony, at least four disciples — Andrew and Simon Peter, and Philip and Nathanael — have started following Jesus. John the evangelist tells us the story of the Jesus’ first miracle.

Text John 2:1-11

John 2:1–11 (ESV)

On the third day (JH: after Jesus’ baptism and the four disciples follow Jesus) there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 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 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.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Introduction

EG: Envelope: Card from a young couple. Happy occasion of a wedding. Family friends community is gathered and united in new ways.

John’s gospel and his later book, Revelation uses the wedding feast as an image of the Kingdom of God. Image of a wedding at the end of time. When all of God’s people are reunited with God and with each other. Feasting and glory.

[John refers to himself as the groomsman to Christ the groom, who has come for his bride, which is all of God’s people. (John 3:28-30; Rev. 19:9)]

At the beginning of the gospel, John tells the story of Jesus’ first miracle. It happens at a wedding that is foundering.

Ancient Problem

Weddings in the ancient near east would last several days. Display of planning, of plenty, and of the groom’s family to show its ability to provide a secure life for the new bride. And in general to get the couple off to a good start. Family and friends would attend, indeed all the town was expected to drop in at one time or another.

This wedding was going into crisis. They had run out of wine. They did not buy enough wine? More guests than expected? Bottom line: no more wine, no more celebration.

We would panic at a wedding reception…caterer says, no dinner tonight. Bartender, we ran out of drinks. Embarrassing and maybe even a bad “sign.”

Imagine the key family members, the steward, the servants, all stressing out. Not a wealthy area, no corner market, scour the neighbors houses?

What can be done? We are out of wine, everyone is going to go home, the future marred…

John is writing symbolically of the state of God’s ancient people.

They were in a covenant relationship with God. They had been chosen by God like a groom chooses a bride.

reference

It was supposed to be a relationship of joy and celebration, and one that brought all people together, Jew, Gentile, family, friends, and strangers.

But instead, foreign military powers (Rome), unjust taxes, unethical tetrarchs (Herod, who killed John), plus all the usual personal sins, doubts, and frustrations,…

Were draining God’s people of hope and joy for the Kingdom of God.

Like a wedding feast that was running out of wine.

This is not going to go well..this marriage with God is not working out.

Current Problem

As God’s people today, we have been brought into a relationship with God too.

We are supposed to be joyful and peaceful and fulfilled and hopeful. But so many things drain us.

work, finances, relationships, kids, parents, health, all of these taking turn or together.

To the point that we too can find ourselves Running on Empty.

Jackson Browne, “Running on Empty.”

Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels

I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels

Look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through

Looking into their eyes, I see them running too

That is how we feel spiritually.

Individually, and as a church community. Where is the wine?

Isn’t the kingdom of God supposed to be more than this?

Hinge

Indeed it is. And Mary marks a turning point in the story.

By connecting Jesus with the wedding.

Mary is at a wedding.

And Jesus is there.

But he is there just as a guest.

But she sees and knows more.

She knows, like no one else there, that he is the Son of God.

Mary goes to Jesus. “They have no wine.”

Subtext - it is miracle time.

Mary may not have consciously been thinking that saving a failing wedding would be the perfect symbol of Jesus’ messianic mission…

But on a symbolic level, John the author of the gospel is communicating exactly that.

Jesus decided that Mary was right - a wedding is exactly the place to perform his first miracle. At this little wedding in Cana, Jesus could with his first miracle, point to the his goal: to save the relationship between God and his people and fill it to the fullest.

John 10:10“…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Ancient Solution

He looks around. He sees six large water jars (vats)— each holding between 20 and 30 gallons of water.

Typically used to hold water for ritual cleansing of the hands before the meals.

Jesus decides to repurpose them.

He says “fill them with water all the way to the brim.” And they obey. Lots of work. What good is all this water? “Now ladle some out.” And they do. And as they do, it is no longer the water they put in, but wine.

The wine is served to the wedding.

Amazement and joy fill everyone.

The servants are amazed

They’ve just witnessed a miracle!

The Master of ceremonies is amazed:

He tells the groom. Just took this party to the next level. You’ve saved the best till last!

The couple amazed. Suddenly a surplus of high quality wine:

about 180 gallons. approximately 900 bottles of wine.

I like to think that gifts of excellent wine went home with the guests afterward, spreading the wedding joy!

Mary amazed.

Six vats. Really? Maybe 1-3 vats would have been fine.

Jesus: Did you not know that I must show my Father’s wealth?

The Disciples are amazed

They place their faith in him because they witnessed his glory.

He revealed his glory.

John 1:14 “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.”

Pointing to his role as the Messiah who rejuvenates and consummates the marriage between God and his people.

Current Solution

We run out of wine, we get drained. The joy of “at first” is running out.

It seems like the Kingdom of God is at risk or not going to work out in our lives.

Good news, Christ the Son of God has come.

He has made sure the relationship between us and God.

Today, just like then, he can decide to share some of that heavenly glory with us when we need it most.

To turn water into wine whatever that is.

new love into a relationship, new future when all is broken,

Most importantly, make our relationship with God more vibrant.

Not being formulaic. That whenever we turn to Jesus the immediate results will be laughter and happy celebration. That is why we never let go of the symbolic side of the story.

In the story, immediately turns water into wine.

Normally this takes time.

It may be, often is, that our crises slowly transform into glory.

Yet, Jesus is with us, and he guarantees the feast will not fail.

The disciples were told, You will see greater things than this.

And they did. They saw him turn death to life in his resurrection. And go into heaven before them.

We all plan to go through that sorrow to the heavenly wedding feast.

Our invitation is to turn to him.

Like Mary did.

With trust.

Trust in who Jesus is and what he is all about and what he can do.

Here is the challenge I am seeing. I invite you to take action. I trust you will do the right thing, whatever that is.

His love for us. His love for others.

To obey his commands.

it is not our place to come to Jesus to tell him what to do, but to do what he tells us to do.

Oh that we could follow Mary’s word: Do whatever he tells you.

He decides to act and he includes us in it.

May be something expected: Be temperate, sober, chaste, honor your parents, give generously, be courageous, serve others. Christ works through these things.

We give our effort, God gives the miracle. “Apart from Christ, we cannot. Without us, He won’t.”

Lastly, when he does act and reveal his glory. Let us see it and follow him all the more.

The miracle, and giving thanks for it, strengthen our faith.

Hymn: Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been granted in what he ordaineth?

St. Ignatius: Whatever you fail to do, do not fail to give thanks.

In a recent conversation here at church, I interacted with someone whom I had last seen in the hospital. We had prayed he would get through. He did. So we took a moment, right then, to say thank you God.

Conclusion

Following Jesus means that the wedding banquet ahead of us, will NOT BE A FAILED ATTEMPT: the union of our souls with him and all of God’s people is secure.

We can trust to final joy; IT WILL WORK OUT!

Draw near to him.

Do whatever he tells you.

Rejoice in the glory of Jesus

Then EG: our lives become like this thank you card addressed to God: it was wonderful thank you!

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

In peace let us pray to the Lord, saying, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, in every gathering of Christian believers, you bring together a people of gifts, strengths, and needs to manifest the universal body of Christ. We pray for your church throughout the world, that every local congregation may live as sisters and brothers in harmony, showing forth the light of Christ to the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In every age you raise up servant leaders for your people. We pray for all who teach and lead [for our Bishop N., for our pastor N.], and for all serve in the name of Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the sake of the common good of all people, you create human societies to be places of refuge and human flourishing. We pray for the leaders of the governments and especially for our leaders [President N., Governor N., and others in public service]. May they receive wisdom to exercise government with true justice grounded in mercy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son, Jesus, performed the first of his signs of glory at a wedding in Cana. We pray for all who are joined as family: for husbands and wives and for all who make covenant to live together for mutual support and love; for parents and children, for the aged and the young. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, you are the giver of all good things: Receive our prayers that we offer for ourselves and for our world. In all things, grant us the courage to exercise your gifts for the good of our world, through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen .

— Long, Kimberly Bracken. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost (pp. 51-52). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.