Best for last?
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Read Scripture
Water to Wine
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.”
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.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Intro
Intro
[Video]
Is Jesus really just a huge wet blanket? I heard a comedian say the best way to end a conversation you don’ t want to be in is to say lets talk about Jesus. Of course this is the authorized time during our week to engage talking about Jesus. This is the water we swim in and it affects us. What if you heard that Jesus was coming to your wedding? Doesn’t that mean there will be less celebration? John is writes to invite us into a journey of discovering who jesus really is, John inspired by the Holy Spirit would have us Meet Jesus. Jesus takes a while to understand, relating to Jesus is a process of growing revelation and relationship. Jesus invites and challenges us along the way to deeper understanding of Him and ourselves. Here John is introducing Jesus first “sign” , not miracle, in a story we could call the best for last. John initiates this journey by pointing to the climax. John is a book meant to be re-read, like one of those movies which makes more sense the second time around. The Gospel of John is a book one can read over and over again and grow in understanding Jesus. In this first story we see Jesus attending a wedding and far from bringing people down He brings joy, in the form of the best wine they have ever had. He saves the family from embarrassment while giving his disciples a glimpse of His glory and strengthening their faith.
Religion Runs Dry
Religion Runs Dry
6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice,
and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
and his bride has prepared herself.
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
No Wait that is the wrong wedding. Jumped the gun.
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.”
Jesus mother part of wedding Jesus and disciples invited. She would have known about the supplies.
She talks to Jesus not because she expects him to fill stone jars never used for wine with water and then instantly turn it into wine. To understand this story we need to step back from our familiarity and be honest with ourselves.
Mary brings this problem to Jesus because he is the oldest son and her husband seems to be gone. Jesus would be the one to do stuff.
Turning water into wine is a famous story. As well it should be since it is true. But at the time it was unexpected. We really would expect more of the same, that things would go on as they always do.
But Jesus changes things.
Mary brings the need to Jesus and his response is a weird one.
4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
What does this have to do with me? It is so say I don’t have to step in here, I am not the one responsible, I could just go on my way, this is not my family.
My hour has not yet come, remember the best for last. Whenever Jesus mentions his hour in the gospel of John he is pointing us to the cross.
This is what I love about Jesus his response is to Mary and that situation and to us. Jesus includes all those who would believe in him and read this story. Jesus knows he is part of a larger story and yet remains present with Mary.
Reflect on this: I don’t have to do what I am going to do I am doing it willingly, it is my own decision.
Mary understands and responds with faith. She gives some of the best advice anyone following Jesus could receive, “Do whatever he tells you.”
This is our effort our best laid plans falling short, The family didn’t buy enough wine for the celebrants. Throughout scripture wine brings joy.
God plans for you to have joy in your life, He has designed a world which provides it. He is not a cosmic killjoy.
14 You cause grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for people to use.
You allow them to produce food from the earth—
15 wine to make them glad,
olive oil to soothe their skin,
and bread to give them strength.
The ceremonial practices God had laid out for his people where never meant to become religious rituals by which they would control Him. This is often how we think of God we do this and he will do this. If we do the right religious thing or jump through the hoop then he will do so and so.
God intended for his plans and patterns to serve as signs as shadows of the reality that was coming in Jesus. Human effort to maintain religious ritual feels wise in it’s harsh treatment of the body but the scripture says accomplishes nothing in restraining the flesh.
The law given by God and human effort were meant to run dry so that we could lay down our self righteousness, and follow the signs into relationship with God who is there and He is not silent. He became flesh and dwelt among us.
Changing the Game
Changing the Game
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.”
Be honest with yourself, if you were one of those eagerly waiting for the Messiah after all these years what would you have expected?
Not this.
The messiah would come and fit perfectly into the religious system. He would be the best Prophet, Priest and King for their time. He would set things right conquer Rome, establish the Kingdom of Israel, use the temple keep the laws perfectly. He would just make the current systems better fit into our paradigms right.
We would expect more of the same just better. Than before.
Here Jesus shatters our idea. This story is the beginning of end for the old system it has run it’s course and now points to Jesus.
Stone jars - ceremonial washing. Jesus says fill them with wine!
Jesus saves the wedding feast, and shows his glory to the disciples. He doesn’t make the host announce the was the work of Jesus of Nazareth international ministries ltd. The point of this miracle is not the miracle, which is why John calls them signs. They point to something and in this case it is Jesus and His plans.
The master of Ceremonies says this is not the way it is always done, something totally unusual happened here they saved the best for last.
The wedding feast is saved but John invites us further into the journey of knowing Jesus and witnessing the disciples grow in their trust in him in their belief that he is the Messiah.
The Best for Last
The Best for Last
11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Jesus manifested his glory. He is letting the disciples in on who he is. In this story his hour has not yet come. For us it has. He invites both these disciples and us to enjoy the new wine He is making. The point of this story is verse 11.
And this is the point for us. Jesus didn’t come to ruin the wedding, he came to bring joy and the best wine. Jesus didn’t come to work miracles He came to put up signs. An invitation first to believe and then to follow.
Belief and obedience cannot be separated. When we see who Jesus is we desire to obey.
This first sign at a wedding is a loaded story, filled with possibilities and unexpected outcomes. Jesus is not a Debbie Downer , or a wet blanket hoping to restrain your fun with religion. He is the source of joy, a mysterious but true friend who invites us to deeper relationship.
Accept His invitation today and begin your journey to Final wedding feast.
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
John starts his story at a wedding this picture of a lifelong covenant commitment. Jesus has made this commitment to His bride.
In Jewish wedding celebrations we get a picture of God’s plan for His people.
Betrothal, bride price, time or prep/purity, return of groom, wedding ceremony, feast. This is a picture of what jesus is doing right now.
Marriage is the picture God chose to give us to understand the relationship his people would have with him and an institution to bless our lives.
We get to celebrate the reality of this today in our family.
Vow Renewal
Vow Renewal
We have gathered today in the love of fellowship and family to celebrate a renewal of marriage vows between Bob and Jean. They asked to renew their vows in front of their Church, They see you as family. They are a committed couple and it shows in every aspect of how they follow Jesus. They seek to serve God with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength and are a strength to this Church.
They desire to express here in front of you all their undying love for each other as a reminder where this love comes from.
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
this song speaks of Jesus love in us which enables a true lifelong love.
“I could never promise you on just my strength alone
That all my life I'd care for you, and love you as my own
I've never known the future, I only see today
Words that last a lifetime would be more than I could say
But the love inside my heart today is more than mine alone
It never changes, it never fails, never seeks it's own
And by the God who gives it, and who lives in me and you
I know the words I speak today are words I'm going to do
And so I stand before you now for all to hear and see
I promise you in Jesus' name the love He's given me
And through the years on earth and as eternity goes by
The life and love He's given us are never going to die... “
Bob and Jean, Today you re-commit yourselves to honoring Christ in submitting to one another above your separate selves, and to valuing your union above your own interests. In this, you connect to a wealth of love and peace not otherwise attainable.
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Bob would you take Jean’s hand and make your vows to her…
VOWS TO JEAN
Jean, would you now make your vows to Bob…
VOWS TO BOB
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Inasmuch as you have sealed this renewal of your marriage vows in the presence of those gathered here, it gives me much pleasure to pronounce that you are now, even more than ever before, Husband and Wife.
Conclusion:
What is your next step, what does trust look like for you next? Reflect on your relationship with Jesus, who is it that you trust?