One of the things I enjoy at parties, and when I meet people for the first time is not letting them know that I am a minister.
When they don’t know what I do for a living they are somehow - more at ease. I only tell people what I do for a living if they actually ask…
And it’s amazing to see the reactions I get… they hide their cigarettes, put their drinks away - they stop swearing and they apologise before telling any dirty jokes.
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Most often, when I tell people I’m a minister, they don’t actually believe me - but they play along anyways.
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In the reading from the gospel of John we read about Jesus’ first miracle… the miracle at
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Not a very Methodist miracle if you ask me.
First - Jesus made wine - and we Methodists are quite strict about our policy on liquor.
Secondly - Making wine was not actually necessary - the miracle was a bit extravagant don’t you think? Why make wine when water is sufficient to quench a person’s thirst?
We Methodists have a bit of a reputation for being tight with our money. Our discipline teaches us to shy away from extravagance, to live simply, to count our shekels carefully. Not to go overboard, as Jesus seems to have done.
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The gospel writer, John, writes about Jesus in order to tell people what God is like.
He writes in 1:1 “the Word was God”, in 1:14 he carries on “The Word became a human being, and full of grace and truth, lived among us.”
What John is saying is that this person in the story is in fact God. The Word was God, The Word lived among us.
John gives us the simplest answer to the most difficult question: “What is God like?” The simple answer is “God is like Jesus.”
If you want to know about God - then look to Jesus.
If you wonder how God would respond to something - then ask - “How would Jesus respond to this?”
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As we read this story, as we see what Jesus does, we need to ask - what does this miracle of turning water into wine tell us about the God we serve?
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On a plain and simple level it tells us that God is extravagant. That’s a no-brainer - we knew that already.
Living around here you don’t have to look to far to be reminded that we serve an extravagant God… huge mountains, streams, colours, beautiful scenery; All of it - a bit unnecessary - a bit extravagant. Created we believe, by a God with an eye for details.
Its plain and evident in creation - a part of every facet of our existence: Why do peaches taste so good? Why are grapes so juicy and sweet?
If God wanted it that way things could have tasted really bland - we’d have to eat anyways in order to live.
The God we serve, is extravagant - more generous than he needs to be.
Why bring out the choice wine - when the guests have clearly have had enough - and are satisfied with the cheap stuff that comes in boxes?
If Jesus’ action is a reflection of God’s action, then God is extravagant.
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As we take a closer look at the story we learn that God is a caring sort of God.
Jesus responds to his mother’s request - he does what she asks him to do even though the time is not right. Jesus says; “my time has not yet come.”
Jesus’ act saves the hosts of the party from severe embarrassment: It would have been a sign of complete disrespect to one’s guests to run out of wine at a wedding banquet, a mark of shame that would stay with the host for a long time after the party had ended… but its not really a matter of life and death.
Jesus is willing to perform this miracle, simply to prevent the hosts from committing a terrible social faux pas, and offending all of their guests.
This little miracle doesn’t save the world - it simply protects some people’s dignity.
A little bit unnecessary, but I think we’re learning that the God we serve is an extravagant and compassionate God.
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But what about the symbolism of the act?
Why six stone water jars?
What about Jesus words: “My time has not yet come.”
What is John trying to say to us in these details of the story?
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The water jars were specifically set aside for ritual bathing - an important part of Jewish religion at the time. They used stone jars because they were considered less likely to become ritually unclean / or impure - than those made of other substances.
These stone jars were used for only one thing… ritual cleansing. To use them for any other purpose would render them unfit for ritual cleansing for some time to follow.
Jesus pays little attention to the strict rules of ritual purity… he takes the water jars (reserved for religious purposes) and uses them to help people have more fun.
He takes something that is set aside - that is used for serious purposes - and uses it to bring life and joy!
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Immediately after performing this miracle John has Jesus go to the temple, he drives out the money changers and those who were selling animals for sacrifice…
Jesus challenges the way we practice our religion - forcing us to ask, does it give us life? Does it give others life?
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What about Jesus words, “My time has not yet come?”
Jesus knows that this miracle will mark the beginning of his ministry.
The gospel writer, John uses the Greek word for hour to speak about periods of time, or something that will happen at an appointed, appropriate time…
This word refers to a future hope:
In John 4, when Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, using the same word he says - “the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God’s Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants.” - John 4:23 (GNB)
In his encounter with the Samaritan woman Jesus speaks of a future hope - a time - when people will realise what God is like, and will respond appropriately in their worship of him.
This word refers to the hour of Jesus’ glorification… The climax of John’s gospel - the crucifixion and more importantly - the resurrection of Jesus.
This moment - according to John’s gospel - cements the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God - God in the flesh. According to John - its God’s amen to the lesson of Jesus’ life.
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The miracle at
It reminds us of God’s extravagant grace - how much more does God want to do for each of us, and each of those around us - if Jesus will turn water into wine just to save the host from embarrassment at a wedding banquet.
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The story reminds us that Jesus is as much there when we’re having fun as he is when we are struggling. A reminder for us to enjoy ourselves - in moderation of course - because God enjoys us when we enjoy ourselves.
Perhaps it’s a call to worship God when we eat a peach, or enjoy some of the other simple blessings in life; Just as much as we call to God in difficult times.
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The reading from the letter to the Corinthians gives an extensive list of gifts which the Spirit gives to the church, gifts of life giving abundance - among them - faith, miracles, gifts of healing…. Perhaps we should begin to consider how - using the abundance of gifts which God gives us we might be inspired to live life giving lives - as we imitate Jesus who gave wine, when water would have been sufficient.
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