January 14, 2007 Second Sunday after Epiphany

John 2.1-11

Who is bringing the Wine?

What happens when a ministers walks into a party in full swing? Unless its a church gathering, if a minister walks into a party in full swing, people are likely to put their drinks down and whisper to each other, “what your language.” When Jesus walked into the wedding party in Cana three days into the festivities, people may have cheered, especially the bride and groom, by the time he left. After all, the wine had run dry and all that was left was water! Wedding parties in those days were 7 full days of joy – a wonderful symbol of creation - so you can imagine the groom’s embarrassment. Don’t worry! says Jesus’ Jewish mother, my son will take care of you. Sure enough on the third day the water is turned into wine – not so much because Jesus’ mom asked him, his answer to her was a rather curt reminder that all things have their own time, including his ministry. Miracles are not done on demand, even from a well-meaning mother.

Whatever. In the end, there was wine and not just a little; six water basins full of wine, around 180 gallons! You want wine? Well, here it is; do you think it’s enough? On the third day there is Abundance, Exuberance, Excess overflowing. Don’t you just love John’s symbols here? Seven days of creation – the wedding feast of joy. Wine – in ancient times, a symbol of life, health, prosperity, joy. All that wine overflowing on the third day; for those who have ears to hear, the day of resurrection; the day that begins the New Creation of joy, abundance, grace upon grace overflowing. It’s quite an occasion in Cana John has laid before us. But why?

Well, this is the season of Epiphany, the time of revelation when the true identity of Jesus is manifested. The Magi followed the star all the way to the source where the light of the world lay in a manager. Matthew tells us the infant adored at Christmas, whose name is Emmanuel – God with Us – has become the human Jesus in whom seekers sense the very presence of God. Luke tells us he steps into the muddy waters of the Jordan river, to be baptized with the host of fallen humanity, and as the sky rips open, is revealed as the Beloved Son of God. Now, John tells us on the third day he arrives a the wedding feast in Cana. Taken together, for those who listen carefully, the gospels give us an emerging description of who this Jesus truly is; certainly he is no stranger to ordinary life, yours and mine, including wedding parties.

We all have our wedding stories. I presided over one where a groomsman fainted during the wedding vows. At my own, a crystal punch bowl shattered, emptying hot wassail all over the Fellowship Hall floor to the utter horror of my mother. I doubt any wedding story can top the one of the couple in Cana. But is that all there is to the story in Cana; that Jesus came, saved the groom from embarrassment and got everyone liquored up for the last half of the party? What more does John intend to reveal about Jesus in this story?

Jesus is the one whose sole purpose is to fulfill God’s purpose. When his mother asks him to save the party – do a miracle – his initial response is brusque: “it’s none of my business. Now.” As if to say, I live by God’s time and when that time arrives I will do what I choose. When he does do what only he can do – turn sorrow into joy, sadness into gladness, water into wine – it has the power to create a living faith in those who believe. Here we have a glimpse, a foretaste of the what is to come, the sheer joy of God’s reign among us. At the great wedding feast which is our homecoming, there will be no sorrow or sadness, but joy uncorked, overflowing with praise. For now, for those who believe all these ordinary moments of human life may carry the fragrance of God among us.

Not everyone in Cana believes; they just want the wine. Nor does everyone believe now, but disciples do and that is what matters in the end. Then the question is, what shall I do in response to the one who is revealed? Which way shall I travel? Whom will I follow, now?

Tom Lane asked,

“If Jesus could transform common water into wine,

spit and dirt into new sight,

troubled sea into a pathway,

well water into living water

Could the living Christ

transform the waters of my life

shallow

murky

polluted

sour

into a shower of blessing?”

He understands that a miracle is a sign and signs are windows through which we see something else. Miracles point away from themselves, but we are usually mesmerized by them and want more. But, stopping at the miracle as if that were all there is, is like looking at window frame and missing the beauty through the glass. Miracles become problems when we depend upon them for faith.

When I look through the window of water into wine, I see One who lives among the ordinary events of my life, turning sadness into gladness, bringing life abundant to everyone who believes. When I look through the window of water into wine, I see Jesus doing what only God can do. In him I find life.

When you look through the window, what do you see?

To those of us who look through the window and see the living Christ, the question remains, which way shall I travel, today? Will I follow him?