Musical Prelude and Service.

John 2:1-12
How often are we aware of the miracles that are occurring around us?
How often do we miss the signs of God’s abundant love and transforming power that are at work in and around us?
I am sincere in this question. I spent some time trying to come up with an example of this, and honestly, I struggled. Certainly, to find one I could present here without possibly betraying confidentiality or telling someone else’s story. Quite often these miracles happen without the news or the awareness of what is happening being shared. Or we fail to see these things for wat they are.
The Gospel of John tells a series of stories that are rich in meaning and can be approached from a great many angles. They are rich in meaning and metaphor, which is wonderful in some ways, but also a challenge when it comes time to spend a little bit of time mediating on in public.
Jesus and his still small group of disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana. His mother is also invited. While they are there, Mary is made aware that the supply of wine is getting low.
Let’s stop there for a moment and offer a bit of context: First century weddings in that part of the world were long drawn-out affairs, full of food and wine. A wedding feast was expected to last up to seven days. The supply of shall we call them party supplies, wine, food etc., was the responsibility of the groom. The circle of family and friends of the groom would generally be expected to provide gifts of needed resources such as wine.
For a groom to run out of wine, thus bringing the feast to a premature end, would be considered a very real loss of honour. For one thing, it would suggest that the groom had very few friends.
So, it is quite possible, in fact some scholars will suggest that Jesus as an invitee to this wedding would have been expected to contribute to the supply of wine.
So, Mary, who apparently is plugged in to the availability of the wine, approaches Jesus to tell him of the pending disaster. “Woman. What concern is that to you and to me?”
I can’t begin to tell you how much ink has been spilled over the centuries contemplating what is going on in this exchange. How can we explain away such apparent rudeness on Jesus’s part in dismissing his mother, whom scripture has commanded he honour.
I don’t want to spend a great deal of time on that subject. I imagine Jesus, getting ready to begin his ministry taking time to relax and enjoy a feast and celebration when all of a sudden his mother is challenging him to do something to help out in a very difficult situation. He would also quickly realize that once he shows people who he really is, he won’t be able to turn back. And so, he performs this miracle, transforming water, poured fresh into stone vessels into the very best wine.
And it is not a mere couple of bottles of wine. Scholars estimate that each of these stone containers for water would hold between 20 and 30 gallons. So those scholars presume that John is suggesting somewhere between 120 and 180 gallons of wine was provided.
So why is Jesus and his mother so invested in keeping this wedding celebration going? What is John trying to tell us with this story? This is Jesus’s first miracle, or sign, as John refers to these moments.
John provides us with a number of stories that describe who Jesus is in a number of different ways; describing Jesus in terms related to something we experience and or need in our lives. And so Jesus
calls himself the Good Shepherd; the bread of life, the way, the truth and the life, the true vine, the door, the light of the world. He tells the woman at the well that he offers living water.
Jesus is constantly using these lessons – these signs, to help people develop an understanding of who he is. So with that in mind, what is he through his actions telling those around him about who he is and what he offers?
Wine is a crucial part of life for the people of Judea and the surrounding area. Throughout Jewish scripture, wine is used as a sign of the joyous arrival of God’s new age. Wedding banquets keep showing up in the banquets as a descriptor of God’s kingdom. An ancient Rabbi is quoted as saying that without wine there is no joy. We could simply look at this story and see it as John telling us that Jesus brings with him and abundance of Joy.
I am also increasingly aware as I reflect on this story, is the importance of Mary. Mary is fully aware of what is happening at this feast. I can’t help but think that she is far more than a simple guest to this celebration. She knows the wine is running low. And she knows her son can help out.
She lets Jesus know, listens as he questions his need to act, and then simply tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do and moves on.
Mary doesn’t beg or bargain or pester. She simply names the problem and leaves things with Jesus. Mary has faith that Jesus will listen and do something.
At the beginning of this reflection, I asked how often we are aware of the miraculous transformations that are so often happening around us. The steward tastes the wine and commends the groom on the quality of wine available. Neither of these people who are supposedly in control of what is going on are aware of what has happened behind the scenes. The only ones who know what Jesus said and did are the servants.
The people who so often are at work are largely invisible. They witness Jesus at work. They see the transformative and care of Jesus in their midst.
I came across some writing by John Wesley in my research. A particular statement of his stood out amidst all he had to say. “Christ does not take away human society but sanctifies it.”
No matter what we do or how we organize, we can make a mess of things. We can spend time planning or fail to plan at all, and leave ourselves on the brink of disaster and people forced to go without. In the midst of it all, Jesus shows up, blesses our space and ensures we have an abundance of what we need – If we are prepared to open our eyes, open our senses and celebrate what we have been offered.
We are still in the season of Epiphany. We are reflecting on how Jeus appears to us.
Who is the Christ we see before us?
How do we see Jesus as he prepares to set forth on his ministry?
He does not let this celebration of a new life for a bride and groom come to an embarrassing and awkward end. He looks about at a time of joy and hope and he says, don’t stop. Invite more people to join and carry on singing and dancing. Enjoy what you have.
What concern is that to you and to me?
Why should I care if they run out of wine?
Why should I care if this feast must end early?
Why should I care if the groom is humiliated?
Well, as much as Jesus may ask this question; we know they answer. Jesus does care. It is Jesus’ concern. Jesus wants the party to go on. Jesus wants the dancing, singing and joy to carry on.
Jesus wishes us to live with joy. Jesus offers us a life of hope.
And Jesus supplies us with an abundance of life and the promise of joy.
So, may our senses be open to witnessing the abundance of miracles, the multitude of signs of the work God is constantly doing in our presence. May we be witness to and recognize the signs of life and promise, the abundant hope that we can turn to and celebrate that are always there.
It is my prayer that we can witness the birth and the new life and the work of resurrection that is always a part of our world.
And may we be open and ready to celebrate and sing praises and dance for joy and say as one; thanks be to God. Amen
Rev. Warner Bloomfield

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789