The Abundant Love of Christ!

¹ On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you?^[a] My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ⁶ Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. ⁹ When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

In the Gospel of John, the first miracle Jesus performs is changing water into wine. In John’s gospel, the word sign is used instead of miracle. The idea is that the miraculous work of Jesus had a purpose: to point to God the Father as the source of his power. And to point to who he really is as the Son of God. There is so much good material and teaching in this simple story that I think it may take a small book to dive into it all. But don’t worry, I’ll try to stick to one or two points that I hope you will enjoy as well as find beneficial. Not to mention short! And remember, if the family in John’s story had not run out of wine, they would not have had the opportunity to see the grace of God in Jesus. It was the impending disaster of a ruined wedding that allowed them to see the grace of God in Jesus at work in their lives.

Let’s look at the water Jesus turned into wine. It was hardly purified spring water. It would not have been good to taste and certainly not good enough to be used in the celebration of a wedding. Instead, the water was for the guests to wash their hands. It was ceremonial water for cleaning oneself as a spiritual act. So, the water would have been considered unclean and unacceptable for a wedding ceremony to be blessed by God. This is the water Jesus uses to rescue the host from the public humiliation of running out of wine for their guest. Just as it is the difficult times in our own lives that help us see God working within us, maybe we should call this passage, Dirty Water Into Wine?

As with many other times in the Bible, we see God create something clean and beautiful from circumstances or people that we would consider unredeemable. Like the unclean water in the jars, we may see our own circumstances as unacceptable to ourselves and God. But it is good to be reminded that it is God who makes all things clean and circumstances we reject into times of salvation.

As I sit in my own circumstance of limited mobility and, yes, the fear of losing a limb, at times I have found it hard to find anything redeemable about this part of my life. I know that sounds a little whiny, but it is important to keep it real. Only then does the contrast of God’s love shine, not because of me, but in spite of me.

Because of this time, I have seen God’s love shine through His people. Because of this time, frivolous things that once seemed important have paled next to the love of God. Because of this time, I have learned anew the joy of counting blessings even in the shadows of life. I have had to put true hope, faith, and love into daily practice. I have learned anew what it is to put all my hope and dependence upon Christ my Lord.

Jesus made a sign in front of his disciples and a few servants so that they would know who he was. And because of what they saw and the people they told, we too have this story to lead us and guide us in our understanding of Jesus. He provides, in abundance, more than we will ever need, even in dark times.

When we are in need, let us remember that we worship a God who provides abundantly, for ourselves and for others whom we tell. The Lord we worship loves us and expects us to share the goodness that has been provided. 

Think about how God has provided for you, maybe in an unusual way. Then share the joy with someone who needs it. For everyone needs the joy of Christ in their life. And you may be just the person God is looking for to share his love and salvation.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Pastor Rick