I’ve been reading through John’s Gospel lately and I want to share with you some thoughts about when Jesus changes water into wine. What a great miracle that is, isn’t it?
The Bible says that people muttered about Jesus and had a go at him for eating and drinking at parties. They were looking for something more pious and religious from the Messiah, but religious and pious - that’s not Jesus at all.
Putting it as provocatively as I can, this story shows us a picture of God who turns up to people’s parties and says, “You don’t look like you’re really enjoying yourselves very much; here’s a bit more alcohol to be getting on with!”
Of course, I should balance that by flagging up the health warning in Ephesians 5 where it cautions Christians to drink in moderation. “Don’t get drunk on wine,” it says, “but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
John’s Gospel says that this was the first miracle Jesus ever did. It wasn’t a magic trick – in fact, John calls it a “sign” because it points to something important and significant about what God is like, who Jesus is and how we should see him.
In our culture, no one gets to attend a wedding unless they have a printed invitation and the whole event (marriage service and reception) lasts less than a day. But the Middle East in Bible times, anyone who wanted to come - even the entire village - could just turn up if they wanted to and wedding parties could last up to a week.
At this particular wedding, the bride and groom are in a major fix. They are fast running out of wine. Having insufficient food and drink for your guests would have been a great humiliation and a major embarrassment. It would have hung over them as a reproach for years afterwards.
I think this speaks into where many of us might be feeling right now. Running low, running down, running out. Are you, at this time, feeling like you’re running on empty? Maybe, because we’re unable to meet as normal, does your faith feel like it’s at a low ebb?
Perhaps the kids are driving you mad and your patience is in short supply. Or you can’t get an appointment at the doctors. Your morale is low. Are you thinking to yourself, "How long can I keep this up?"
Maybe you’re bothered about money; the present situation means you’re dipping into savings, or even starting to run up some debts?
Whatever it is, tell Jesus about it. Like Mary, she sees there’s a problem and she goes to Jesus and tells him. She’s a Jewish mother – my son will sort it out she thinks. So she taps him on the shoulder. “They have no more wine,” she says.
I love the way this story shows us how God works. The newlyweds - what do they have? Six water jars (“the type used for ceremonial washing”). Basically, they were used to clean dirty feet. If you’re looking to serve drinks for a wedding toast this is not the receptacle you need.
But it’s all they have. Six large jars and a tap. So they bring that to Jesus. They bring to Jesus what they have and they let him take care of the rest. “All right,” says Jesus, “fill them up.” They look at him. Is this a joke? No, they can see he is absolutely serious.
Faith is basically about doing what Jesus says. That’s the simplest way I know to say it. Obedience to God’s word doesn’t always seem like the most sensible option.
But they take him at his word and they step out in faith knowing that humanly speaking it is not going to resolve their problem. They need wine – and fast – so they fill the jars with up water. Jesus keeps a perfectly straight face and says, “All right, now serve it up to the master of ceremonies.”
Whoever did that, (my guess is that it’s probably the poor lad on Work Experience got landed with the job), they go up to the boss with a lump in their throat.
The man in charge has been around a bit and know how this works. He knows people always serve the really good stuff first and when the guests have had so much to drink that they can’t tell the difference, it’s time to open the cheap stuff.
He puts the cup to his lips. “This’ll be disgusting, like vinegar…” he thinks.
But as he sips it, it goes down round and full and fruity. It’s got body and character. It’s peculiarly rich and generous. It tastes expensive. This is undoubtedly the choicest vintage he’s ever tasted in his long career.
As you go into the next few days, especially if you’re running low on faith, low on joy, low on God’s provision, low on patience, low on encouragement… take the little you do have and bring it to Jesus.
Tell the Lord about what you lack. And however counterintuitive it seems, do whatever he tells you. And watch God take care of the rest; doing in your life far more than you could ever ask for or imagine. He’s a good, good Father and he loves to give good gifts to those who ask.
Let’s pray...
Short online talk for King's Church Darlington, 15 October 2020.
