Christ is made manifest in
miracles – and a little advice from His mother.
Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things
in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us
Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[2]
The word “Epiphany” means ‘manifestation.’ This implies that the Epiphany season manifests or marks the power of Jesus Christ for the good of all sorts of
people. These signs contained in the Scriptures continue to be for us a signal
of Jesus’ power – just as they were for Christ’s disciples and the 1st
Century believers. “They beheld His glory
and His disciples put their faith in Him.” (verse 11)
Why demonstrate such power?
Jesus does not turn water into wine simply to show off. Rather He will
demonstrate what His power accomplishes for people whom He loves. Certainly one
huge lesson in Jesus’ first miraculous sign, the turning of water into wine at
the wedding feast in Cana, is that He brings about remarkable changes in the
lives of people. This is something urgent for us to know about Jesus. Jesus
alone makes radical changes in the lives of the people for whom He loves.
As Jesus entered this world, He came into a family. And to a village. And to a job. And to sweat.
And to friends. And to prayers. And to toil. And to tears. And to laughter. The
events of Jesus’ life are just as normal and ordinary as your life’s
circumstances.
John gives us the account of Jesus’ life as it
happened. We can imagine it happening today as it occurred 2,000 years ago.
Jesus was invited to a wedding.
How many ‘save
the date’ post cards do you have on your fridge? Jesus lived a typical life. Very routine. Quite normal. We need not dismiss the miracle accounts of
the Scriptures because they occur under ordinary circumstances.
Because they occurred under ordinary circumstances, it
makes these miracle accounts plausible, possible, probable.
John begins our story as matter of fact. “Now there was a wedding which took place in
Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. And Jesus and His disciples were
invited to the wedding.”
I remember about fifteen/twenty years ago, a meeting
with the Tabea Society. One of the women asked me, “Pastor, what’s this business about marriage counseling? We didn’t have
anything like that when we got married!” Said, another, “That’s right. The only advice I was given
was if you had a fight – take a walk!” And without hesitation, another
said, “Yah. and in that first year, I
must have walked a thousand miles!”
Much advice is given to young person’s entering
marriage. Some good. Others not. But of
all the advice one could receive whether you are young or old; newly engaged or
married over 70 years – these words are golden – invite Jesus in – This
nameless, faceless, couple invited Jesus to their wedding. May Jesus be the
ever-present yet unseen guest in every home.
John continues. When
the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine!”
“They have no more wine.” It wasn’t as if this family didn’t plan. It wasn’t as
if they had little regard for their guests. They considered their guests. They
planned ahead. They concerned them.
Still. The wine was gone! We live
in a broken world outside of Eden.
Every couple. Every family. Every household. Has their
own set of unique circumstances. Life happens. What challenges are in your
road? It might be financial. It might be a special needs child. It might be a
chronic illness. Or a persistent hardship. It’s an irritation. That won’t go
away. It lingers. It can fester.
Mary is consistent. She tells Jesus her problem. She “takes it to the Lord in prayer.” And
Jesus’ response sounds almost disrespectful. “Woman. Why are you saying this to me?” Why are you saying this to Jesus? Why trouble
the Master? Because your need is
great…
Like Mary, turn to Jesus, and "do what He says". When they had no
more wine, she turned to Jesus. When you have issues. Where there are
challenges. When you are in trouble.
What do you do? Turn to Jesus. Do as He says. Jesus has given you His Word.
That He will never leave you. And never forsake you.
He has given you His Word of promise. "I am with you always!" There
can be no better advice then to follow the words of May. As the Nike commercial
suggests. Whatever Jesus says - "just
do it!"
He richly and daily provides for all, which you need
to support your body and life. He encourages you to pray only for what you need
in the 4thpetition of the Lord’s Prayer. Daily
bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the
body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money,
goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and
faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control.
Good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.[3]
Daily Jesus provides.
This water.
Turned into wine. It is the best. The master of ceremonies, not knowing
where the wine had come from, says to the groom, "you have saved the better until now." Jesus
gives only the best. He is the miracle worker. He chooses to give
you only the best at the cross and empty tomb. When He suffered and died to bring
salvation. If He has done this for you. Will He not also give you exactly what
you need? Jesus can do none other.
He only knows to give in abundance. He only knows to give the best. This
is how He chooses to deal with you. He
gives you His best. He gives you Himself. That is His promise to you. Today,
tomorrow, forever!
The purpose of the miracle -" the disciples put their faith in Him."
This is the reason why Jesus delivers only the best. He does this so that we
will put our faith and trust in Him. Daily He calls you to trust and follow
Him. He has guaranteed that He will help. He can do none other. Trust Jesus
today. Honor Him. Serve Him. Follow Him.
John concludes by saying that this was only the first
of Jesus' many miracles in which He manifested His glory. Miracles
continue to this day. Day by day, He works His will in your life. So
that you can know, that Jesus truly is your Savior, Redeemer, Jesus will
continue to manifest Himself in your life. This you can bank on. Christ, the
author of all happiness, still works in the lives of people. He was present in
the life of Mary, the disciples, this couple and especially in your life. Today
is the day for a miracle! Where is this
miracle to be found? His miracles are
found in certain places. Where He manifests His glory. So that you place your
confidence in Him.
[1]
The Wedding at Cana © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]
Collect for Epiphany 2, Lutheran Service
Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Luther’s
Small Catechism, 4th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer © 2008 Concordia
Publishing House, St. Louis
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