Epiphany 2
1.17.2016
John 2:1-11
Christ is made manifest in miracles – and a little
advice from His mother
Three days into the New Year,
someone asked me, “So, how many weddings
you have this year?” People want to know. Because weddings are huge!
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 make 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 ladies
asked me, “Pastor, what 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, “Ya,
and in that first year, I must have walked a thousand miles!”
Much advice is given to young
person’s entering marriage. 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!
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!"
Jesus gives in abundance. Jesus commands the servants - take
six stone water pots, containing twenty to thirty galleons each, fill them to
the brim. Then take some to the master of ceremonies. How much wine? 120-180 gallons! Translation? Jesus does not give you leftovers. He
provides in abundance.
He richly and daily provides for all, which you need to
support your body and life. He encourages you to prayer 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.[1]
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, Friend. 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.
____________________
Words- 1,075
Passive Sentences –2%
Readability – 79%
Reading Level-4.0
[1] Luther’s
Small Catechism, 4th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer © 2008 Concordia
Publishing House, St. Louis
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