John
2:1-11
Just
for the Hell of It
I always look back through old
sermons. On previous Sundays with these
appointed lessons, I chose to deal with the I Corinthians reading. Not sure why.
I don’t have any reason to avoid John 2.
I do wonder if among the reasons is the repeated opportunities I have
had to speak to the story of water into wine at weddings. This story often becomes a favorite, easily
remembered, or one we like to hear as couples come before the Church to hear
the promises of God upon their union.
John 2: memorable for a couple of reasons; helpful on
so many levels.
These events do take place at a
wedding. Mary, the mother of Jesus is
active in this story – unlike her passive participation in the stories retold
in Luke’s account or her complete silence in the events recorded in Matthew. Here, Mary is active and an actor in the
revealing of her son’s identity and role.
This story is also significant in that the events recorded here are put
in proper perspective by noting that they are the first (but only the first) of
Jesus’ signs.
In a sermon a few months ago, I
spoke of what happened in the reading as a “miracle.” Pastor Jon reminded me that while we tend to
call them “miracles,” the descriptive word used in the Bible is “signs.” Miracles – signs. Perhaps only a slight difference, but perhaps
a significant one. These things which
Jesus does should not be confused with a slight of hand or a ripping apart the
laws of nature. The Bible teaches us
that these are events in which we are allowed to see something which we need to
know. These are occurrences which serve
as a sign. They are “signs” of God – of God’s presence, of God’s love, of God’s
grace, of God’s intentions toward us.
In Galilee, at a wedding in Cana,
one such sign occurs. And in this sign
there is the opportunity to see and experience God’s presence, God’s love,
God’s grace, God’s intentions toward us.
You know the story. It has been read to you once again this
morning. What does this, the first of
Jesus’ signs, tell you about God’s presence, God’s love, God’s grace, and God’s
intentions toward us?
It is tough to regain control when
a preacher asks and open ended question and begs for responses. So let’s do that thing where you turn to
someone near you and share your answer. What does this, the first of Jesus’ signs,
tell you about God’s presence, God’s love, God’s grace, and God’s intentions
toward us?
Turn and speak to someone near you.
I have a funny story about this
reading. Zach Parris retold the story to
the students gathered over New Years in Memphis, and also put it on the
podcast. Some twenty years ago, an LCM
couple picked this lesson for their wedding, and in my sermon that day I
offended some of their more straight-laced guests. I apologize in advance for committing the
same transgression today. But when I
think of what this sign, performed by Jesus at the wedding in Cana, tells me –
it tells me that God is deeply concerned with the living of a happy and joy
filled life. This sign does not allow
someone who cannot see to regain their sight.
This sign does not feed 5,000 hungry people stranded in a lonely
place. This sign – allows the wedding
party to continue and the host of the party to avoid social humiliation. Many of the signs associated with Jesus meet
profound human need. This sign (and here
comes the offensive phrase) Jesus does just for the hell of it.
What a wonderful and powerful first
sign. Right away it sets the stage for
what Messiah is to do. This, the first
of his signs, communicates the reason for each of his signs. This signs reveal the assurance God’s
presence; they make known the depth of God’s love; they are expressions of
God’s grace, and they make crystal clear God’s intentions toward us.
God does not want or demand
quivering lumps of rotting flesh! God
seeks children who can find as much joy and pleasure and beauty in the creation
as He does. In Jesus (but not only in
Jesus,) God sets aside any concern about the heavens and makes earth His
dwelling place. God does not want or
demand quivering lumps of rotting flesh!
God seeks children who can find as much joy and pleasure and beauty in
the creation as He does.
Here is your word for the day: Incarnation.
Say it with me: Incarnation.
Earlier this week, and I am not
going to remember where, someone was struggling to remember this word –
Incarnation. It means God taking on our
form and our lot and being one of us.
Christians do not worship a heavenly being. Our God takes on our form and lives as one of
us. No physicist or philosopher will be
able to explain how it happens, but every Christian Theologian will teach that
it does. It is the full and final
expression of God’s presence, God’s love, God’s grace, and God’s intentions
toward us. Out of love for us, God
creates us, places in the Garden of Eden, and continues to provide for us from
the earth’s plenty even after we transgress.
God is not some angry, vengeful,
demanding master! God is loving and
caring. God’s fight against sin and
sinfulness and living in sin is a desire to have us united with God. This is also a battle God wages because God
knows how sin and sinfulness separates us from one another; in truth, how sin
separates us from ourselves.
Jesus loves me, this I know. I know it for many reasons, and today I am
reminded by the retelling of the story of the first of the signs Jesus
does. Merely to keep the party going,
Jesus changes water into wine. Simply to
help his host avoid social embarrassment, Jesus takes action.
What does this, the first of Jesus’
signs, tell you about God’s presence, God’s love, God’s grace, and God’s
intentions toward us?
My hope and prayer and intention in
this sermon is that it tells you that God loves you and that God cares for you
and that God provides for you and that God wants for you a joyful and joy
filled life.
This is the word of God. For the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Amen.
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