When reading a text for the first time, I usually find myself
asking lots of questions. This is often helpful for discovering what the text
is not about. If the question is not answerable, then the author probably
did not think it was important. An example in this passage is the absence
of Mary’s name. No where in John’s gospel does he tell us Jesus’
mother’s name. She is just “Jesus’ mother.” Jesus
doesn’t even call her mother, just “woman.” It would seem
that for John, the mother of Jesus is only significant in that she is Jesus’
mother. We don’t need to know anything more about her, so he doesn’t
distract with unnecessary information.
It is also significant that we are not told of the bridegroom’s
or wedding guest’s reaction to the changing of the water to wine. The
master of the banquet is surprised that the better wine is used later in the
celebration, but he does not know where the wine came from. The only reaction
we get is from the disciples.
Though there are several things the text does not tell us, it
actually tells us a great number of details concerning the miracle. We are
told that the servants follow Jesus’ directions to fill the six stone
jars with water. These jars were for ceremonial washing during the wedding
festivities. There are six of these stone jars which hold twenty to thirty
gallons. We are told that the servants fill the jars to the brim. The wedding
reception went from being out of wine to having over 120 gallons of wine!
We also are told that the wine that was made was not just run of the mill
cheap wine, it was fine wine.
As a result of this sign or miracle, Jesus’ newly called
disciples put their faith in Him. Miracles in John’s gospel are called
signs, and their purpose is to show who Jesus is, to show his glory. The disciples
have an epiphany when they see Jesus change water into wine.
The obvious need in this passage is shortage of wine for the
wedding guests. To run out of food or wine at a feast would be an incredible
embarrassment for the family, but this is not the deep need this passage addresses.
This text reveals humanity’s need for God and how God
is the only one able to fill that need. Jesus—God with us, the Incarnation—begins
to reveal himself. Jesus begins His ministry of miraculous transformations.
The wedding guests, however, are not privy to this revelation through the
miracle, just His new disciples. They respond by putting their faith in Him.
All of humanity needs to know who Jesus is. Despite the invitation
to the wedding—Jesus was most likely, at least, an acquaintance of the
family—those at the wedding did not really know who He was. Even His
mother, also present at the wedding and aware of Jesus’ connection with
God, could not have possibly truly known who and what Jesus was about. The
disciples, although agreeing to follow Jesus, fail to understand who Jesus
was and they are oblivious about the role of the Messiah. Jesus takes this
moment to help His friends and to begin showing the world who He is and who
God is.
Jesus begins to reveal His glory—to the glory of God.
His glory—ultimately revealed in His death and resurrection—is
shown through the changing of water into wine. The purpose of the miraculous
sign is not just to help save the wedding celebration, it is to show the world
God’s answer to life; to show the world what His salvation looks like.
The need is Jesus and the answer is Jesus, and so Jesus is revealed in the
changing of the water to wine.
The prophets Joel and Amos both use the image of new wine flowing
freely as images of the Eschaton. Jesus’ making of wine from water in
such great abundance and of such high quality is a fulfillment of Old Testament
prophecy concerning God’s work in the world. In even the simplest of
things—wine for a wedding—God’s concern, care, and quality
of wholeness can not be missed. To know and follow Jesus, even through future
suffering, is sustained by the bedrock of who He is: Immanuel.
There seems to be three responses to this revelation of who
Jesus is. The master of the banquet presumes that the bridegroom has had the
whole thing planned well before the beginning of the feast. He meant to save
the best wine for the end. While this is unusual, it is no way miraculous.
The master of the banquet misses the point. Likewise the guests, and the hosts
for that matter, never realize that anything different has occurred. They
lack a reaction and merely continue on as they were before—unaware of
the problem and the solution. A few, however, are aware of the problem. Mary,
who turns to her son for a solution, is aware that the bridegroom is near
embarrassment as the stock of wine dwindles. The servants, those not even
normally noticed, are aware of the situation and obey Jesus’ commands.
John does not record a response from Mary or the servants. Only the disciples
realize that something remarkable has happened and respond. The disciples
get it—they see the glory that is reveled in Jesus through this sign.
We have a choice in how we respond to Jesus. Do we go on with
things as though nothing remarkable has happened? Do we choose to see who
Christ is or are we unable to see? Do we do as Jesus’ disciples did—see
His glory revealed to us and put our faith in Him?
(For a complete manuscript
of this sermon, go to www.preachersmagazine.org.)
This passage is a great one to use when wanting to draw attention
to the season of Epiphany. Jesus shows us who He really is—He reveals
His glory in this passage. It is a story of God’s manifestation in the
world. Jesus’ humanity and divinity are beautifully showcased. The preacher
has the opportunity to remind his or her congregation of who Jesus is and
why we serve Him. Why it is that we place our faith in this man who walked
the earth 2,000 years ago?
In this, Jesus’ first miracle, we see the initial glimpse His followers had of who He is and what He came to do: to give abundant life. In this passage, God’s grace was more than sufficient (just enough). Jesus provided in a bigger and better way than could have ever been imagined. This is what God wants to do for all who put their faith in Him: Give abundant life.
