Did you ever wonder why in the Gospel of John Jesus’ first miraculous event is at a wedding and only a select few were aware it even happened? Jesus had just extended an invitation to his disciples to “Come and see.” And the next thing that they are witnessing is water being turned into wine. Can you imagine what they were thinking? Maybe Nathaniel would ask, “Hey Phillip, you called me away from my life and work for this?” Or maybe he would ask Jesus, “Hey, you told me that I would see greater things than you knowing that I was sitting under a fig tree – you said I would see heaven open? Is this all the kingdom has to offer?”
What was John trying to say? First he called the changing of the water into wine a miraculous sign; not a miracle. Many times in the church we use the things of everyday to point to deeper theological truths. The sacraments would be an example of this. If we sit at our dinner tables and eat bread and juice it really does not have any theological meaning. However, when Christ is present around the elements, they are no longer just bread and juice but they become a sacrament that reminds each of us of the grace that God pours out on us continually. So it was with this story. It is not merely a story of a wedding gone wrong, but it is a story of God’s grace when Jesus Christ is present. But what deeper theological truth is this story pointing us to?
As we consider the entire story, what was it revealing to the disciples and to us as well? First and foremost, at its foundation, the story speaks of the transformative power of God. Jesus was able to change water into wine. It is striking that there was so much wine. I realize that a wedding was a town-event and there were many people. But Jesus provided 100 gallons of wine minimum. That is a lot of wine especially considering the wedding had gone on for so long a time that they were able to drink all the wine already provided. Could it be that Jesus’ actions points to the abundance of God’s kingdom? Further, the wine steward remarks that not only was there an abundance of wine, it was the best wine. At a time when the cheap wine would do, God provided the very best. Could it be that Jesus’ actions pointed to the extravagance of God’s kingdom? Lastly, think about what was going to happen if the wine had completely run out. Think of time when you were at a wedding celebration and imagine that all of sudden the food and drink had run out. The celebration would have deflated. Jesus brought new life to that wedding feast in Canaan.
So maybe, this simple miracle wasn’t such a simple miracle after all. Maybe Jesus was teaching his first experiential lesson to his disciples. Come and see the Kingdom of God not only with your eyes but with your entire being he says through his actions. You will experience transformation, abundance, extravagance and new life. Jesus invites us to experience these things as well if he is present in our lives.
Jess, I will try this again. It seems to me people pray for a certain miracle. I wonder it that limits the miracle. What the disciples were finding out was how big and unfathomable God's plans and miracles were. They were limited as I think we are by our human expectation. Ellen Logan
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