Jesus Uncovers Delight
John 2:1-11 (NIV)
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
May you have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ so that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God, dear people loved by Jesus,
CHRISTIAN LIFE CAN BE DELIGHTFUL
Today, more than half of the people in America will not worship God, and the biggest reason that I’ve encountered for that is not because of some difficult problem with Christian teaching. Most people who I’ve talked to their biggest objection isn’t that Christianity is unreasonable. Most people simply think Christianity is no fun. The college student who sleeps in on Sunday often does so because that seems more fun. The family who spends every weekend at the cabin skips church because church doesn’t fit into “the good life.” It even affects you and me. Many Christians think the good life and the godly life are two separate paths and never the twain shall meet.
There’s a certain truth to that. Jesus has plenty to say about suffering, about “carrying your cross.” Jesus is good at wiping away tears and standing with the sorrowful, but Epiphany season is about “ah-ha” moments when we learn something new about Jesus. That’s why our sermon series is called “Uncovered” because God is revealing new truths about Jesus. Today the truth we uncover is that life with Jesus is delightful!
Did you notice that he did not start his ministry at a funeral or crouching next to a blind man? Jesus set the tone for his ministry at a wedding. “1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” (John 2:1-2) A wedding was the perfect place for Jesus to uncover just how delightful it is to live with him.
JESUS DELIGHTED A WEDDING
This happened in Galilee where Jesus was raised. It’s not surprising to find out the Mary, Jesus mother was there. Mary even knew that they were running out of wine, so maybe she was a friend of the bride and groom helping them serve the feast. Of course, the bride and groom were also there. In Jesus’ day, a groom and his groomsmen would start at his house getting all kinds of supplies ready for a party, then they travel to the bride’s house where they’d meet the bride and her bridesmaids to lead them in a procession through town. They ended back at his house where there was a big party for multiple days. This groom didn’t stockpile enough wine for his party. But he did invite Jesus. Jesus did not come alone. Three days earlier he had called some fishermen to follow him. Andrew, Peter, James John, Philip and Nathanael had just recently become Jesus’ full-time students. When Jesus called them he promised they would see amazing things and he wasn’t kidding! At this wedding they would learn just how delightful Jesus is!
Mary and the groom and the disciples, can you imagine what they talked about on their way home from the wedding? Jesus uncovered delight for them, and we can learn from their story.
MARY TOOK A SMALL PROBLM TO JESUS
Mary was the first one to realize the wedding problem. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” (John 2:3) When Mary saw a problem, she took it to Jesus. Can you imagine hosting a party, promising everyone dinner, and then ten minutes into dinner you have to go up to the mic, “Excuse me. Can I have your attention? There’s no more food.” Oof. I’m getting nervous just thinking about that announcement! Running out of wine would be embarrassing for a young couple, but honestly, it’s not a life or death situation. Compared to raising someone from the dead, or saving the world, extending a party is not a huge issue, and yet Mary goes to Jesus. She knew who he was. She remembered when an angel announced to her that the child born to her would be the Son of God. If anybody could help, Jesus could. But she also knew his heart. Saving a party was not beneath him. Mary saw a problem and she went to the one who was able and willing to help.
We can learn from Mary. Maybe the problem you’re facing isn’t life or death. Maybe it’s small potatoes compared to what some people are dealing with. Well you know who Jesus is, and you know his heart. Nothing is too hard for him and nothing is too small for him. See a problem, take it to Jesus.
MARY’S TIMELINE WAS DIFFERENT FROM JESUS’
But it seems something was just a little bit off with the way Mary was thinking. “Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:3-4) One commentator said Jesus’ mother did a little mothering. “Son, you know what to do. So do it.” Turns out Jesus timing was just a little different from Mary’s. Jesus’ answer sounds harsher in English than it did in his language. There’s no disrespect in his answer. He’s respectfully letting her know that his timeline is different from hers.
Have you ever been there, where your problems, little ones and big ones, start to weigh on you and your burdens are getting a bit too heavy to carry much longer? Jesus, would you take this from me, and would you do it, like, NOW please? Jesus, I know you care about my sickness, and I know you are able to help, so would you heal me now? Jesus I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck to paycheck to paycheck and you could do something about this. Would you do it now? Jesus this temptation is wearing me down. Every day, it’s getting harder to live for you. Would you step in, and help soon? Often Jesus is working with a different timeline from ours.
MARY TOLD SERVANTS TO DO WHATEVER JESUS SAID
When Jesus time was different from Mary’s what did she do? 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5) I wonder how many times Mary had experienced this before. Enough times to trust his timing was better than hers! When he’s ready to act, he will. Until then, do whatever he says. What do you do when Jesus isn’t helping you as quickly as you wish he would? You do whatever he says. You cling to his word, just like he told you. You keep on praying, just like he told you. Keep loving others, just like he told you. In the end, you know how that worked out for Mary.
I wonder what she talked about on her way home from that wedding. I’ll be it included the word, “Wow,” and probably a big old smile too. Because of Jesus, her day was delightful.
THE BRIDEGROOM GOT CREDIT FOR JESUS’ MIRACLE
It was the same for the bridegroom, and we can learn from him too. His day was about to be a royal embarrassment. Ancient weddings were like the center of social life for the whole town. His wedding was about to go down in Cana history as the most disastrous ever. His worst decision was not getting enough wine. And his best decision was inviting Jesus!
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:6-9)
When Jesus makes wine, he really makes wine! Six stone jars of wine would be about 900 bottles! And the master of the banquet, he would be like a sommelier with the most refined palate in the room, he said it was the best wine! Because of Jesus, this party could go for a few more days, like a good ancient wedding should. And Jesus did it all in secret. Who did the master of the banquet approach? The bridegroom! Oh this guy’s wedding went down in Cana history alright, not as the most disastrous, but as the most delightful! I don’t know what this groom thought as he fell asleep that night, but I bet it included the word, “Wow!” and a big smile.
Isn’t that just like Jesus? He does something amazing and lets all the benefit go to someone who doesn’t deserve it. What else would you expect from the man who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many? That Jesus lived an immaculate life, he died an innocent death, and rose victoriously from the grave. And when the Lord of life comes looking for someone to congratulate, who does he approach? You. Isn’t that delightful?
DISCIPLES PUT THEIR FAITH IN JESUS
We can learn from the disciples too. Three days earlier Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip and Nathanael had been just living their life; wake up, fish, eat, sleep, repeat. Then Jesus shows up. He said, “Follow me,” and they did. He promised they would see amazing things. Do you think they wondered what their new life would be like? What will life with Jesus be? They were still figuring it out, when Jesus took them to a wedding—the best wedding of all time, with the tastiest wine overflowing. This is what life with Jesus is like, it’s joy, it’s laughter, it’s family reunion, it’s fun, it’s delightful. It’s no coincidence that Jesus begins with a wedding feast—he was making a promise to his disciples and they got the message. 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)
They may have doubted that life with Jesus is delightful, when they saw him suffer, or when they suffered along with him. Those are the realities of what it’s like to walk with Jesus on earth. But in the end, Jesus will keep his promise. Listen to what Jesus has promised for all his faithful people. The Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. (Isaiah 25:6)
That’s what life with Jesus is like. And here on earth you get little foretastes of it. When you laugh so hard you start to cry, it’s a foretaste of heavenly joy. When you eat something that makes you close your eyes so you can taste it better, that’s a foretaste. When you need a friend, and God provides one, that’s a foretaste. There are plenty of difficulties on earth, and you’ve got crosses to bear on the journey home. But don’t forget where you’re headed—to a banquet that will put Cana to shame. So when you do experience something delightful, just like Jesus’ disciples, put your trust in him.
At times the Christian life can feel like a dreary walk to the grave. But the Holy Spirit put this story in the Bible to uncover a beautiful truth about life with Jesus. It is delightful, and it will be for eternity.
Amen.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.