Loving God, you reveal yourself in so many different ways, and yet we see you most clearly through your Son, Jesus.  Help us to continue to learn from him and to experience your abundant life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    For many people, it would seem that today’s gospel poses a bit of a puzzle.  Those who want to rage against the evils of alcohol don’t find it very helpful.  People puzzle over what seems like a rather harsh response from Jesus to his mother.  Some people are probably horrified by the thought that Jesus might have actually danced at a wedding.  And still others simply can’t grasp why Jesus would choose to turn water into wine.  If you were Jesus, why would you make this your first “sign”?

    To begin with, a few explanatory notes might be helpful.  First off, we need to keep in mind that there was not necessarily an abundance of safe drinking water in those days.  Wine was a far healthier choice in many respects, and would have been a “given” for any wedding celebration.  As weddings generally lasted for seven days, it would be no small thing if the wine ran out only a few days into the celebration.

    Secondly, what seems to us like a rather strange response from Jesus is not at all disrespectful.  We can tell from other, similarly worded passages that this is simply a Hebrew way of speaking.  Jesus is basically telling his mother, “Don’t worry about it.  It will be looked after.”  We can also tell from Mary’s response that she doesn’t take any offense.  Instead, she goes to the servants and instructs them to just do whatever Jesus tells them, and all will be well.

    As for turning water into wine, there is some deeper meaning behind this particular sign.  For one thing, the prophets had written about the time when the Messiah would come, and they used images of abundant wine.  Amos, for example, writes about the time when a descendant of David will once again reign as king, and he uses the image of mountains dripping with sweet wine and the hills flowing with it (Am. 9:13).  At least some people would have thought, “Ah - lots of wine - could this man be the Messiah?”

    At the same time, it soon becomes clear that God’s creative power is at work through Jesus.  The gospel of John begins by speaking about Jesus as “the Word” and talks about all things being created through him.  Surely the power to take water and to turn it into wine is not beyond the Creator of the Universe!  And so, God’s creative power and God’s glory are seen through Jesus Christ.

    Yet, we are not looking only for understanding as we gather together today, but also for how all of this applies to us.  As with any gospel, there is a message there for us, and we strive to listen for God’s word to us.

    In this case, there is an emptiness and a need and a lack that gets filled to overflowing.  We really don’t need to look very far to find such emptiness and need, whether in our own lives or in the world around us.  So many people around the world are aware of the desperate need in Haiti right now, even as there are others around the world who live in need each and every day.  Still others might have all that they need, materially speaking, but are desperate to fill the emptiness that they feel inside.  Whatever the need or the emptiness or the lack that we experience in our lives, the mother of Jesus comes to us and says, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:5).

    In the gospel, the transformation is unmistakable.  Six huge stone water jars start out empty and are soon filled to the brim with the best wine imaginable.  It is a picture of overflowing blessing and of the abundance that comes only from God.  It is a picture of the transformation that God would like to work in the heart of every person who comes to believe in Jesus Christ.

    When we do as Jesus says, our hearts do not remain empty.  Instead, they are filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, who is just like rivers of living water flowing from the hearts of believers (Jn. 7:38).  Living in love for God and for the people around us does not leave our hearts empty.  Instead, that same love of God fills our hearts and begins to direct us in all that we say and do.

    At the same time, doing what Jesus tells us also addresses our basic needs.  Do you remember that passage in Matthew where Jesus tells people not to worry about what they will eat or drink or what they will wear?  The key verse in that passage says, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt. 6:33).  

    Still, people wonder about how this works.  How does this work for people in Haiti?  How does this work for people living on the street?  How does this work for people who don’t have enough to eat and drink?  The answer is to be found in the body of Christ.  You see, those who believe in Jesus do not live in isolation from one another.  Rather, those who put their trust in Jesus Christ are part of a community of believers where each one offers their gifts to the glory of God and in the service of others.

    Those who seek God’s kingdom and God’s way above all else do not lack food and clothing and their basic needs.  They do not lack, because part of living in God’s way is for each person to offer their gifts and to share with one another.  Even in Haiti right now, as horrible as it is, people can put their trust in God and do what they can to help one another, or they can turn to lawlessness and selfishness.  At the same time, the wider Christian community and many others around the world have seen the need and are sharing whatever they can.  Jesus’ teaching remains true: “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

    There is one other passage that calls for our attention in this respect.  From Luke, chapter 6: “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Lk. 6:38).  When we give of what we have, no matter how little we have, it does come back to us.  Do as Jesus tells you, and all will be well.  Do as Jesus tells you, and whatever lack or emptiness is there will be filled to overflowing.

    Our God is a God of abundance who creates and gives the very best.  On the other hand, it is human ‘greeds’ that create human needs.  It is human sinfulness that gets in the way.  However, that same sinfulness was nailed to the cross with Jesus and has lost its power for all those who put their trust in him.

    Today, and all days, may we be among those who further the presence of Christ in our world and who live out of God’s abundance rather than out of our own poverty.  May we be among those who do seek God’s kingdom above all else and who discover that all that is needed really is provided.  May we be among those who do as Jesus tells us and thus discover the life and the abundance that is to be found only in him.  Amen.

Epiphany 2(C)                                John 2:1-11
January 17, 2010
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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