Zach and Carlie’s Wedding, who Invite Jesus to their Wedding
John makes us guests also as we gather for this most intimate and festive setting, a very grand
and ancient Jewish wedding. All was going along swimmingly, when suddenly . . . how did this ever get messed up! In all the busyness and all the details, and it might not even have been noticed yet, but horror of horrors, somehow they’ve run out of wine!
Mary makes her observation known to Jesus. That simple statement was all she said, but it was
profound in its simplicity and loaded. Not only is she showing compassion for the obvious social disaster that’s just happened, but note this: she makes no direct request upon Jesus. What is this? This is Mary displaying her confidence that her Son is actually already in command of the situation. In typical rabbinic style, Jesus answers her question with another question, ‘Dear woman, what is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.’ But Mary is unflinching in this seemingly disinterested and bland reply. It was a test.
It was all a test to Mary, to the disciples, to the servants, and to us. Yes, it was true; this moment is not that prophetic ‘hour’ when he would die on the Cross as the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world. So in comparison, is this wedding just a mundane moment and beyond the scope, and not important enough, for his mission? Is it worthy of Jesus’ time to even be involved in this?
The answer is Yes! Mary’s response to Jesus’ question shows she knows precisely what he
meant, even if we don’t. This is Mary, to whom the angel Gabriel declared, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” [Luke 1:37], who stepped in the situation, someone’s got to, and called the stressed-out servants to ‘Do exactly what he tells you.’
There were six stone water pots there for clean-up at the end, each holding 18-27 gallons, a
combined capacity of roughly 150 gallons. But why would Jesus call them to be filled to the brim now? Yet they obeyed. Next he said, “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.” We can only image the craziness of this moment, but the servants did it all and kept it all to themselves. But now, now it is now wine! It is so mysterious and fantastic. At what point the water became wine we don’t know. Was it when the pots were first filled – or- not until it was served to the governor of the feast? But he joyfully pronounced it ‘the good wine’ reserved for the end – and an excellent break in tradition.
Nobody saw this coming. The significance of the miracle goes beyond the shear abundance
itself, half pint servings totally about 2,400 fills and refills. It goes beyond the saving of the young
couples’ embarrassment, or the best wine anyone could remember and a gonzo amount at that. This was a sign and a wonder. It was a miracle that manifested forth Christ’s glory: that God is interested in the plight of mankind at weddings proves he is definitely interested in his greater plight, that of sin. And that Jesus would not broadcast it, but that only the servants and his disciples knew, shows the wonder of his humility, ‘who emptied himself.’ Thus his glory is seen by not letting it be viewed by all. Plus, Christ did not make disciples of the crowds. So the purpose of signs is to produce faith, “and they believed on him.”
But the sign means more yet. Remember, a sign is a miracle that points to a greater reality than
the event itself. Thus there is a greater glory and a deeper mystery here, and it holds us in suspense till it’s declared. The sign [making water into wine] is parabolic, i.e. it is like a parable that fits a template. The sign has reference points that become embodied in Jesus himself and is even commentary on what Christ’s death and Resurrection mean. Its events portrays Jesus’ prophetic moment like a living parable.
Notice the components of the sign – 1 ‘The wine that ran out’ points in parabolic form to our
frail lives, and ‘Jesus’ wine’ points to his abundant life given to the community. 2 The sign comes on ‘the third day’ of Jesus’ ministry, which corresponds to Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead on the third day. 3 Wine represents life. That they ‘run out of wine’ expands to mean that ‘the human race has run out of life’. 4 The invited wedding guests in Cana at 30 A.D. point ahead to those invited to the wedding in heaven at the end of the age [Rev. 19:9]. 5 The transformation of water into wine refers to the transforming power of Christ’s life in us. 6 ‘Drawing out’ the ‘best wine until now’ points to Jesus’ blood ‘poured out’ on the Cross, for wine also represents blood. This ‘wine’ is incomparable and lasts to the end of the age. 7 ‘Drinking in celebration-style is likened to the way you receive Jesus: you ‘drink it’, you take into yourself Jesus’ life in celebration-style. So John means that ‘drink’ is to ‘receive him.’ 8 That Jesus made such an abundance of wine means that there is enough for you, so drink deeply. Welcome back to Jesus. Savor the moment.
Tim Halverson
lionsheadcafe.com 