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Martin Luther King saw what few
others saw-when he spoke of the day when all people
would be recognized and accepted as children of God and
not judged by outward appearances. Quoting Dr. King, “I
have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and
live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these
truths to be self-evident: that all men (and women) are
created equal’….I have a dream that my four little
children will one day live in a nation where they will
not be judged by the color of their skin but by the
content of their character. I have a dream today.”
We have come a long way since that
famous speech on the steps on the Lincoln Memorial in
the summer of 1963, but we still have a way to go to
combat the sin of racism. When we witness prejudice or
racism we need to speak out in Christian love.
An African-American university
employee shared an incidence at a local supermarket.
She was standing in line at the deli and notice that the
young person who was waiting on customers seemed to
ignore her, waiting on the white customers even though
she was next in line. What would you do if you
witnessed this situation? I would politely say to the
clerk that the woman in front of me was next in line and
allow her to be waited on next. If there continued to
be a problem I would ask to speak to a manager.
Obviously the manger would need to speak to the
employee. All people are loved and matter to God and
therefore matter to us as well.
This week’s Time magazine had an
article about how large churches are being intentional
in eliminating barriers. Bill Hybels, Founding and
Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church was asked
in an interview how important racial reconciliation is
to Christianity. He answered, “It’s absolutely core to
the Gospel. It speaks to whether all humans are made in
the image of God and have the capability of being
redeemed and used by God to perform his work.” Then he
added, “I’m going to persevere on this for the rest of
my life.” (1)
In this morning’s gospel lesson we find
Jesus along with his mother attending a wedding. It may
strike us as odd to find Jesus at a wedding
celebration. We tend to view Jesus firmly set on God’s
will and that he would not have time to attend a
wedding. We often portray Jesus as serious all the time
even though he is present at dinners and other
celebrations in the gospels.
Weddings are a big deal for the
families involved, and require much planning for
everything to fall into place. In Jesus’ day wedding
celebrations would last for seven days, a full week.
Imagine having to plan not just one meal but a week’s
worth of food and beverage for all your guests. The
guest list would consist of family as well as the entire
village.
Jesus was just beginning his
ministry, having called his first disciples, when he and
his mother Mary were invited to attend a wedding in Cana
of Galilee. The disciples also accompanied them to the
wedding. Such occasions it is an honor to be in
attendance, showing your love and support of the couple
being married and their families.
Everything was going great—a
wonderful celebration of the young couple beginning
their new life together. At some point in the
celebration, much to the dismay of the host, they had
run out of wine and the guests were thirsty. Not only
was this embarrassing but might very well sour the whole
experience for all the guests. In a small village,
where everyone knows everyone, such a bad experienced
might be talked about for a long time. We do not know
whether the host failed to plan and secure enough
beverages, or if the guests were extra thirsty.
Mary was dismayed and approached
Jesus with the expectation that he would be able to help
in some way. Jesus’ reply seems harsh to modern ears,
“Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour
has not yet come.” We need to remember in John’s gospel
that there is deeper meaning in what Jesus says and that
whoever he is speaking with misunderstands. Jesus’
words are neither rude nor hostile, yet they do signify
a distancing with his mother.
Jesus states that his “hour has not
yet come,” which us a clue for us. His “hour” in John’s
gospel not only refers to a specific period of time but
also to the time of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and
ascension. There is a link between what Jesus is doing
and his glorification.
After conversing with Jesus, Mary
informs one of the servants to do whatever her son
asks. Nearby were six large empty stone jars used for
the Jewish practice of purification. They were not
earthenware but presumably carved from stone. Some
suggest that these stone jars were symbolic of the
religion of the day, empty and without life. Throughout
his ministry Jesus would protest lifeless forms of the
faith. Jesus came to bring new life to those who
believe in him. He instructs the servants to fill the
jars, each holding twenty to thirty gallons of water.
Imagine how heavy these jars must have been when filled
with water. It would take several strong persons to
move them.
John’s gospel does not tell of
miracles but rather of signs. Changing water into wine
was the first of Jesus’ signs. The sign reveals
something of the character of Jesus and is an extension
of God. It was nothing short of extravagant abundance,
six jars holding twenty to thirty gallons became one
hundred eighty gallons of wine. There must have been
some thirsty guests at that wedding! And it was not
some cheap watered-down inferior wine either but the
finest wine. In disbelief the steward told the
bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and
then the inferior wine after the guests have become
drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
All the guests enjoyed the fine
wine but not everyone realized its source—that it came
from Jesus. The disciples knew and John states that
they believed.
This incident from the life of
Jesus reveals that Jesus valued celebrations and enjoyed
a good time. Joy. Perhaps you know some Christians who
need to experience the joy of our faith.
Early in Jesus’ ministry we learn
of God’s grace. We do not earn our salvation rather it
is received as a gift. It is not just a small amount of
grace that quickly evaporates but an abundant grace that
never runs out. Changing ordinary water into
exceptional wine reveals that those who believe in Jesus
that there is much more to come. Jesus is able to take
the ordinary stuff of life and change it into something
wonderful. Jesus is able to take our ordinary lives and
transform them in ways we might never have realized.
With Jesus the best is yet to come!
Amen.
1. “The Color of Faith,” David Van
Biema, Time, January 11, 2010, pp.38-41
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