January 14, 2001

John 2:1-11

Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, "They're just about out of wine."

Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother -- yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me."

She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it."

Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants. "Fill the pots with water." and they filled them to the brim.

"Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host," Jesus said, and they did.

When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!"

This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

<The Message >

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1. From Ralph Milton's weekly email journal, "Rumors" (RUMORS is free. It comes to your e-mail box every Sunday morning. There are instructions at the end of each issue telling you how to get off the list if you no longer want to receive it. Here's all you do. Send an e-mail to rumors@joinhands.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Don't put anything else in that e-mail. Thanks.)

According to John's account of the life of Jesus, the first thing Jesus did in his ministry was to keep the party going. Jesus turned the water into wine, but in some churches we seem to be intent on turning it back into water. We don't seem to believe that joy and celebration are part of the Christian life. But I find this story delightful, because it speaks to me of the generosity of God who offers us the very best, even if we are too tipsy to know it. And, as Bev points out, this fine wine is there at no cost to those who think they are giving the party and those who were invited guests.

(Those who would like a more in-depth discussion of the lections might check
the JoinHands web site, at www.joinhands.com. Look for the periodical Aha!,
and the online lectionary discussion called the Midrash.)

2. Can you imagine the people at Cana hearing about Jesus at the last supper turning wine into blood which would be a sign of a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins? They would appreciate the crucifixion story of water and blood flowing mingled down from a wound. Toasts with wine would never be the same.

3. So, when is your time to shine and give a sign that you are GOD's beloved? If it has come a time or two, did you recognize it at the time? If you are wondering if you have such a time, perhaps it is here -- who might be your mother Mary?

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