January 19, 2025
Pastor John Hering
John 2:1–11
John 2:1–11
Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My time has not come yet.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Six stone water jars, which the Jews used for ceremonial cleansing, were standing there, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And they did.
9 When the master of the banquet tasted the water that had now become wine, he did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew). The master of the banquet called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have had plenty to drink, then the cheaper wine. You saved the good wine until now!”
11 This, the beginning of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
The marriage ceremony was beautiful and the promises of faithfulness were clearly spoken by the bride and groom. Now it’s time for the wedding reception. You can all remember a wedding reception that you’ve attended. As you step into the reception hall you notice the beautiful tables, the cake, the caterers preparing the food and the bar off to the side. The relatives are gathered into groups laughing and hugging as they catch up on family since the last gathering. Now it’s time to find your seat location clearly displayed on the poster. Behind you there are the work buddies of the groom holding their beers and laughing louder than they realize, debating who was going to ask the bride’s sister for a dance. Over there you see the parents. Moms are in their pretty long dresses wondering why they didn’t talk to each other before the wedding so they weren’t wearing the same style and color of dresses. The dads are looking sharp and we all know they are sucking in their tummies so they don’t pop the cummerbund under their tuxedo jacket. Everyone there is waiting. Waiting to sign the guest book, waiting in line at the bar for a beverage, waiting to sit down, waiting for the dinner to begin, waiting for the wedding party to arrive. It is the day of the bride and groom. They are the focal point.
But, now imagine that same scenario with the wedding party and everyone else all seated and waiting for the reception to begin. That would be odd. You lean across the table to ask, “What are we waiting for?” And they answer, “We are waiting for the Special Guest to arrive.” Now you’re wondering who that could be? Was the bride related to Governor Abbot? Did the groom have family ties with someone from Washington? (Which, BTW, when I sign the guest book I always sign the current president’s name so they have that record). Who is this Special Guest that is worth waiting for? I could see this happening at the Wedding of Cana if the bride and groom had realized who they had invited to their wedding. If they really knew who Jesus of Nazareth really was don’t you think they would have waited, rolled out the red carpet, or at least lay down a few palm branches?
Today we have the benefit of hindsight. It would have been awesome to share with the bride and groom, and the crowd, just who Jesus was. But, what about right now? Do you think our attitude and life would be a little different if we would remember Jesus has taken his seat in our hearts? I think so. May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with great thanks for
The Special Guest Delivers More Than Expected
Showing His Humility
Jesus had just called Philip and Nathaniel to be his disciples and follow him.
Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
My mind was spinning here. Someone has a wedding and invited Jesus and his disciples! That’s amazing! But, it is just as amazing what we don’t read. Jesus didn’t arrive and say, “I am the Son of God. Where is my seat of honor?” There are no passages that say the people gasped and stared in awe as Jesus entered the room. No! Jesus came in great humility from the manger in Bethlehem to the wedding in Cana. Jesus showed himself to be the humble servant of all people.
Does this bother you? It should and it shouldn’t. It should because Jesus had to do our dirty work. I don’t mean be the one who serves the food, washes the dishes and takes out the garbage. This is Jesus who came from the glory of heaven and came endure living in this sinful world. It should bother us that it is our fault that Jesus had to come in humility in our place. For the times we were not faithful to the time clock at work and failed to get our work done. Jesus came and faithfully served in our place and gave us a raise! It would be like smashing our car into a Rolls Royce and having Jesus come and say, “Don’t worry! I’ll take care of it. You can have my Rolls Royce and I’ll pay to have your car fixed, no I’ll get you a new car!” It should bother us that Jesus had to come because of our sins.
Yet, his humility doesn’t bother us because we know he came into our world for us! We aren’t looking for trumpets to blast, chime to ring before we gasp in awe because Jesus willing comes in great humility to be our perfect Savior.
Here is the truth for us to take to heart: He humbly and yet miraculous entered into your heart through the study of His Word, or the Word connected to simple water, or today through Wafer and Wine. A very Special Guest Has Delivered More Than We Expected Showing Us Humility. Let us repent for failing to remember how selflessly Jesus has Delivered himself to us, and then rejoice in Jesus revealing his love to us by Showing Us Humility as our Savior. And then
Showing His Wisdom
We aren’t told how many people attended the wedding in Cana. Commentaries teach us that such weddings could involve the whole village and last for a week. So, don’t get the idea that the crowd along with the disciples were heavy drinkers when you hear this:
“3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My time has not come yet.”
This conversation is a window into Mary’s heart. She came trusting Jesus in time of needing help. We also see her weakness in thinking that the help should occur according to her schedule. We learn that Jesus was no longer the Son who was running errands for his mother in Nazareth. Jesus was the Anointed One, her Savior and Lord. The wise help Jesus brings will be at the right time and in the right way. It will be on his schedule so that the blessing he brings will be according to his wise will.
I wonder if it would be a good practice when it comes to giving gifts to a newly wedded couple. I know our custom is to bring our cards and gifts and place them on the table. Then the couple has a trusted family member or friend take them from the wedding reception to the place where they will open the gifts in a day or two. But, it is also so important to keep record of those cards and gifts. I wonder if it would be a better practice to deliver a gift a few days after the event. It might make the gift more memorable and special. It certainly was for Jesus’ gift!
Here is the truth for us to take to heart: Jesus’ wise timing is always perfect. I know, because I’m just like you, that I like to have the help I need according to my schedule. I want my brother to recover from his brain surgery now! I want my bills to be paid now! I want my loneliness to go away now! But, look at Mary! She took Jesus’ wise words to heart:
“5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
If Mary said these words to you, would you do whatever he tells you? We repent for the times we have been impatient that knocked us off the track of trusting in Jesus’ wise timing. Then let us rejoice for Jesus, the Special Guest Has Delivered More Than We Expected Showing us Humility and Wisdom. Jesus lives in your heart and knows all your problems and wisely knows when and how to solve them in the right time by
Showing Us Compassion
What I’m about to read is the first miracle Jesus performed. What do you find to be really amazing about this miracle?
“6 Six stone water jars, which the Jews used for ceremonial cleansing, were standing there, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And they did. 9 When the master of the banquet tasted the water that had now become wine, he did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew). The master of the banquet called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have had plenty to drink, then the cheaper wine. You saved the good wine until now!”
It is amazing that Jesus could do this. It shows us that he is God. It is amazing that he cared so much about saving the couple the embarrassment to provide such a wedding gift. It is amazing that this Special Guest Provided More Than Was Expected by providing the best wine! This may not seem all that important, but it shows us Jesus’ Compassion! Jesus took time to care for and help this couple.
Here is the truth for us to take to heart: Jesus has Compassionate Care! Today we see Jesus’ compassion as good wine flowing from stone foot washing jars! If Jesus would be so compassionate to supply wine for a wedding, don’t you think he is even more compassionate about you? Jesus cares about everything we say and do. You may not have good wine in your closet at home, but you have racks of good clothes. Our cupboards, refrigerators and freezers are stuffed with good food. Our brains are storing years of thinking, talking and working. A Special Guest Has Delivered More Than We Expected for our daily life with his Compassionate Heart. Having taken care of our little needs, how about our greatest need? Jesus hung on the cross to take care of the curse of sin and the power of death. Let us Repent for failing to wake up every day with Jesus’ Compassion on our minds, and then let’s join the Psalmist and sing,
“2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—3 who pardons all your guilt, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, 5 who satisfies your life with goodness, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle”
Psalm 103
A Special Guest Has Delivered More Than Expected Showing his Humility, Widom, Compassion and
Showing His Power
Do you know where Buc-ees is? Of course you do! You can’t miss the signs along the highway. You almost have to try to miss it after seeing all those signs. St. John puts a huge sign along our journey of life to learn the point of this miracle by Jesus.
“11 This, the beginning of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.”
There. Did you get the point of this miracle of Jesus? The disciples did. Do you? A Special Guest Has Arrived In Our Lives With Divine Power!
Here is the truth for us to take to heart: Jesus has power with a purpose! Jesus used his power for people! Jesus used his divine power to crush Satan’s head, to pay the penalty of the sins of the whole world, and to open the gate of heaven for all people. Jesus is our Special Guest Who Has Delivered Way More Than Anyone Ever Expected! Jesus uses his power to forgive all your sins, to graciously give you eternal life, to live in your heart and watch over you every day! When Jesus Showed His Power by turning water into wine it was just the first of so many miracles he used to reveal himself to be God.
Today we repent for the times we got out of bed and didn’t want to face another day. We know the troubles, heartache, difficulties and effects of sin all around us. We are sorry for failing to trust in Jesus’ power in our lives. And then we turn the page and read about Jesus turning water into wine and we thank the Holy Spirit for pointing us to Jesus. We have Jesus in heaven right now at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb waiting for the bride. The bride is YOU! Live with peace, hope and joy in Jesus, whether the little things go wrong, or you face big trials. Jesus hasn’t changed his humility, wisdom, compassion and power for you. You have a Your Special Guest, Jesus, Who Lives In Your Heart and Delivers Way More Than You Expected! Amen!
