Epiphany 2

Preparation

    Please begin by reading John 2:1-11 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--Reclaiming the Wine
   
   Some Christians are uncomfortable with this passage. What is Jesus doing using his power to make wine? And so much of it; far more than the occasion required? In a late 1970’s sermon, the Rev. William Sloane Coffin said that “Jesus changed water into wine; meanwhile, we in the Church have gotten very good at changing the wine back into water.” I’d like to encourage us to reclaim the wine.

    Sometimes we think that to be holy we must be ascetics; denying ourselves all of life’s joys. We may believe that God will provide for us, but somehow we think that God will only provide the bare minimum of the most basic essentials. Certainly, we think, God would not provide things just for our joy and pleasure!

    Such notions find little support in the life and teachings of Jesus or in God’s creation! Think of the smile of a child, the glory of a spring day, the wonder of new fallen snow, or the touch of a loved one.

    If God’s graciousness is limited, it is limited only by our narrow vision. Jesus said “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." Jesus was generous in everything. He not only made wine to add joy to the celebration; he made the very best wine and in abundant quantities.

    Jesus was not a sour-faced “stick in the mud.” Far from it!  When he was not away by himself in prayer, refreshing his spirit, he was out among people; all kinds of people. Some of the company he kept scandalized the “upright” of the day. (See Matthew 11:18-19.) I suspect that Jesus was right at home at a good party!

    Please do not misunderstand me.  We must keep our priorities straight.  Without question we must not let the things God graciously provides take God’s place or become too attached to them. They are always secondary, while seeking God is first. We must be ready to abandon all we have to follow Jesus, if the occasion requires, but that does not mean that God will not provide for us afterward.

    In fact, living in faith that God will provide is rather the point! Jesus said “And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30)

    Yes, we are called to discipleship. Yes, that sometimes involves hard choices and real sacrifice. But following Jesus need not mean a dull, joyless existence. I believe that Jesus had a passion for life fully lived and that Jesus calls us to be not only a faithful people, but a joyous multi-dimensional people whose lives celebrate God’s goodness. We need feel no guilt about enjoying the bounty that God showers upon us to refresh us on our journey of discipleship.  As long as we remain faithful, God will provide for us richly and, more importantly, will use us as a source to provide for others richly.

    Reclaim the new wine of God’ joy!

revclay

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John 2:1-11 (NRSV)
   
    On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

    When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."

    And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come."

    His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

    Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it.

    When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, "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."

    Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.