Scripture
“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”
JOHN 2:1-11
Quotes/Color
“Thank you for showing me that Christians can be fun.”
A note from one of my middle schooler mentees in 2015
It is an occupational hazard of devout folk to become stuffy and bored. This should not be. Of all people, we should be the most free, alive, interesting.
Richard Foster
“Thus there is a difference between having an opinion that God is holy and gracious, and having a sense of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. There is a difference between having a rational judgment that honey is sweet, and having a sense of its sweetness.”
Jonathan Edwards
Context
Let’s walk a tight line here and use a story about turning water into wine to explain how Christians should be the life of the party, shall we?
The interesting thing about this passage is that this is Jesus’ very first miracle in the gospel of John. Not calming a storm or performing a healing… Turning water into wine to keep a celebration going.
Why is that?
Tim Keller gives 3 reasons why this is the first miracle given in the gospel of John and what it tells us about Jesus.
- It Tells Us Who He Is – “Lord of the Feast” – Tim Keller calls Jesus “The True Lord of the Feast” in this miracle. I love that he does this for a couple of reasons… (1) It is true. At weddings like this there was always someone assigned to be a “Lord of the Feast”, an emcee of sorts. Their responsibility was to ensure that everyone was having a good time and that celebration was full and lively. Well. When the original “Lord of the Feast” ran out of his resources (the wine), the “TRUE Lord of the Feast” outdid the man who is supposed to be the life of the party. Jesus outdid the Lord of the Feast. He was the one who brought and brings more celebration, life and joy than we could ever bring. Very cool. And (2) I love this… Because Tim Keller of all people pointed it out. This wasn’t a preacher in cool sneakers saying this. This was academic, kind of nerdy Uncle Tim. That makes this point from him all the more fun for me. Jesus’ ministry is not about white knuckling your way through good decisions and boredom in life. Amplified celebration and new life is found with Christ.
- It Tells Us What He Came to Do – Be the Bridegroom – “In Moses’ time God turned water into blood as a curse… Today Jesus turned water into blood as a blessing.”
- It Tells Us What He Came to Offer – Sweetness and satisfaction in life. (Sidenote, the only alcohol I have ever had in my life was actually communion wine at a wedding. Tasted like mouthwash? Not sweet. But I’m told sweetness is kind of the idea so we’ll stick with it.)
Jesus’ first miracle in the gospel of John takes an existing celebration and amplifies it.
Application
The note below from one of my middle school mentees back in the day is the favorite one I’ve ever received.
“Thank you for showing me that Christians can be fun.”
It is my favorite because at some point in this young guy’s life, maybe he was at school feeling left out or maybe in the locker room feeling like the black sheep, he thought to himself… “I don’t see a way around it. I’m going to have to choose between having a good time or being a Christian. One or the other, not both. And I think I know which way I’m leaning.”
And something about our time together at youth camp helped convince him otherwise.
Christian community, like Jesus in His miracle of turning water into wine, should amplify an already good thing. It is good to gather together, share experiences with one another and celebrate together. Doing so with Christ at the center is the best possible option and God’s intention.
The most fun and the most joy can be found in the company of other Christians because we’ve been given a “sense of sweetness” in life that others don’t know. We know the Lord of the Feast! The man who one upped the party host himself and saved the best for last.
Something to chew on:
- Are you living on bread and water right now in your spiritual walk when Jesus has offered you wine (sweetness and satisfaction in life)? (A question from Tim Keller’s, as well)
- Who is a fellow Christian in your life that has made life fun and full for you? What traits do they have? What things do they do to do so?
- What can you do to better embody the joy and amplified goodness God brings to your life to others?
Great Value Proverb:
Christians should be… Fun.