M.N. Ngcobo 29/08/2009

 John 2:1-11  John sets this story at the very beginning of the ministry of Jesus, so that as we read the rest of the gospel story we will keep always in mind his transforming power.  In that sense it is a good text for any new beginnings.

"On the third day..." - the day of resurrection! – John 2:19 “…destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up”. An introduction to Jesus’ whole ministry It is at a wedding in Cana of Galilee - a wedding, where friends and family had gathered to celebrate the grace of life together. The grace of Christ is not confined to the sanctuaries in which we gather for worship. It impacts every aspect of life - our politics, our economics, even the ordinary social occasions. The living Christ has power to make every aspect of life sacramental.

The mother of Jesus was there, and so was Jesus and his disciples “The wine was finished” – not sure why, but maybe poor planning An abundance of good wine is a symbol, a sign of the joyous arrival of God's new age – the one of the three products of the land (Deut. 7:12-13) The mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine” - the deficiency “My hour has not yet come” The mother of Jesus tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do – Certainty, knowledge, complete confidence (faith) – Hebrews 11:1

“six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding many litters” – (Christians are vessels through which God desires to carry out His plan – Acts 9:15) – six foundational doctrines (Hebrews 6:1) The jars were used to put water for a ritual act of cleansing. But Jesus does not merely cleanse and purify. He transforms!

 Jesus orders the servants to fill the jars with water – (the symbol of the Holy Spirit) – John 4:13 &  He then tells them to draw some of the water out and take it to the chief steward - (We are commissioned to take what we have and pass it on to others – Matt 28:18-20)

The wine steward is stunned that the bridegroom has saved the best wine to the last moment – “you have kept the good wine until now”. A final verse - unlocks the profound purpose of the miraculous transformation of water into wine - "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and [Jesus] revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him." Jesus performed the miracle to reveal his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

“Do not be conformed by this world (or this age), but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Through this miracle we witness the revelation of God's abundant grace and the faith that that grace solicits in those who believe

 Christian faith is rooted in the abundance of grace poured out on us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  What distinguishes Christianity from other religions is grace – If there is no grace Christianity becomes religion.

Jesus didn't just turn water into wine. He turned an abundance of water into a large amount of the finest and richest wine. This is a miracle of abundance, of extravagance, of transformation and new possibilities Turning water into wine is also a miracle of grace This miracle reveals the unimaginable glory of Jesus and anticipates his ultimate moment of glorification three years later - his death, resurrection, and ascension

The miracle of turning water into wine is a promise that through Jesus Christ God is pouring out on us and on all of creation grace upon grace in unimaginable abundance. God's Riches At Christ's Expense

 Grace is God's unmerited favor. It is kindness from God we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor we can ever do to earn this favor. It is a gift from God. Grace is divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration (rebirth) or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor.

 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)