Second Sunday after Epiphany
Text: John 2:1-11
Pastor Jean M. Hansen
Here we are in the Season after the Epiphany; the Biblical followers of Jesus in John’s Gospel are expecting an epiphany, a sudden insight into a deeper meaning or truth. I say that because at the end of Chapter 1 his new followers are told “you will see greater things.” In Chapter 2 that epiphany, or insight, arrived in a story found only in the Gospel of John in which Jesus saved the day at a wedding that he, his mother and his disciples were attending. It’s odd that his “saving” did not involve a life-threatening need other than the need not to be embarrassed.
The setting is a wedding feast, which would have been a week-long event. It was the bridegroom’s task to ensure that there was enough food and wine to last the entire week. If they ran out, it would be a major social blunder and cause of shame. Since Cana was only a few miles north of Nazareth, it’s likely that Mary and Jesus were not only wedding guests, but related to the bride or groom, and perhaps involved in the wedding preparations. This seems likely since Mary was aware when the wine ran out and concerned about the impact of that on the family.
She shares the dilemma with Jesus, who basically says, “Not my problem.” It’s interesting to note that in the Gospel of John there is a pattern of Jesus refusing a request and later fulfilling it. Scholars surmise that in doing so he is distancing himself from anyone assuming authority over him. In other words, Jesus does not do what he does due to pressure from family or friends. His actions are a matter of grace.
In this story grace is revealed in overflowing abundance as Jesus provides 120 gallons of additional wine, which I read is the equivalent of 600 standard bottles. And, it was not any old wine, but the good stuff! Serving good wine at the end of a wedding celebration was unheard of, a sign of overwhelming generosity. As one commentator wrote, this story and rest of the Gospel takes the incarnation seriously; it shows us what grace tastes like, looks like, smells like, sounds like and feels like. (1)
Since I seldom drink wine, I would not be the one to discern if what I was served was fine wine or the dregs of the wine options. However, I know ice cream. I’m not picky; I’ll eat any ice cream as long as it’s not covered with ice crystals. But I can quickly discern if I’m being served a chocolate almond custard from Pav’s or a raspberry chocolate scoop from Handel’s or the cheapest brand from the grocery store freezer case. I’ll eat them all, but I’ll feel pampered by the first two. And, if they were being served to a crowd, I would be impressed and wonder at such extravagance.
That’s more or less what happened with wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. At the beginning of John’s Gospel, we are told that in the Word made flesh, Jesus, we receive grace upon grace…abundant grace, overflowing grace…which is what is being revealed in this first of Jesus’ signs. God provides more than is requested and more than can be imagined.
It’s interesting, though, that this revelation of grace was seen only by a few – Mary, the disciples and the servants, who probably were more confused than anything. However, this water-into-wine-sign pointed to Jesus, causing his newly called disciples to see his glory and to believe.
We usually think of glory as something stunning, or as the response to a momentous event, as was the case when the angels sang “Glory to God!” at Jesus’ birth. When Jesus changed the water into fine wine, his stunning nature was revealed in that momentous event (they saw his glory), and they began to discern his identity as the Messiah (they believed in him).
Yet, in many ways it was an understated revelation; few people knew about it, he didn’t give a sermon, call on the Holy Spirit or wave his hands over the jars. He simply told the servants to fill the jars with water, then draw it out and take it to the chief steward (the first century wedding planner) who gave the bridegroom credit for his unprecedented generosity.
As we consider that epiphany, it’s interesting to contemplate how Jesus’ glory is revealed among us now, in both understated and astounding ways. Commentator Scott Hoezee writes, “Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see divine glory in our lives a lot more often than we might otherwise think. When the hungry in our cities are fed, when the homeless are housed, when children without decent shoes get nice new sneakers from a local clothing ministry, when the despairing are comforted by a word of hope, when the sad can dry their tears with the gospel comfort of the resurrection to come: when we see these things happening in our churches, our communities and in our families, then we are seeing the glory of God as God continues to guide us back to that for which he created us and this whole cosmos to begin with.” (2)
In the Los Angeles fires that have caused at least 25 deaths and indescribable devastation, the glory of God has been revealed. It has been revealed through celebrities like Beyoncé, Eva Longoria, and Prince Harry who donated large sums to relief funds. But God’s glory works through everyone who is willing. I was impressed by this - a 16-year-old boy put his tech skills to work and created a website to help victims move forward.
His name is Ruben Varghese; he’s a junior at Cupertino High School who launched save-la.org with the hopes it will give fire victims one place to go to access all the services they need. There’s information on recovery centers, links to state and federal agencies as well as information on where to turn in the event of job loss. The site also has information for people wanting to donate cash, supplies or help in other ways.
God’s glory is being revealed in hands-on efforts as people have been organizing drives for essential and nonessential items. Some have organized food drives to deliver fresh meals and snacks to first responders and evacuees. Others have mobilized to make care packages for those in need. Animal shelters and rescue organizations have also been inundated with donations and volunteers to help support the influx of animals taken in during the wildfires. And restaurants have continued to offer free meals to first responders.
And here’s the interesting thing, it has been a widespread effort that has not one clear leader but many; people from all walks of life have come together to support the city and the region. (By the way, one of the best ways we can offer support is through a donation to Lutheran Disaster Response.)
The glory of God is revealed in love, in service and in community. It’s where abundance triumphs over scarcity, unearned, undeserved grace abounds and life defeats death. Each of these examples of God’s glory are an epiphany, an insight into a deeper truth. That truth is that Jesus walks with us, works through us, and grace upon grace abounds. AMEN
“Commentary on John 2:1-11” by Karoline Lewis, www.workingpreacher.org
“John 2:1-11 Commentary” by Scott Hoezee, January 20, 2019, www.cepreaching.org