CULTURAL BACKDROP - According to first century marriage customs, festivities
included a procession of the bridal party to the groom’s house on the first evening
for the wedding banquet; in all, the festivities apparently lasted seven days. And here is
an interesting tidbit: a careful study made of Jewish wedding customs reveals that
"the wine supply was dependent to some extent on the gifts of the guests." [1]
Stingy guests can cause empty wine glasses! Such a discovery would also invite stewardship
into the story.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? - Too much conjecture from silence has blurred the meaning of this
story. Bultmann, for example, wants to see in this story a heavy-handed borrowing from the
Dionysius feast celebrated on January 6th during which the fountains of the pagan temples
on Mt. Andros purportedly spouted wine instead of water. Whatever. But what does the
writer wish to convey from this event? According to the writer, this story par excellence
reveals the glory of Jesus and opens the door for his disciples to believe in him. This
sign "will have the same purpose that all the subsequent signs will have, namely, the
revelation about the person of Jesus." [2]
MARTIN LUTHER [on John 1:12] - By this beautiful example Jesus wanted to teach us
that he is very pleased when people faithfully assist and serve in maintaining the home .
. . just make sure you have Christ at your side and that you live a godly life. He will
turn water to wine, and so bless your estate that you will always have enough and things
will work out for you. [3]
Sometimes the things God asks us
to do just don’t seem to make sense! Jesus says, "Fill the jars with
water." But why? Even though it seems to make no sense, the servants do as they are
told. The water becomes premium wine. Honor rather than shame comes to the feast.
What are you running out of? What shortages are your family, faith community or
neighborhood likely to encounter? What does Jesus ask you to do in response? What act of
obedience does Jesus ask of you in order to transform a situation?
Please refer to this week's published
sample sermon by Randy Quinn
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[1] Raymond E. Brown, The Anchor Bible, Vol. 29: John I-XII (NY: Doubleday,
1966), page 102.
[2] Ibid, page 103.
[3] Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, Volume 5 (Baker Books, 2000), page 236.
