The reading this morning from the Gospel of John is the story of Jesus turning water into wine. A very familiar story, a story full of illusion and metaphors, a story so full of traditional "Bible Story" stuff it has reached for some, "Fairy Tale" status.
It is a fun text to preach on, Jesus, the thirty-something year old Rabbi, being pressured by his Jewish mother to do something about the wine shortage at the wedding. Jesus' terse response to her pestering, "Woman, what concern is this to you and me" makes us wonder about Jesus' less than respectful (though certainly reflective of his culture) attitude toward his mother. Mary (not named by John) telling him to basically do it anyway. What a great story. Jesus' Mom seems to be saying, "Look Jesus, you are thirty years old, time to get a job and move out of the house. Do something about the problem so you and your buddies can make something out of yourselves."
It is interesting that Jesus makes about 120 gallons of wine, what a party this must have been! I am sure the host would have been happy with a couple of boxes of wine from the local drive-thru. But no, Jesus needed to make a point so he made an abundant amount of wine. Why so much, well, I think this is where we get into the metaphor part of the story. Jesus made an abundant amount of wine because he wants us, his followers to live life abundantly. I am constantly impressed by the way many people in recovery live life with such enthusiasm. In their addiction they have been to the gates of Hell, in their recovery they know that they have been given a second chance in life, so the live life abundantly!
I am sure there are many more Theological ways of looking at this story, but to tell you the truth I really don't care. Jesus wants us to live life abundantly, abundantly in love for one another, abundantly in love for God, and abundantly in the life of recovery. Jesus made so much wine because he wanted the people at the party to have a good time, or, maybe he was just showing off. Maybe the woman getting married was an old girlfriend and he wanted to show her what she was missing….that will get you literalists fired up!
See you next week.
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