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January 28, 2007
Scripture: John 2: 1-11
Title: “Do whatever he tells you”

I have always wondered what the couple who was getting married during this story thought of this miracle that really wasn’t a miracle like the other miracles that Jesus performed in his ministry and if the community gathered at the wedding really knew happened that day. For example, do you think the steward realized that the wine had run out and then sent a message to the groom and the father, only to send another message just a few minutes later to say sorry, we found more wine. Didn’t mean to bother you. Go back to celebrating. The first message may have caused the wedding couple a few minutes of panic, trying to figure out a solution during the middle of their reception. Where would they get more wine? Maybe they could cut off Uncle Bob and then add water to what little wine was left. And see what happens. And how would they live down the humiliation of not having enough wine for their guests? They planned and calculated. They thought they had taken into account how much everyone would drink that day. Who would have counted on 10 guests bringing 10 people that were not even invited? What are they going to do?
What? You found more wine. We have plenty. What? There is more than plenty. There is more than enough. We have that much wine left over! How much did you say? There is a hundred and fifty gallons of good wine left over! Wow! Where was that hiding? Your dad must have put some back a few weeks ago.
Whew! That was a blessing. Crisis avoided. Okay, let’s go back to the wedding celebration.

Do you think they really knew where the extra wine came from? Or do you think they cared where the extra wine came from? Their wedding celebration didn’t stop. The overabundance didn’t affect their marriage. I’m sure that it was an interesting story that the couple told to all their friends. “I have got a funny story for you. We thought our wedding was ruined but suddenly as if out of nowhere, there was 150 gallons of wine, and not just any wine, but the really good stuff. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that someone thought ahead, put some wine back in case we needed it and saved our wedding celebration.”

Our story today is an odd story. Only the Gospel of John shares this miracle story. It is similar to many of the other miracle stories in certain ways but really it is a weird miracle story to share with a community of faith. It really doesn’t help anyone. No one is healed. No one is saved. No one sees the miracle and says I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

So why add it? What’s the point? And why so much wine?

For the author of the Gospel of John, the point is that when we follow the commands of Jesus, we experience the essence of discipleship and experience the overabundance of God’s grace. When we know God through Jesus, we experience the abundance of the gifts that Jesus brings to us and these gifts are beyond our imagination and ability to comprehend. These gifts are Grace, Hope and Love.

The author of John leaves his readers clues to expect the unexpected all along this passage. Weddings were an over the top production even during Biblical times. It was a defining moment in one’s lifetime. It was important to have plenty of food and wine for your guests as a sign of hospitality. People saved for years for their children’s weddings. It didn’t matter if you were poor. You had to have a huge wedding feast to celebrate this life event.
So needless to say, the fact that they ran out of wine does not bode well for the families that they ran out of wine, just when the party was getting started.

Another clue to the readers about the overabundance of this miracle is the fact that there just happens to be six stone jars lying around. And the fact that they can quickly and easily fill up these jars that hold about twenty to thirty gallons of water. This is a dry country. It wasn’t like they could go to their sinks and fill them up with tap water. They had to travel to their local wells. And this would have taken time. The party would have come to a stop with the lack of wine. And the party would have ended in the length of time it would have taken to fill 6 jars.

The point that the author of John is making by sharing this story is that this miracle of overabundance happened as a sign of God’s will towards God’s own people. When Jesus refers that it is not his time yet, the author of John is showing that no one can make God act until God is ready to act in this world. Jesus does not act in response to claims of family, or because there is a glaringly evident need. Jesus cannot be guilt tripped into saving this wedding celebration for this couple and this family. Jesus acts in this situation because this simple miracle is a sign for the true believers, for those who follow Jesus’ commands and teachings. This simple miracle is a reminder for those that know Jesus and for those that have given up everything to follow Jesus. This simple miracle is for those who have taken up the life of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is showing them that they have been called to be a part of something amazing and something unexpected. Jesus is showing that these disciples should be prepared for something that will shatter everything that they hold as normal and true. Jesus is showing that these disciples are a part of God working in the world in a new way.

It was not necessary for there to be a crowd around witnessing this miracle. And actually as this miracle story is told, it is hard to figure out exactly when the water was turned to wine. We just know it happens.

There is no need for a statement of faith. There is no need for a celebration of someone being healed and brought back to life.

All the disciples and the followers of Jesus Christ need to know is that we are called to follow the commands of Jesus. That we are to listen and take to heart the teachings of Jesus. That we are to do whatever he tells us.

And when we follow, we will experience an overabundance of grace. And when we follow, we will experience an overabundance of love. And when we follow, we will experience an overabundance of hope.

As I was writing this sermon, I realized that I have never been a part of a big miracle. You know the ones that all the Gospel writers talk about where there is a large crowd and someone is healed and then they believe. No I have never been a part of a big miracle.
I have had a lot of experiences with small miracles though. You know the ones where maybe no one notices what is happening, but lives are changed. My experience with small miracles range from seeing a shooting star while lying out on a tennis court at night under the sky in the mountains of North Carolina to being a part of Midway Christian Church’s ministries. The Rummage Sale, Children Worship and Wonder, The Hope Center, The mitten tree, Adopting families for Christmas, meals on Wheels.
Yes, I have had a lot of experience with the small miracles. And each time I experience these small miracles, I am reminded of our call to be followers of Jesus Christ. Every time I see lives changed through small miracles, I am reminded that someone is doing as Jesus taught them to do. Every time, I experience a small miracle, I know that we are doing whatever Jesus tells us to do.

May we always do whatever Jesus tells us to do and open ourselves to the over abundance of God. Amen.

Rev. Heather McColl
Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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