Today is the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany. The Gospel for today's service
was John 2:1-11, the Wedding at Cana in Galilee.
1. JESUS SANCTIFIES MARRIAGE-MAKING
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and
adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4). This week the British Prime
Minister has scrapped a Bill which would allow a "No-blame" Divorce after
only 6 months. At present an uncontested divorce takes 2 years; but if
grounds of Adultery or Cruelty can be proved, it only takes 6 months. So hire
a photographer and a male or a female model, take a carefully posed photo, and
you get your quickie divorce. Jesus sanctified Marriage by his attendance, and
first public miracle.
a. A Wedding provided His first public engagement.
The bride could have been a daughter of Joseph and Mary, a younger half-sister
to Jesus (Mark 6:3). If so, that would explain why Mary, Jesus and his band of
disciples were invited. A large group, so no wonder they ran short of wine.
b. A Wedding produced His first public miracle.
Some make much of the intercession of His mother Mary; but He was not beholden
to her (4). As with the conversation with Andrew in the miracle of the loaves
and fishes, "He Himself knew what He would do" (John 6:6). Mary's advice to
the servants is also the best advice for us - "Do whatever He tells you" (5).
The water in the jars was attested by the servants as mere water; but the
the toastmaster praised what was served to him as the "Best Wine".
2. JESUS SANCTIFIES MERRY-MAKING
Why did Jesus make so many gallons of wine? Or did only what was drawn in
faith and served at the table redden into wine?
6 pots x 2.5 firkins @ 9 gallons = 135 gallons!
One Pin = 36 pints (4.5 gallons imperial)
One Firkin = 9 gallons
One Kilderkin = 18 gallons
One Barrel = 36 gallons
One Hogshead = 54 gallons
One Butt = 72 gallons
One Tun = 108 gallons
Jesus never authorised the abuse of alcohol for the drowning of sorrows (You
won't drown them; only irrigate them a little, and make them grow!). He
declined the drugged wine offered to Him at His crucifixion. But He did
authorise the right use of it:
a. Alcohol provides a Social Beverage on a Secular Occasion.
"It is right to make merry" (Luke 15:2). "(God gave) wine to gladden the heart
of man" (Psalm 104:15). Abuse of wine is no argument for the non-use of wine;
only for the right use of it. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging"
(Proverbs 20:1) it says; "be not among winebibbers" (Proverbs 23:20). But it
also says "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of
your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Timothy 5:23). Remember that Her
Majesty the Queen permits her health to be drunk in water. Lesser mortals
should not require otherwise. Small amounts of alcohol are prescribed for some
heart conditions. Wine with a meal aids the digestion.
b. Alcohol provides a Sacramental Beverage on a Sacred Occasion.
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:25). Cf the parable of the wineskins
(Luke 5:37-39). What we look forward to is neither the old wine of Judaism nor
yet the new wine of Pentecost, but the *royal wine* of the Kingdom of Heaven
(Matthew 26:29).
We sip it now in remembrance of Him; we shall sup it then at the Marriage
Supper of the Lamb. There He will be the Bridegroom and all believers (the
"Body of Christ") will be the Bride. "Blessed are those who are invited to the
marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9).
He keeps the Best Wine till last!
__________________________________________________________________________
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
