Water into wine

Summary

A couple of years, during Lent, at one of the soup suppers we host here on Wednesday evenings we ran out of soup.  Two people had volunteered to bring pots of soup, which they did, but that evening the prepared soups were in smaller pots.  That, combined with a greater amount of people attending resulted in empty pots with no soup by twenty minutes after six, and people wondering if they should leave and go home to eat.  As the pastor who stands up here in front of you all, inviting you to come and eat on Wednesday evenings in the season of Lent, this was of concern to me.  I did not want people leaving, for they might then, not come back next week, for either the soup or the worship service.  What could we do?

What happened that night is not unheard of, for this lack of food can occasionally happen with church meals. Be them soup suppers or potlucks, at the church there is usually not an invite list, but rather a ‘come as you wish’ invitation to all.  For instance there was a potluck a few years ago in which only the first half of the eaters could put anything on their plate.  We had very quickly run out of food that had been brought, for only a few of the eaters had brought any food to share.  People went home hungry, I remember for I was one of them.  Some whom were not able to eat, weren’t very happy for they had brought food to share.

Yet, that was not the case on that Wednesday evening, which I mentioned above.  The Lenten Soup Supper was different.  That evening a number of individuals “pitched in,” as we say in America, meaning different people helped to quickly cook up another pot of soup.  A packet of dried soup was found in the pantry, some fresh vegetables were found to chop up, and add to the pot, and soon between a few people’s efforts there was enough soup for all.  It was good soup too!  Thus, those whom came after six-thirty were able to sit down and eat, and as the “host” I was able to know that they would leave satisfied.

These incidences came to mind when I was pondering Jesus’ miracle of the ordinary water that became the finest wine, a miracle that I thought for so long as having no similarity to any of his other miracles.  I thought this perhaps, because this miracle has to do with wine, with alcohol.

Alcohol is a subject that can be a very contentious issue, primarily because of how the over-consumption of alcohol, in any of its various forms brings about drunkenness.  As we know, drunkenness can lead to all sorts of behavior, much of it bad because people’s inhibitions are lowered.  And so, the church has struggled with alcohol and its affects for millennia.

Does this mean alcohol is bad?  No.  Does it mean that over-consumption of alcohol is good?  No, the Bible is clear upon that.

Being caught up in the quandary of whether alcohol consumption is good or bad, doesn’t mean though, that we should avoid talking about Jesus, and his first miracle, or as John writes, “sign” in his gospel.  I had a professor who served many years as a pastor who told the story of a contentious conversation he had with an older woman in one of his congregations.

The woman was very upset with Pastor Ben because he had not condemned alcohol outright, and so she angrily confronted him about this.  In response, Pastor Ben had referred to John, chapter two, this mornings gospel story, when saying, “Well, let’s remember, Jesus did  turn water into wine, not the other way around!”

To which the woman tartly replied, “Yes, and I never have liked that about him!”

In turning the water into wine, at the bequest of his mother, Jesus was focusing not upon whether he was adding alcohol to the party that had been going on already for days, but rather, he was meeting a greater need, in a way that was very natural to him.

As some of you know, specifically those of you whom come from cultures that place a great value upon hospitality, in today’s story the groom and his family were in grave danger of being shamed publicly by running out of the expected, and thus needed, wine.  Though family and friends would have brought food and drink to help supply the needs of the wedding feast and its guests, ultimately it was up to the groom’s family to make sure there was nothing missing, and that food and drink did not run out.  Yet, in this story that very thing is what happens.

The shame this lack of wine would have brought down upon the groom’s family would have been remembered for years, even generations.  Jesus of course understood this, and even though he told his mother Mary that it was not yet his time, he lived out the faith she showed in him.  Jesus met a very real need, in the most stupendous of ways!

In doing this he acted as the host, as the one providing the need.

It reminds me of other times in Jesus ministry, when as a host he provided for a need. For instance when he multiplied the generous boy’s lunch of fish and bread, so that a crowd of thousands would not go hungry.  He was meeting a physical need, while revealing an aspect of his character, his being, to those gathered…hospitality.

We tend to not really notice this aspect of Jesus, but again and again, we find him in situations where either he is the host, or he takes on the actions of the host.

For instance, in the Gospel of Mark when Jesus sits down and eats with the tax-collectors and their slaves, he takes on the role of the host.  The tax collectors and their slaves were in need of forgiveness, and loving acknowledgement.  The tax collectors could change their ways and follow Jesus, like Matthew, their slaves though, whom were prostitutes and the men who collected the rents by threat and muscle, could not change.  As property, the slaves could only exist until they died, so Jesus gave them the only thing he could.  He let them know they were still children of God worthy of care and love, by sitting down and sharing a meal with them.  Jesus hosted them at his table…his table of love.

There is also the example of when Jesus was at the home of the sisters Mary and Martha.  Though Martha is busy trying to meet her guests physical needs, it is Jesus whom acted as host.  He called Martha away from her housework to sit and join her sister Mary at his “table” of discipleship.  To sit at the feet of a Rabbi, was to sit as a disciple.  Jesus called Martha to put down her broom and follow him, and learn from him.

As host, we also remember Jesus preparing for his last Passover meal.  From finding the room, to washing his disciples feet to serving the bread and the wine, Jesus provided.  What did he provide?  He gave the disciples what was truly needed, himself, his body and blood, for the forgiveness of their sins.  No host can give more than that!

And lastly, let us remember Jesus calling to his followers in the fishing boat, the days after his resurrection to new life, inviting them to a breakfast upon the lakeshore.  During that meal Jesus gives Peter what he really needs, forgiveness for his denials, and a mission for the rest of his life.In each of these situations Jesus is the real host, he provides all that is needed, and even more.

So, let me ask, “Is Jesus the Host of your life?  Do you listen when he calls for you to sit, and learn?  Are you willing to eat what he offers,  the wine and the bread, his body and blood, for the forgiveness of your sins?”

Jesus wants to be your host.  He wants to provide for your true needs.  Jesus wants you to turn to him for everything, because he is all, and he offers you all…himself.  Seek to follow in faith, as Martha did, and know fulfillment, forgiveness, purpose and love in your life, today and always.  Amen.

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