Second Sunday in Epiphany – Sermon 261

7th January 2019 Off By Derek

Second Sunday in Epiphany

10.00am HC CW.
17th January 2016


Prayer to start 

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ                  AMEN

INTRODUCTION

If you go to a wedding here’s what it means

No one wears trainers- no one wears jeans

Your best clothes are all that you wear

And everyone in your whole family is there

Even some cousins you’ve never known

And the grown-ups all say “Oh how much you’ve grown”

Then all of a sudden- things quieten down

The music starts playing – the people turn around

And really slowly – the bride walks in

Who’s prettier now that she’s ever been

She walks in and stands with her dad for a while

While her husband to be waits in the aisle

hair all combed and wearing a tie

The bride’s mum starts to sniffle and cry

The vicar says now- we are ready to start

And its time for the “get-married” part

They say their vows and put on some rings

And talk and promise each other some things

They promise they’ll love each other a lot

And help one another no matter what

And be with each other the rest of their life

And the vicar says “Now your husband and wife”

Then everyone is in such a happy mood

You go off to a party and have some food

Where you dance with some grown-ups who drink some wine- and then do a conga dance in a long line –

Then the bride and groom drive off in a car

And everyone’s thinking how happy they are

So we all say goodbye and throw handfuls of rice

Then the whole thing is over.  Weddings are nice.

Weddings are nice – And we certainly enjoyed being invited guests at my nephew’s wedding in Kent last year- where we met a whole host of relatives we had not seen before

apart from the sudden downpour – on the morning of the wedding  – which meant all the photographs – had to be taken inside the church – everything went smoothly

Point 1        

The story in our Gospel reading is about a wedding in Cana – in which Jesus and his disciples were invited guests

Weddings – in Israel – at that time -were long celebrations – often lasting several days – not the 40-60 minute ceremonies we have today – and whole villages were sometimes invited –  

And – Instead of getting married and going off on honeymoon – by themselves – The couple were expected to stay for the week-long feast – laid on by the groom’s parents – who had to provide – all the food and drink – for the families and guests –

So – for the first week of their married life – the couple were surrounded – by their friends and neighbours – and probably their in-laws – watching their every move

But at this wedding the couple had an even bigger problem – the wine was running out –

For the Groom and his family – this was not just a social nightmare – if there was no wine to offer – it would be taken as a very serious insult to their invited guests – and a bad start to the marriage –

To the Jews – wine – symbolized joy –and when the wine runs out – the party stops – so there would be a lot of anxiety behind the scenes – wondering what everyone was going to say – when the wine finally dried up-

I’m sure you’ve heard the story of the very nervous bride – who went to see the rector for some reassurance – a few days before her wedding day – He calmed her fears by encouraging her to focus on three things in the service –

first he said – you need to focus on the aisle  – because the service begins as you walk down it – next – you need to focus on the altar – because you will be led up to it – for the wedding prayers – and third – the hymn – because during that we shall go over and sign the register –

The girl went home relieved  – and feeling much happier  – but imagine how the groom felt  – on their wedding day – when he heard his bride coming down the aisle – towards him muttering under her breath – “Aisle – Altar – Hymn” – “Aisle – Altar – Hymn” – “Aisle – Altar – Hymn”

When we admit – there is a problem – then we have a chance to do something about it – and search for someone to help us find a solution –

Mary knew there was a problem – and embarrassing or not – she took the problem to Jesus – 

Point 2         Bring the problem to Jesus

The family may not have shown a lot of wisdom – in planning the arrangements – but they did – invite Jesus – to the wedding – and His very presence – opened up the possibility of a miracle.

When – Jesus was told the wine had run out – His response towards Mary was not however – what we might have expected –

 “Woman, what concern is that to you and me – my Hour has not yet come” –

Jesus’ abrupt reply – was to remind Mary – that she no longer had first call on His life – His heavenly Father not His earthly mother – was now managing His time and actions

Jesus’ ultimate mission is the cross and resurrection and nothing must divert Him from these

When we ask God to do certain things in our lives – It can sometimes seem – that we’ve been given a negative response – but we should remember – that God doesn’t necessarily do things our way – or in our time –

Inviting Jesus – to our party makes it possible for things to happen – but they will only happen when Jesus – is given complete control –

But there is one prayer that Jesus will always answer with a “yes” as soon as it is offered – the prayer for forgiveness – Jesus died on the cross – so that our sins – can be forgiven –so that we can be reconciled back with God –

Because of the life and death of Jesus – we will always be offered a new start – with Him and with the Father –

Point 3         Do whatever He tells you

Mary tells the servants to – “do whatever He tells you” –

The family had 6 large stone water-jars – and the water in them – was used to symbolically wash hands and feet – as part of the Jewish purification ceremony –this would be performed – several times during the wedding feast –

This washing – however – did nothing to clean the people physically or spiritually – It was merely a ceremonial rite – required by Jewish law.

Jesus chose these water pots – because they represented the ritual of the Old Covenant – which had become meaningless – now that He is here –

Today – our ceremonies too are of no use to God – unless they are accompanied by a response inside as well as out – when we come to church – God wants us to listen to – and obey God’s Spirit as He speaks to us – put into practice the things – we hear and learn – so that our presence and prayers will be a joy to Him – and serve to strengthen our relationship with Him –

The miracle starts – when – like the servants – we are prepared to listen and act – on His word –

The servants – filled the stone jars – to the brim – Each holding around 20 gallons of water – yielding much more wine than would ever be consumed at a wedding –

After the servants had filled the jars – He tells them to draw off the water now changed to wine – and take it to the master of the banquet for him to taste.

And when he tasted it – it was – better than anything he had ever tasted before.  He hailed the bridegroom and said “Everyone else serves the best wines first … but you have saved the best wines till now”

There will be times when the wine runs out in our lives – when we will feel things are out of control –and we feel vulnerable and helpless –

Inviting Jesus in –and allowing Him to meet our needs and solve our problems– will change all that

Mary’s initial request to Jesus was fulfilled – but not in her timing or in her way – the result however was far more than she ever expected –

we too need to faithfully trust in Jesus to meet our needs – and concerns  – and like the wine at the wedding feast – be ready to receive His abundant grace when He provides it

Conclusion            Commit yourself to Him

Marriage signals a new beginning – a new life – of love and commitment together for the bride and bridegroom – 

This wedding miracle – would not have occurred – without Jesus’ presence – Mary’s prayer – or the willingness of the servants to do whatever He commanded them to do.

But – the real reason – for the miracle was not to change the water into wine – but “to reveal Jesus’ glory – and lead His disciples to believe in Him”

There may be no such thing as a perfect wedding but there is such a thing as a perfect ending – and that’s what Jesus promises – if we are willing to commit ourselves to Him.

The new wine is being poured – out – now –for us today – to taste and accept it– are we ready to come forward – to the bridegroom – and say “I will”

Prayer to Finish

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

AMEN