Jesus Knows How To Party

Dec. 12

John 2:1-12

Jesus Knows How To Party

“And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (v.4)

I had the privilege of officiating a wedding this weekend for two alumni from our bible school. It was such a sweet time to celebrate with them and watch them start off their marriage by inviting Jesus into it… to be at the center of their marriage…the same way that Christ had been at the center of their single lives. Todays reading from John recounts for us the story of Jesus’ very first miracle. It is the account of Jesus being invited to a couple’s wedding. What exactly does it look like to “invite Christ” to something, and what do we expect him to do when he shows up anyways?

INVITE JESUS TO THE PARTY

I don’t think the bride and groom from this account expected Jesus to perform any miracles as a guest. In fact, I am not sure anyone knew he was capable of doing these sorts of things at this point in the narrative. Jesus wasn’t invited there to do “magic tricks” - he was obviously invited because of relationship. Sometimes we forget that Christ desires relationship with us… not simply to show up and do “magic tricks” when we need him to! To invite Christ to something is to long for relationship with him. In particular, this wedding was a CELEBRATION. How often do we invite Christ to celebrate with us? Have we forgotten that he is the source of all things worth celebrating? As we celebrate during this season, let us remember to invite Jesus to the party. Prayerfully welcome him in. The truth is that he is already there…what is required of us is a sensitivity and longing for his presence. There is unique blessing for those who invite him to share in the celebration.

THE TIME HAS COME

Jesus makes a fascinating comment to his mother when told about the wine problem, “…what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (v.4) Most people do not realize this, but Jesus was as dependent on the Heavenly Father to do miracles as anyone of us is. Jesus indeed did “empty himself and take on the form of a man.” (cf. Phil. 2) Miracles only come in God’s timing. If Jesus simply walked around with “super powers”, then it would have been withholding of him to talk this way. But Jesus was dependent on the Father, trusting that it was the Father working THROUGH HIM to work these signs and miracles.

The rest of the story reveals something shocking…evidently Jesus found out from the Father that it actually WAS time to work this sign. Jesus was not expecting this to be a part of the wedding party, but the Father had something else in store. Do we expect the Father to work through us as his children? Are we possibly mistaken about when and where the Father wants to work the miraculous? When this “problem” was brought to Jesus’ attention, he answered his mother from his own understanding of the situation - but I think immediately after he asked his Father (Heavenly Father) and then HE told him otherwise. Do we ask the Father immediately when we face a problem? Do we have room for a solution that could only come from God? Jesus did not expect to perform any miracles that night, but God had something else in store for him… and look at the way this sign was such a blessing to everyone else there.

AN OUTSIDE VOICE

It was Jesus’ mother who came to him with this request. (v.3) This is powerful in two ways. First, it models for us the practice of coming to Jesus with our problems… our concerns. Secondly, it is important because God used someone else (in this case Mary) to lead Jesus into participating in this first miracle! God uses others to lead us into participation with him in his divine plan and purpose. When people bring their problems to us, maybe it is an opportunity for us to experience God working on their behalf… and using us as a part of the solution. Mary knows that Jesus is going to do something… she trusts that he will ACT. This is why she walks off simply telling the servants… “do whatever he tells you to!” (v.5) Are we approaching Christ to ask him to work on behalf of others? Do we take action, directed by the Father, and make movement when needs are brought to us? Both of these truths are wrapped up in Mary’s asking.

ONLY THE SERVANTS KNOW WHAT HAPPENED

The servants would have represented the “lowest ranked” people at the party. The spotlight was obviously NOT on them. What is wild is that they are the ones who get to experience this miracle. Read the account again. Look for who is “in the know”. (v.9) Those in the lowest places have the unique privilege of experiencing God’s miracles. They are by no means the only people who do…but it is worth noting that they are some oft he FIRST to see Jesus work this way. When we are servants of the Lord, we get to experience him work miraculously and powerfully for the blessing and joy of others. Jesus’ miracle made the wedding host look good. How crazy is that. Jesus is willing to work in a way that blesses someone else… he leaves the spotlight on the bride and groom that night… he doesn’t make a spectacle of it all… but lets a few choice people in on the secret. The lowest people most often have a front row seat to God’s miraculous work. I bet Jesus’ mom was proud that evening… she knew the kind work that her son had done.

GLORY AND BELIEF

This miracle kicks of Jesus’ ministry in a way. He begins with a celebration and a blessing for others. The end result of this work is that his glory is “manifested” (made known, tangible, and present) and that his disciples grew in trust and “believing”. (v.11) This is what happens when we invite, pray, listen, act, and depend on the Father. The glory of Christ is made manifest and our belief grows. This is the victorious life found in Christ. This is a picture of what the Lord calls us into.

Jesus’ time had in fact come. It actually was his time to start working signs that pointed to he and the Father being one. Maybe Jesus was even a little surprised at the first miracle his Father had him do… caught off-guard by the setting and what the miracle itself was. Are you ready for the Lord to show up in unexpected ways at unexpected places? Maybe we will be surprised at how and when the Lord shows up for us this season? This season, remember to invite Jesus to the party! Keep your eyes and ears open for the work that God is doing. Love you guys. - JDP