Texts for Sunday January 17, 2016Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
During my medical leave this January, I will post the assigned texts for Sunday. You are invited to read the texts and reflect on them. Please share your comments in the section below.
John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (NRSV)
Seems like a strange story for the Gospels…what does it mean for us?
The Gospel of John holds seven "signs" that “reveal his glory” (v.11) so that people will believe in Jesus and receive life (John 21:25).
Where do you see “glory” or “life” in these verses?
Earlier in John (1:16), he talked about Jesus bringing “grace upon grace”. Where do you see grace here?
One jar full of wine (we are talking BIG jars-20-30 gallons: think kegger) would have been enough, why then do six?
Robert Brearley writes about this text: "God does not want our religion to be too holy to be happy in". Have you ever felt this all was too holy to be happy?
Notice how mom pushes Jesus into this even though it is not the right moment. Even Jesus can be surprised by a change of plans. Have you ever felt that God needed some prodding?