Conversations at a Wedding

Today we want to unpack an incredible narrative that I believe God uses to set the tone of the Gospel and the entire New Testament, which serves as a component of the whole story of God throughout the entirety of scripture. I love how the first miracle that Jesus performs is in a social setting, at a wedding. Simply put, God moves in community and around The Table. (Fish and loaves, Lords Table)

Let’s look at the text:

(ESV) — 1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

The Miracle of Weddings

This miracle is the first that Jesus performs and God uses it to establish a ministry that perfectly frames His character and nature. Miracles are meant to serve as tangible moments when heaven intersects with earth. When you think about it, it is a miracle whenever there is a wedding that goes according to planned. The average cost of weddings is approximately $30k, not to mention all of the emotions and drama. Maegan was late to our wedding...

Let’s talk about some of the things we see here:

God Cares

God cares about the things we care about. One would believe that Jesus would have jumped straight to raising the dead, but He chose to get involved in something as personal as a wedding.

Jesus was invited!

What are some areas where you have seen God get involved in your life? God cares about the detail...even the hairs ()

The areas where we need God the most are also the areas where we give Him the least access.

Running on fumes

The text explains that the wine ran out. This was a social catastrophe. Running out of wine was almost seen as an omen because throughout scripture wine is synonyms with joy. So the couple ran out of joy before they even made it to the honeymoon. (I will talk about social pressure to be perfect: pastor, mom, dad, businessman, student, etc. We can all chip in on this part) We all have seasons where it feels like we are running low. Time, energy, hope, joy.

Let’s talk about a period when there was a deficit in your life. (This is where campus pastors will share stories around the idea of running out. It can be funny, relevant, relatable)

Maegan share around season of school while being wife, mom, pastor on staff etc.

Even when we run out, God shows us that He is more than enough. (This is where I will encourage around God’s faithfulness) When God is your source, you will see that you have more than enough. As the children of Israel wondered for 40 years in the wilderness, scripture tells us God sustained them to the point that even their clothes didn’t wear out.

(ESV) — 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.

When God tells you to wait

Jesus’ initial response is “it is not my time”. In other words, wait. This seems to be a theme that we all have heard our entire lives…wait.

Have you ever had to wait before? (CP’s share around having to wait: could be funny, serious, relatable)

What do you do while you are waiting? (Everyone chips in on this)

I will encourage around God’s timing and patience:

Weight (burdens)

Wait (patience)

Wait (obedience)

Look at what you have...LEFT

Jesus takes vessels and has them filled to the top and turns it into wine. The miracle is in what you have, not what you lost. (Widow with oil, Fish and loaves…)

Have you ever seen God work a miracle with a small act of obedience? (CP’s share a miracle story)

Maegan shares about season of car accident and being out of work and how God sustained us.

The best is ahead

The new wine was better than the first batch. When God gets involved, it only makes things better.

This entire miracle is about transformation. Transformation is a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

It seems the ingredients for a move of God is: RECOGNITION, SURRENDER, OBEDIENCE.

(This is where I will conclude the “message” and lead us to a response. Worship can join us and I will pray us out)*

CP’s take over the service.

*Not sure what exit strategy would be best.

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