Water into Wine

Yesterday (25th July 2010) I gave my first talk at Granborough church. It was a strange time, I have stood before those people and performed magic as a child, as a youth and as a professional, I've lead parts of the service and served communion - but I had never spoken before. Not given my thoughts on parts of the Bible, not been responsible for the teaching.

I looked out upon the congregation and I was struck by how many of the people sitting there had been an intergral part of my Christian life. Alison, my church youth leader, her daughters, some of my earliest Christian friends and role models, Andy, the vicar I had announced to 12 years ago that some day I was also going to be a vicar and a man that was now helping me through the selection process to make good on my word. Doing my first talk amongst friends and neighbors was both a comfort but also added pressure. Not to mention the bittersweet reminder that in September 2010 i'll be moving on.

I started with a trick. I thought it would be a good plan to start within my comfort zone and then work out of it. I performed a trick that I did not normally do but the polished professional came through and managed to perform it to an acceptable standard. It was not until I started my 'sermon' that the nerves kicked in. So, what did I say? Here it is:

When I was first asked to speak about the first miracle of Jesus, turning the water into wine, I didn't have a clue where to begin. I re-read the story and naturally started to compare the events in John 2 to the other miracles of Christ.

In the grand scheme of things the water into wine miracle does not seem to be that special. It is certainly not on the same scale as Jesus having control over the elements and calming the storm, or holding dominion over the natural world by walking on water and healing the sick. It did not affect thousands of people like the feeding of the 5000 did and nor did it show power over death like the raising of Lazarus.

But what it does show is that Jesus Christ is the king of transformation. Nothing you can put before him cannot be changed by his command. It gives a hint to what is to come - that at the end of his life he will transform sinners into saints by his death upon the cross. The water used in the miracle did not come from jars intended for drinking but from ceremonial washing jars. Perhaps showing that out of the old laws and ancient practices Jesus was coming in glory and transforming a new kingdom of God. He took something ceremonial and made it into something celebratory.

There is, however, a point within the story that I feel is more important. Simply that is showed the true nature of Christ. Again he was presented with an oppertunity where he could have stood before the Bridal party, the master of ceremoinies, his family and friends and all the guests and made a flamboyant display of his power. Jesus chose not to. He acted quietly and without a fuss, so much so that when the wine was presented to the host of the party he did not even know where it had come from.

But the servants knew. He had decided to show his glory and power to those in the very lowest position - very much in keeping with his birth in a humble stable in Bethlehem in the company of lowly shepherds brought in from the hillsides. Once again Jesus demonstrates he is the servant king, the first come last and the last come first. Building a new kingdom of God from the ground up.

However, I did not believe that we can write off the fact that Jesus assisted in a difficult situation of a family friend, one that could have caused great embarrassment and diminished community standing if word got around that the wine ran out and the guests were not provided for, simply because his mother asked him to help. In doing so he honoured her and gave glory to his heavenly father - giving faith to those that followed him.