334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005  Fax - (785) 379-5061

Contact Us: | E-mail | Map & Directions

Bring on the good stuff! John 2:1-11 The host, obviously a prominent citizen of Cana, has invited many people to the wedding. Being a good host, determined to make a great impression upon all of the guests, he was going to really do it right – lots of food to eat, and lots of wine to drink. In fact, he brought in far more food and drink than he thought might be needed. After all, it would be most embarrassing to come up short. (We understand that, don’t we? We generally have an excess of food and drink at our parties too, do we not?) Well, apparently it was hot on that day in Cana. Folks had come from far and wide, walking on those dusty roads, and they were thirsty, really thirsty. And so it happens – the wine runs out, horror of horrors! I don’t know why or how Jesus’ mother gets involved in the issue, but it is she and not the host who informs Jesus that the wine has run out. Notice what Jesus says to his mom! Basically he says to her: So? Now we all know that is not a good thing, or a smart thing, to say to your own mother. What does she do? She gives Jesus a look – you know the look, the one only your mother can give you – and then she turns right to the servants and tells them: He’ll take care of it for you!  And of course, Jesus does so (he was very, very smart.) Not only does he make more wine (6 stone jars full, some 150+ gallons - I told you it was a big party!), he makes wine that was far better than the stuff they ran out of! No more Mogan David wine, but the best of the best is now served. “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11, NRSV) Quite a party! We’re not told what happens after the new wine is served, but we can use our imaginations. What we are told is that this was the first of Jesus’ ‘signs’. This well known story about the wedding at Cana is not merely about Jesus performing a miracle, a magic trick. That would hardly be a sign of Jesus’ glory! It’s not a story about creating lots of wine on which guests could overindulge. The story may be seen as a parable of Jesus’ ministry. Shortage is turned to excess, and the ordinary water is turned into extraordinary wine. All the guests, with no one being left out, are invited to partake of a  wine which will never stop flowing. Multitudes are served in abundance, and the wine intoxicates only with the spirit of God in Jesus. Jesus’ time had arrived, his ministry had begun, and his disciples believed and followed. You and I are at the party, and we’re plenty thirsty, and we want to quench that thirst. The wine is still flowing, you know. So - bring on the good stuff, the best stuff, the ever-flowing love.   - Pastor Piet - January 14, 2007 (please read the scripture passage in its entirety!)