Last night we discussed the favorite Jesus story of anyone who ever hosted a wedding (John 2). Jesus goes to a wedding in Cana. The wedding party runs out of wine, which would be embarrassing anywhere and a cultural disaster in that day.

Jesus’ mother tells the kitchen help to follow Jesus (not a bad instruction at any party, right?). Jesus seems to roll his eyes at his mom, then tells the servers to fill six jars with water. The Lord of all things then miraculously changed the water into wine. Problem solved, wedding reception back in business.

Wine symbolizes God'skindness

The jars were big - the typical wedding feast wine jar held around 25 gallons. We do not know why they needed so much wine, or why they ran out. Perhaps the guests drank too much; maybe wedding crashers drank too much; maybe the wedding planner did not plan well; perhaps the family was stingy, or they bought all they could afford and it was not enough. Don’t know the cause, just know they had a problem they could not fix. We do, however, know the result - they were caught short. They were feeling the pinch.

Is it not terribly odd that Jesus would jump into the wine distribution business? The story tells us not only did Jesus make wine, he made the best wine - what else would we expect? Not grape juice or lemon water, but 4-star vino.

If Jesus is the perfect representation of the Father, what is the picture of God that Jesus paints here? Gracious, I think. Jesus shows us a God who provides when we fail. Evidently, God is a great wedding guest; he gives lavishly. I like the picture, don’t you? (Glad I invited him to my wedding, too.)

Wine symbolizes Christ's blood, . . . which still symbolizes God's kindness

I wonder if wine at the wedding - Christ’s first miracle - was a purposeful hint at his last use of wine to represent his blood on the cross. God's kindness was to pour out Christ's blood for human sin. The symbol of wine for blood is self evident, but Jesus connected the dots at the Last Supper. I think he gave us water/wine at Cana to foreshadow wine/blood at Calvary. Jesus was the smartest man who ever lived. He knew what he was doing at Cana.

Second, Jesus often used the wedding as a metaphor for his union between himself and all believers. He gives us a joyful celebratory event to show what life with him is really like. Living in Christ’s presence is like a big, happy Jewish wedding with gallons of high quality wine. Wow, I do not remember that image in Sunday School or Seminary, but I like it.

Our members enjoyed the discussion of Cana and communion. Geoff wondered if Christ used the common elements (bread, wine) because they were always on the first century table. Jesus demonstrates that he is always with us by using something that’s always . . . with us.

Tori wondered if the elements were chosen because so that underground churches could meet underground. Church police cannot stop a group from meeting if their meetings center on normal stuff like bread and wine. Amazing how God wants the church to stay simple, isn't it?

From Cana, we get the picture of a God who cares about everything. He wants the party to continue. He provides a lavish gift to help it along.

In communion, we see a symbol of the same kind of lavish gift giving. We cannot keep life going. We cannot undo our terrible mistake (our sin) whatever its original cause. God provides his son’s blood. He will do anything to keep the party going. Wonder what he might do to help you out.