John 2.2-11, Wedding at Cana

Weddings, those most beautiful and joyous occasions are wonderful, right up until something goes wrong! That was certainly the experience for those gathered to celebrate the couple being married in Cana, in Galilee (John 2.2-11). Fortunately, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a guest and she knew exactly what to do, her wisdom resonates through the years.

A wedding is not a bad metaphor for the life of church, they both should be joyful, life affirming, filled with grace and hope where all ages can gather and marvel at the gift of love. However, like our story in scripture, sometimes we can feel that the resources we have are running low and this can create stress and anxiety for those involved. When this happens, we have encouragement as we remember:

When the wine runs out, Jesus is already present.
Jesus didn’t just appear when the wine had run out— he was already there, long before the shortage was noticed. Similarly, Christ is clearly already present in the ministry of St John’s. There’s lots to be encouraged by, and the kingdom of God is clearly being expressed as good news for all as you seek to transform lives, grow the church and build communities. We often assume that renewal begins when we are ready, it doesn’t, the gospel says renewal begins when Jesus is present …and he already is.

When the wine runs out, God invites us into a different way of seeing.
Mary demonstrates exceptional wisdom when she told the servants to do exactly what Jesus told them. This act of faith opened the way to see six large stone water jars used for purification, ordinary objects, everyday resources, things people walked past without noticing, to be vehicles for something extraordinary. Sometimes, as churches consider their next chapter and begin to make plans for the future it can raise anxiety, because people feel they will have to do something new that will require energy and resources they just do not have. Renewal does not always come from something new. It often comes from seeing what God has already given us—differently, hopefully, expectantly, with a few tweaks to existing activities the missional impact of this church may be exponentially increased.

When the wine runs out, Jesus brings transformational hope.
John tells us that the water did not become wine through strategy or effort or clever planning. It became wine because of Jesus. And not just any wine, wine of excellence, wine of abundance. In the same way that ordinary water is drawn up through the mud of the earth into the vine and then into the grape before it is crushed and becomes vintage wine, so too we, ordinary people of the earth, can be transformed through the vine (which is Jesus) and become God’s love gift to the world, his missional church. A church of everyday faith disciples committed to making new missional disciples, others who can carry the story of Jesus to a needy world.

This is the heart of Christian hope: God’s future is better than God’s past. Even when we feel older, smaller, or weary—God is not finished with us! If you feel tired— you are in good company. The servants at the wedding were tired too. They still filled the jars. If you feel unsure— Mary was unsure too. She still trusted Jesus. If you feel your resources are small—the jars were empty too. Jesus still filled them with new life.

The One who stood at the wedding in Cana stands with this church still.

Gracious God, in your mercy and for your glory, renew us, reshape us, revive us – with generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love – that, in transformed lives, through growing church and building community, we may see your Kingdom come and be good news for all. Amen.

Rev Canon Matt Barnes
Director of Mission.