Sermon Archives

January 17, 2010
Pastor Dan Selbo

"Are You Paying Attention to the Signs?"
John 2:1-11

                     Dear Friends, greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.

            Signs can make all the difference in the world. Paying attention to the signs can make all the difference in your life.

            I still remember when it happened. I was nineteen at the time, not too many years into my driving career. We were traveling with a group of young adults (from here at the church) to eat dinner in San Francisco and to spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf, when we were finished.

            Now, it’s not a good excuse, but it was one of the first times I’d driven in San Francisco and the girl I was dating at the time (who would years later become my wife) was in the car. So I probably wasn’t thinking as much about the road as I should have been.

            I still remember it. We were coming into the city (not far from where we were to get off), and the sign said “one-half mile to the last San Francisco exit.”

            Now, you’d think that would have triggered something (important) to the driver. But I was nineteen (at the time) and I was convinced that there was still one more exit after that. I actually think it was Mary who suggested that I take that first exit, but I was convinced that there was another.

            Now, it might have been the first time, but it certainly would not be the last, when I failed to listen to what she had to say, and turned out to be wrong. (But that’s the subject for another sermon.) Less than a minute later, we were on the Bay Bridge, taking (what you might call) “the scenic route” on our way to dinner in San Francisco.

            Now, it all turned out all right. We made it to dinner. We had a great time. And she still married me (eleven years later). But I learned a lesson I’ll never forget. And that is that it’s important to pay attention to the signs. It’s important to pay attention to the signs.

            Let’s turn to our story. The story we read today, taken from the second chapter of John’s gospel, is a story that is as simple and straightforward as they come. It’s the story about Jesus and his disciples, (being invited to a wedding celebration) in Cana, in which the wine (for the celebration) runs out. And it’s a story that’s filled with signs that are important (to pay attention to) in life.

            Now, in those days (and in that culture), the celebration of a wedding was a big deal, even more so than it is today (in our culture). The celebration would often last for several days. And so, (in the story) when the wine runs out, it wasn’t simply a matter of sending people home. They were there, and they were in the midst of the celebration, and there was no way (in their culture) to call it off.

            And so, (in the story), you remember what happens. Mary (Jesus’ mother) tells him about the situation, he calls for the stewards to fill a number of stone jars. And then, before anyone was even aware of what was happening, it happened. Those stones jars (that were once filled with water), were now filled with some of the best wine they’d ever tasted. And the party continued. And everyone was happy. And hardly anyone was even aware.

            Now, before going too far (this morning) into the story (and what it might have to say to us), let’s talk for a moment about the placement (of the story), in John’s gospel, as well as in this season of the church year. Because both have some significance in understanding what the story’s all about.

            First, in terms of the season, this story comes at a time (in the church year) we call Epiphany. Epiphany is a time when we read stories that help us understand who Jesus is and why he came into our world. They’re stories that “reveal” something about Jesus, that “make known” (to us) why it is he came.

            Last week it was the story of his baptism (in the river Jordan) and the revelation, through his Father’s voice, that he was the Son of God. This week it’s the wedding in Cana and the first (of a number of miracles) that help “make known” to us who he really is. In terms of the season (of the year), its placement is significant. It’s a time of “revealing” and “making known” (to the world) and to us, the person (and power) of Jesus Christ. (That’s the season.)

            In terms of its placement in John’s gospel (and its significance in the overall story), two things are worth mentioning. First, is that fact that coming (as it does) at the beginning of the gospel, we’re given a glimpse (through this story) into what’s to follow. Because, what’s to follow, all throughout the gospel, are a series of stories in which Jesus speaks (and acts) on more than one level at a time. And it begins in this story (of the wedding celebration) in Cana.

            Just think about it. On the surface, it’s a story about Jesus turning water into wine. But on another level (a deeper level), it’s a story that has a lot to say about life, and about what Jesus has to offer (to all of us) in life.

            And that same pattern (if you follow the gospel through) will continue in the stories that follow. The story of Nicodemus (and the importance of being born again). The story of the woman at the well, who was given (more to drink) than she had ever expected. Jesus’ teaching about (him being) the Bread of Life. The healing of the blind man. The raising of Lazarus. They’re all stories that have one meaning (on the surface) and an even deeper (and greater) meaning hidden beneath. That’s the first thing worth mentioning.

            The second is the fact that this story (of the wedding at Cana) and the miracle of changing water into wine is the first of several miracles (in John’s gospel) in which the true identity of Jesus (who he is and what difference he can make in life) is revealed. In fact, John doesn’t even refer to these events as miracles. He talks about them (instead) as signs. They’re events (he says) that point beyond themselves. And this (water-into-wine event) is the first of seven signs (in John’s gospel) that point beyond themselves to something greater. And it’s that “something greater” that can make all the difference (in the world) in your life.

            Are you paying attention to the signs? That’s the question we’re asking this morning. Are you watching what Jesus has done (and is doing), and what the signs (in his life and ministry) are all about? Because signs can make all the difference in the world. Paying attention to the signs can make all the difference in your life.

            You know, it’s interesting to listen to some of the conclusions people draw (about Jesus) without ever really looking at and (thinking about) who he is and what he’s done. Go to the mall (or out on the street) and take a survey, and the response (to who Jesus is) and to what difference he can make (in life) is all over the map.

            Now, times have changed, but not people. The things people say (about Jesus) today are not much different from what was being said (about him) back then. (We’ve said this before.) Some say he was a good teacher. Some say he was a prophet, sent from God. Some say he was a miracle worker, or a good leader, or an example on how to live.

            And (you know) there’s some truth in all of that. Jesus was (and is) all of those things (and more). But what do the signs say (about Jesus)? And what do the signs tell us about what he has to say (and can do) for us?

            Today’s story is filled with signs. And those signs are there for a reason. And (every one of them) points to something we need to see.

            Take (for example) the simple fact that Jesus is attending the wedding. It’s probably so obvious that it’s hardly worth mentioning. But the fact is that he was. And he was not just attending, but he was celebrating. (Just think about it.) The wine runs out, and what does he do? He creates more than a hundred gallons more!

            Now, don’t push that “sign” in the wrong direction. One of the accusations (made about Jesus) later on (by the religious leaders) was that he was glutton and a drunkard. (And this first miracle might have had something to do with the conclusion they’d drawn.) Be careful about what you see in the sign.

            But what’s the “popular notion” these days about the Christian faith and life? For many people (if there’s a hesitancy about becoming a follower) it’s tied to the idea that becoming a Christian brings an end to all of your enjoyment.

            “Let me do what I need to do in life (they say), get what I can out of life, and then I’ll start following Jesus (later on in my life).” The implication is that following Jesus brings an end to your life (at least to the enjoyment in your life).

            But what did Jesus say about life? He said, “I came that you might have life, and that you might have it in abundance.” The Bible says that (in Jesus) the Christian life gives us “a foretaste of the feast to come.” (The exact opposite of what so many people think.)

            Now, let me ask you a question. But have you ever had the wine run out in your life? Have you ever had a time (in your life) when the things you had planned (for your life) didn’t turn out (in your life) like you had planned?

            Of course you have. It happens to all of us, (even in the church). I’ve had all kinds of plans for my life that have never materialized in my life as I had planned. And I’ve had (as equally as many) plans that have, that have never turned out to be what I had thought.

            But the plans God has had for my life, have never let me down. And the plans God has for my life (and for yours), never will.

            And so you tell me? What’s the sign telling us? Is it to get all you can (out of life) before you start following Jesus? And to make as many plans as you can, before God starts messing with your life? Or is it that there might be a better plan for your life (than you now realize), and that you’ll never understand life (and really know what it means to live) until you begin to follow?

            Are you paying attention to the signs? Are you watching what the signs are all about? (That’s one sign.) Let me give you another. And again, it’s (somewhat) obvious. But it’s a sign easily missed.

            Remember the conversation? Jesus’ mother tells him that the wine has run out. Jesus tells his mother that “his time had not yet come.” Do you remember what Mary said to the servants? She said, “Do whatever he tells you.” She said, “Do whatever he says.”

            And so what happens? They do what he says. And no one knows how it happens. And no one has a clue as to what caused it to take place. But it does. And it will. And not just with wine, but in your life.

            “Do whatever he tells you.” (That’s where it all starts.) “Do whatever he says” (and God just might do something miraculous for you).

            Now, (I realize) that it’s not (always) that easy. And we need to be careful (whenever we talk about miracles), because God is doing miraculous things all around us (every day).

            In fact, we’re starting a study (this weekend) in one of C. S. Lewis’ books called “Mere Christianity.” Years ago, he wrote a series of essays, one of which was titled “Miracles.” In it he says, that “the miracles of Jesus are nothing less than the ongoing creativity of God.”  (He says) “The miracles in the Bible are a retelling in small letters of the same story that is written across the world in large letters for us to see.” In other words, the miracles of God are happening all around us, and so we should never be surprised when something miraculous in life comes our way.

            Now, (again), you tell me. But how many people wait (first), for a sign of God’s faithfulness in their life, before they take that step of faith? “Give me a sign (first),” they say. “Show me you care. Help me to believe (and then I will).”

            But instead, the sign comes when they “Do what he tells them” and they “Do whatever he says.” And they did. And it happened. And it can and it will for you.

            Are you paying attention to the signs? Are you watching what the signs are all about? (This story is filled with signs.) And each of the signs points to something greater than itself.

            Let me give you one final sign, and it has to do with the quality of the wine itself. (Remember the story?) When Jesus told the servants to draw some of the water from the jars and bring it to the master, and when the master tasted the water (now become wine) and sent for the bridegroom, remember what he said? He said, “Everyone brings out the best wine first, and then the (less expensive) wine, after the guests have had much to drink. But you” (he said) “have saved the best until now.”

            We began today by talking about the placement of this story in the season of Epiphany. It’s a story that reveals who Jesus is and that makes known what his life on this earth was all about. And we said that its placement in John’s gospel gives us a sense of what’s (later on) to follow.

            And so what follows this story? And what (came before) this story ever happened? What came before was the story leading up to Jesus - the Old Testament, the prophets, Moses and the law. And then there was John the Baptist, who pointed the people to Christ. And what follows is the story of Jesus, and his life, and his death, and (three days later) his resurrection from the dead.

            Now, take the placement in John’s gospel (giving us a sense of what’s to follow) and put it alongside of the words in the story that the best has been saved until now” and what do you get? You get (yet) another sign of what God was working to accomplish in his Son, and (yet) another sign of what’s he’s promising (in Jesus) for us.

            And so, (in closing today), let’s ask the question one last time. “Are you paying attention to the signs? Are you watching what the signs are all about?”

            Because (like it or not), signs are important. They can make all the difference in your life. Because the wine’s going to run out, and Jesus came to give you life. And so do whatever he says, because the best has been saved until now.

            And so come and eat. Come and drink. Yet one more sign of the abundant life God has given to us in Christ. Amen.