1-19-25 “From Empty to Overflowing”

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“From Empty to Overflowing”

I want to start with something funny that I found on an internet site: Father O’Malley was driving down to Boston on Christmas Eve when got stopped for speeding in Medford. The highway patrol officer smelled alcohol on the priest’s breath and then saw an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car at the church outreach event. He said, ‘Father, have you been drinking?’ ‘Only water’, replied Father O’Malley. The policeman asked, ‘Then how come I can smell wine?’ The priest looked at the bottle and said, ‘Good Lord! He’s done it again.’

In today’s scripture, we find Jesus at a wedding in Cana. Weddings are moments of celebration, joy, and community. But this story isn’t just about a miraculous provision of wine; it’s a deeper revelation of who Jesus is and what He came to do. Let’s explore the powerful truths from this passage.

The Gospel of John is structured around seven miracles, or “signs,” each chosen to reveal Jesus’ divine authority and mission. These include:

1. Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
2. Healing the official’s son (John 4:46-54).
3. Healing the paralyzed man at Bethesda (John 5:1-15).
4. Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-14).
5. Walking on water (John 6:16-21).
6. Healing the man born blind (John 9:1-41).
7. Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44).

The first of these signs, turning water into wine, might seem less urgent compared to healing the sick or feeding the hungry. Yet, it holds profound meaning.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose this as His first miracle? To understand, we must remember His mission. Mark’s Gospel reminds us, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Similarly, John 3:16 explains God’s purpose: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

How does a wedding relate to salvation and eternal life? Revelation 19:7-9 describes eternal life as “the wedding of the Lamb,” with Jesus as the bridegroom and faithful believers as His bride. The wedding at Cana foreshadows this heavenly celebration.

As Christians, we’ve accepted His invitation to this divine wedding. Our lives, even now, should reflect the joy of that eternal celebration. The Apostle Paul encourages us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Yet, if our lives feel less like a wedding feast and more like an empty banquet, we must ask: what holds us back? What “empty jars” do we need to bring to Jesus today?

The wine at Cana symbolizes more than celebration—it represents Jesus’ sacrificial love, poured out for us. Just as we remember His love through the wine and bread in communion, the abundance of wine at the wedding reminds us that life in Christ is abundant and eternal.

However, the wine ran out at the wedding party. Without wine, the celebration could not continue, and joy would give way to anxiety, worry, and challenges. Before the steward even noticed, Jesus’ mother saw the need and said to Him, “They have no wine.” Pay close attention to Jesus’ response: “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” At first, His reply might seem puzzling. Why would Jesus respond this way? Consider His perspective—He was on a divine mission. As a guest, what role could He play at the wedding? His statement reflects His awareness of timing and purpose: “What concern is that to you and to me? It is not my time yet.” Despite this, Jesus’ mother turned to the servants and said, “Do whatever He tells you.” Mary understood that Jesus was more than a guest—He was the master of the situation. She invited Him to take center stage.

Jesus then instructed the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” Without hesitation, they obeyed. Next, He said, “Take it to the chief steward.” Again, the servants followed His instructions. When the steward tasted the water, now turned into wine, he found it to be the finest wine of the celebration.

Mary’s invitation to Jesus to take the lead, combined with the servants’ obedience, paved the way for His first recorded miracle. This moment teaches us a profound truth: faith is often revealed through simple acts of obedience and an invitation to make Jesus the center of our lives.

Are you rejoicing in your life, or are you weighed down by anxieties and worries? Will you invite Jesus to be at the center of your life? Are you ready to follow His call, even when it feels unconventional or inconvenient? Remember, faith is not just belief—it’s action.

When the wine ran out, joy turned to worry. But Mary, noticing the lack, turned to Jesus and invited Him to take charge. Her faith and the servants’ obedience opened the way for a miracle.

Their simple faith led to the transformation of water into wine—the finest wine, exceeding all expectations. This miracle isn’t just about meeting needs; it’s about transformation. Jesus turns emptiness into abundance, despair into joy, and ordinary water into extraordinary wine.

The message is clear: Jesus doesn’t just fill what’s lacking—He overflows it with His grace and love. This story invites us to ask: Are we willing to invite Jesus into the center of our lives? Will we trust Him with our needs, even when His instructions seem unconventional? Are we ready to act in faith, no matter how small or simple the task?

As we reflect on the wedding at Cana, let’s remember that Jesus turns our emptiness into abundance. Trust Him with your “empty jars,” whether they represent fear, pain, or uncertainty. Respond in obedience, and let Him transform your life.

This week, think about the areas in your life or community where joy is running low. How can you invite Jesus into those spaces? Trust that He will work in ways that are both miraculous and life-changing. Thanks be to God. Amen!