Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Everyone loves a good feast. It’s the joke that has much truth to it, “the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Put food in front of people and generally, people will have a good time. Food is like a universal language in that way. We all need to eat and it’s better to eat with others than alone. This is why celebrations are often centered around food also, particularly wedding receptions. The wedding feast is an integral part of the wedding day for most couples because it’s the couple’s time to spend with their guests.

The biggest thing, then, that ruins these feasts is a problem with the food and drink. It is hard to have a feast if there is no food or no drink. When we invite people to a feast, to a wedding reception, or other events centered around food, there is a social expectation concerning the food.

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus gets invited to a wedding feast. It was true in ancient Israel also that society had expectations for hospitality at a wedding feast. The couple was in charge of preparing the feast and making sure all the food and drink was provided. Yet, as Jesus joins the guests of this wedding, he’s told that there’s an issue. “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine,” John 2:3. No wine is a bigger issue than not having something to drink. No wine means the couple stands to be disgraced by the community. 

This is the reality of what we experience. Food and drink will eventually run out. Meals may end in disappointment. Hunger and thirst are a common experience because of this. For we may not say running out of food or wine at a feast is a big deal. Yet, it’s a sign of a larger issue. Sin has tainted our everyday experiences. It’s because of sin that food satisfies for but a moment. It’s because of sin that things go wrong. It’s because of sin that we suffer want and need... and even disgrace.

Return, though, to this special feast to which Jesus attends. It’s no small thing that Jesus’ first miracle is at a wedding. The holy union which God instituted in the garden is upheld by Jesus through his attendance. And Jesus doesn’t stop there. Even though he was just an attendee, he answers the request of his mother to provide for such a feast. Imagine the servants as they follow Jesus’ command and then hear from the master of the feast, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now,” John 2:10. By this miracle, Jesus offers a blessing over the holy union. But this also was a “sign” as John tells us. For this too points us to a greater reality. Jesus would host his own feast, one where food would be in abundance, and wine would never run dry. Yet, this feast demands a sacrifice... and it’s Jesus. Jesus who offers up himself on the cross to provide the meal. Jesus who sets the table before us with his own body and blood. Jesus who feeds us the food that shall satisfy both body and soul unto eternity!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayers:

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!