The Second Sunday after the Epiphany. John 2:1-11. The Miracle at Cana

Complete video of the Epiphany 2 service, sermon, and hymns here.

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, 2021

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10AM Central Time

Hymn #586    Gerhardt - A Pilgrim and a Stranger                  

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Hymn # 39          Praise to the Lord the Almighty       

Miracles Through the Word of God

Hymn #456     Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat             

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
Hymn #54         Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah             

In Our Prayers

Prayers and Announcements

• Walther, the American Calvin is arriving at homes now. Understanding Luther's Galatians will be for the Lenten sermons and the study materials, d.v., written out. Email for a free copy if you need one. Three recently were ordered. greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com
• In treatment - Rush Limbaugh, Mary Howell, Christina Jackson. 
• Christina will have a PET scan, and consultations Wednesday.
• Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Pastor K, Dr. Lito Cruz, Mrs. J. Deere, and a dear friend with lung/heart issues.
• Our President and his staff/cabinet, our military justice system.
• Wednesday, Inauguration, January 20th, more precisely the day the President's term ends - at noon.

 

A Pilgrim and a Stranger is from Paul Gerhardt, next to Luther, the greatest hymn-writer of all time. Gerhardt was a children's tutor and became a beloved pastor in Berlin. However, he was forced out of the parish because he would not concede anything to the Calvinists. He finally got a small parish. He lost his wife and all his children but one. He wrote Sacred Head Now Wounded and many other great hymns.

KJV Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

KJV John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins [GJ -10 gallons per firkin] apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Norma A. Boeckler

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thy grace Thou hast instituted holy matrimony, in which Thou keepest us from unchastity, and other offenses: We beseech Thee to send Thy blessing upon every husband and wife, that they may not provoke each other to anger and strife, but live peaceably together in love and godliness, receive Thy gracious help in all temptations, and rear their children in accordance with Thy will; grant unto us all to walk before Thee, in purity and holiness, to put all our trust in Thee, and lead such lives on earth, that in the world to come we may have everlasting life, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Miracles Through the Word of God

KJV John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

This was one of the first lessons in Greek 101 in college. (The future Mrs. Ichabod spotted my Greek book in freshman English, at Augustana College, and marked me as a future pastor.) This miracle is so well known that we easily pass over the the details, which are so important. The Fourth Gospel gives us essential details about the ministry of Jesus and essential sermons, assuming we know the basics found in the first three Gospels. I agree with Lenski in thinking the Gospels were written in order - Matthew, Mark, Luke, then John. The Gospel of John makes the most sense as the final and ultimate statement - yet written so it could be understood easily in any language, and in its original language - Common (Koine) Greek. Common Greek became the universal language of the Roman Empire because Alexander conveniently that enormous area, 300 years before, and ruled it through Greek managers and traders. Greek became the language of trade, diplomacy, and scholarship. 

The mother of Jesus was at the marriage in Cana, which suggests Joseph was no longer alive. Mary last appears in Acts. The myth of Mary being assumed into heaven was not spread around until after the Council of Ephesus in 431. The earlier festival commemorating her death was transformed into the assumption. I went to Notre Dame on Assumption Day, August 15th, and no one was around. However, when I skipped a class on July 4th, the priest asked, "Where were you yesterday?"

2 And both Jesus was called [invited], and his disciples, to the marriage.

This is extremely important, because the Word reveals Jesus and the disciples attending this wedding. He did not despise the state of marriage and glorified it by His presence. This is significant because the Middle Ages, which began after the Fall of Rome (about 400 AD) adopted the idea that women were the source of all evil and that marriage was to be scorned in favor of celibacy. As the dominance of Mary (and Purgatory) grew, so did the monastic ideal of separation from the world and from marriage, for men and women alike. 

The presence of the disciples at the first of all the miracles meant that Jesus had eye witnesses to the power of God's Word. Whenever we scorn the disciples for their mistakes and fears, after witnessing so much, we can only look in the mirror, because we know so much more - and have the same failings.

The Meaning of Miracle

Unfortunately, miracle is used to sell products. Maybe Miracle Whip is a miracle because they are surprised people can tolerate it. (Sorry MW fan club.) We label so many things "a miracle" from exaggeration or sarcasm, that the word has been diminished. In the Gospels, perform a miracle is literally "do a sign." The language means a true sign from Heaven, which only God can perform. The Virgin Birth was a sign predicted centuries in advance (Isaiah 7:10). People scorn that because they do not believe in God's power. 

Bruce Wenger (Yale MD - top of his class, PhD physiology, Harvard and Yale research) said this about the rationalistic idea of miracles. "A miracle cannot be duplicated in a lab? That does not remove it as a miracle. That is the definition of a miracle." 

If someone has seen a miracle take place, which is far beyond human comprehension or power, that increases his or her faith in God. My wife and I have seen many, so we do not question whether God performs miracles today. 

There are many miracles around us through the Word, and they are overlooked and under-appreciated. Holy Communion is the miracle of Jesus' presence in both natures, forgiving our sins individually. Holy Baptism of babies is that moment the baby's is united with Christ in faith through the Gospel Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Praying is a concession that miracles continue today, because we assume that silent or spoken prayers will be heard by God and answered. That assumption comes from faith created through the Gospel. 

Miracles do not come from newer and better gimmicks, or plans, or measuring the past statistics, but from the Gospel. The Gospel means forgiveness and eternal life. That is a miracle. We are always, as believers, in the Kingdom of God promised by God to Abraham. The question is whether we are on the steps going in or already inside the pearl encrusted gates.

3 And when they wanted [ran out of] wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

This exchange suggests that Mary was in charge of the wedding, meaning the parents were no longer alive. They had to be a poor couple because they did not have enough money to provide wine for the guests. She took it upon herself to ask - that is - pray to Jesus about the problem. Mary did not provide the answer but only identified the problem. Jesus answered, woman - which shows us He was her Lord and not merely a son. He used this address again on the cross, "Woman, behold your son." In addition to calling her woman, He questioned the relationship, which was no longer simply mother-son. He answers to the Father, not to His mother.

Lenski, John p. 189

"“This is my affair not thine.” Thus already in this question a hidden promise is included. The other thought is that Jesus thrusts his mother away—gently but firmly. She comes to him with the expectation that in the present difficulty he will show his Messianic powers by doing something very much out of the ordinary. This he does not refuse to do but he declares that it is his own affair entirely, and that even his own mother must leave it altogether to him. Having entered on his great office, the old relation obtaining at Nazareth when he obeyed all her wishes like any ordinary dutiful son, is forever at an end. He has. assumed his higher position, and even his mother must recognize that fact. “Although there is no higher power on earth than father’s and mother’s power, even this is at an end when God's word and work begin.” Luther. 

This exchange is often viewed as a refusal at first, but it more importantly an example of prayer. Mary did not tell Jesus what to do. She could not have imagined the solution. He did not refuse but offered a solution which was an important part of His ministry and His disciples' knowledge. Like other examples, we can conclude, "Even this person seemed to be refused, but in faith kept asking. God answers prayers so that His wisdom is exercised. If you want to see how humans work toward a goal, get on a building committee. They will even argue over gas versus electric stoves in the kitchen. The fridge? If you are out of ketchup or mustard, go to any church kitchen, any denomination. It will have one bottle of each in the fridge - and nothing else usually.

The miracle itself is astounding but the apparent delay or seeming refusal is a lesson by itself.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 

This suggests that Mary is head of the wedding feast because of her directions to the helpers and their obedience.

This verse also shows the absolute trust Mary had in her Son. She certainly knew His divine origin and divinity. All of us can certainly agree that we do not know the extent of that power, though we have seen a lot of evidence. It is simply beyond human comprehension.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.  [GJ -10 gallons per firkin; firkin is a term used in "Music Man" but nowhere else anymore] 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

This miracle has the advantage of the entire wedding party and the 12 disciples. The helpers poured in pure from the well and drew out the water turned to win. There is no way to fake this miracle, so the normal rationalizations have to be set aside (not that they help anything). The unbelievers want multiple books citing the water into wine miracle, but they reject the multiple citations of the Virgin Birth (Isaiah, Mathew, Luke, John, Romans) and resurrection (Four Gospels, Paul, and more).

The details are not so much for us as they are understanding the astonishing growth of the Gospel wherever Jesus was. Mark especially emphasizes the crowds gathering everywhere Jesus went, so He could hardly do anything else besides the miracles.

But people will say, if they see a miracle, then they will believe. These people saw a miracle and believed. The problem today is refusing to see a miracle, only seeing a coincidence, or "against all odds," and so forth.

But even if we have only a mustard seed of faith in the Savior, that will grow as we continue to listen, study, worship, and pray.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Two new people are described now. The head of the feast - or toastmaster - tasted the miraculous wine and became irritated. Only the servants knew what happened. There is no missing the difference between water and wine. The fragrance alone gives it away.

This is part of the subtle humor of John's Gospel. The miracle got the bridegroom in trouble (husbands are conveniently blamed everywhere). The best wine is for the beginning. When people are satisfied with wine, the poorer wine is served. "But you kept the best wine until now."

This is how Jesus began His public ministry, by performing this great miracle in front of many witnesses and His disciples, showing the power of God's Word and reason for patience with God's will and work.

Symbolic of Marriage

Luther changed society by teaching that marriage was ordained by God, blessed by God, and not to be shunned as living a carnal life. Luther knew that the fake holiness of monasteries and convents only led to gross immorality and dishonesty. The monastic life could be quite indulgent with begging for money and enjoying vast stores of alcoholic beverages. 

Now people shun marriage because they want to live for themselves and not be tied down by responsibility to another person. The complaints were loud and long in the Middle Ages too. Luther observed that a man becomes a servant to his wife and children, working to keep them in food, housing, and clothes. When difficult times come, the burden seems that much greater. He also observed how the first blush of romance becomes mundane over time.

However, this miracle is also a parable. We are not to condemn the fact that marriage is really a challenge and full of work. Nothing draws out differences like a mixed marriage (one male, one female, two different families). Nothing, especially the new arrangements, can change that fact. Two do not become one quickly, and differences always remain.

Marriage depends on whether we judge it by the Law or by the Gospel. The Law makes us look at imperfections (often in the other person). The Law makes us want everything to be even and we think we are shortchanged. I asked children who was favored. The first-born said the younger children got all the breaks. The later-born said the first-born got the best of everything.

The Gospel makes us enjoy work and toil, because it benefits others, so it is fun all by itself. My wife was stunned at how I took over the dishes and cooking. Growing up making food and washing endless bakery dishes and pans made house level work easy and fast.  She has trouble realizing how much her encouragement keeps the publishing going. It is an attitude, which if contrary would make the work difficult and slow. She enjoys hearing about her successful ideas and how they worked out in so many ways. We always marry opposites, so listening to a second opinion is wisdom, not slavery.

When people apply the Law only to children, the children are never good and always a trial. But when they view children - no matter what the challenges - as a blessing, they enjoy being part of that life. Those without children would love to have some of that mix. 

We all know that wine is made with natural yeast. "A ripe organic grape is full of natural sugars and there are wild yeasts living on its skin. As soon as the skin of the grape is broken, fermentation can begin." Given the leaven of the Gospel, those troubles become like fine wine, the initial griefs turned into something new that only God can fashion in a young person.

God instituted marriage and children through His Word. He did that to provide happiness, contentment, love, and growth in the Gospel for parents and children alike. 

Luther:

21. Here also you see, how faith does not fail, God does not permit that, but gives more abundantly and gloriously than we ask. For here not merely wine is given, but excellent and good wine, and a great quantity of it. By this he again entices and allures us to believe confidently in him, though he delay. For he is truthful and cannot deny himself; he is good and gracious, that he must of himself confess and in addition prove it, unless we hinder him and refuse him time and place and the means to do so. At last he cannot forsake his work, as little as he can forsake himself — if only we can hold out until his hour comes.