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The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Hymn #381 I Know My Faith Is Founded
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 #577 God Bless Our Native Land
- Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way, Dr. Lito Cruz, Alicia Meyer is doing better.
- President Trump will be inaugurated tomorrow.
- Chris Shrader's birthday, the same day as Pastor Jackson's mother but a few years earlier. Monday - OSU vs. Notre Dame.
The Marriage at Cana in Galilee
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.
The first miracle of Jesus is one with many levels of meaning. It was His first miracle, included all His disciples - and His mother, and yet this took place in a little town where the unique event took place for a few people, a humble bride and groom.
The Scriptures describe what happened and include clear messages against future errors. This may be too obvious - Jesus began by blessing the institution of marriage. He did not bless or promote the distortions of men and women living separately and creating holiness for the world through isolated holy places and anti-family obsessions. More than a thousand years promoted the papacy and made the priesthood, monks, and nuns captive to orders outside of and against marriage. Luther broke that up by getting marriage, almost against his will, and promoted what God blessed from the beginning - a man and a woman united as husband and wife, raising children, a unit of the Christian Faith, blessed by Jesus Himself.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
These were poor people. Wine was basic and they ran out. The parents were evidently no longer alive. Mary took the place of the bride's mother and father. I have participated in quite a few weddings - the mother of the bride is the manager. Everything must be done properly - to perfection. Not having wine was the most basic for a number of reasons. Guests would say, "It's just not done!"
At a conservative Methodist wedding, the couple was unwrapping gifts - one was a bottle of wine. That was re-wrapped quickly and slipped back into the array of gifts.
The discussion with Jesus meant one thing only - Mary believed Jesus would take care of matters. She had seen the greatest miracles anyone could imagine - her difficult trip to Bethlehem, the shepherds coming to see the baby Jesus, the Wise Men come from the East, risking their own deaths.
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.
Jesus did not say, "Mother" or even "Dear Woman" in John 2. His response emphasized His divinity and her human nature. In the Gospel of John, Mary was addressed as "woman" twice - at the wedding and at the cross. Jesus had John take Mary to safety, with this dialog - behold your mother, and behold your son. But He addressed Mary as "woman."
This anticipates the cult of Mary, which grew up after a debate about Mary giving birth, which became an obsession about Mary. That grew throughout many centuries and still grows today. "Mary comforts the tortured souls in Purgatory," a claim and a terrible distortion even today, in Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy.
In a few words, Mary expressed her faith in Jesus - without limits - much like the many who came to Him in His public ministry or were dragged to Him so they could be healed, even the Roman soldier who believed that a Word from Jesus would cure his servant at a distance. The woman with the terrible disorder, never healed, and yet believed she would be healed just by being touched.
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.
This is a widely distributed miracle which did not take place from Jesus touching or doing the work, but various people being involved. As Jesus' ministry grew, the population doubtless shared the story of the wedding - "I was there!" That could not be missed - the sudden amount of wine, the perfection of the wine, the helpers doing the work, but the Word coming from the Son of God.
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.
The groom was dragged into this miracle because the order of wine was described by the master of the feast - so the groom an experience as well. The groom got the best wine until later.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
The miracle of the wine is known world-wide, but often neglected through the miracle of marriage itself. Walter Meyer emphasized that there should always be another person in the marriage - Jesus Christ. Two become one, and that leads to mutual love that transcends daily life and goes beyond the ordinary.
