Jesus if the Life of the Party (Audio)

While the Bible condemns drunkenness, wine is a gift of God for times of celebration and joy.  Wine was regarded as one of the Lord’s covenant blessings on his faithful people:

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today — to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil (Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV).

I love the story of Jesus turning 6 large jars of water into a LOT of wine.  And it’s not just because I enjoy a cracking good red!
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. Given that it’s not far from Nazareth, they may have been friends of his family.

Things start off well, people enjoying themselves and giving thanks to God. The Kiddush, the Jewish prayer over the wine: “Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”

But with the wine running out, the family hosting the wedding banquet was facing total embarrassment and decades of shame. Jesus’ mum tells him: “They have no more wine.”

Following Jesus’ instructions, the servants fill up 6 stone jars with water; and then draw some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. He declares that this is the best wine at the banquet.

Jesus saves a family from shame; and enables a wedding feast to continue for the enjoyment of all. Yet at first, most were oblivious to the source of the best wine.

One of the Messianic signs:

‘In that day the mountains will drip new wine…’ (Joel 3:18 NIV).
‘New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills…’ (Amos 9:13 NIV).

This sign points to Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah.  And it points toward the heavenly banquet at God’s place – where all God’s people will celebrate life to the full!

Jesus is the life of the party because he is the Lord of Life.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl