WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:02.940 I've always loved John's Gospel. 00:00:03.800 --> 00:00:08.380 It's the Gospel that I was reading when I came to faith as a 22-year-old. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:10.540 It's always had a special place in my heart. 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:14.800 One of the things I love about John's Gospel, which we just read from, 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:18.080 is that it was written later than the other Gospels. 00:00:18.460 --> 00:00:20.339 So John's focus is a bit different. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:21.960 He doesn't just tell us what happened, 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:26.080 but he focuses more on the meaning of what happened. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:29.199 What does it mean that Jesus has come into the world? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.039 And he has a very clear aim. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:33.979 He lays his cards down on the table. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:37.780 We see at the end of his Gospel in chapter 20, he says, 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:43.460 I have written all of this so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:47.939 the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:51.899 So he's saying there's a kind of life that we were made to have, 00:00:51.980 --> 00:00:54.299 a kind of life that we were made to experience, 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:57.399 that we're not experiencing it now, 00:00:57.399 --> 00:01:00.579 and that the only way to experience that kind of life 00:01:00.579 --> 00:01:04.760 is by putting our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:01:05.039 --> 00:01:08.319 And so throughout his book, he gives us a series of signs 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:13.159 that act like clues in a treasure hunt. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:17.980 We're meant to follow these signs because each one of them points 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:21.840 to the true identity of Jesus, 00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:24.620 and they're meant to convince us to believe in him. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:27.520 So you would think that they should be pretty impressive signs 00:01:27.520 --> 00:01:28.900 if they're meant to do that. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:32.480 And John chapter 2 is the very first sign, we are told, 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:34.740 the first clue in the treasure hunt. 00:01:35.240 --> 00:01:36.859 So we would expect, given all this, 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:39.859 that John would start his Gospel with a bang, 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:42.020 that it would be something really impressive, 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.240 that there would be lightning bolts or words written in the sky 00:01:46.240 --> 00:01:48.920 or pillars of fire or earthquakes, 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:51.799 or at least maybe feed a few thousand people. 00:01:52.840 --> 00:01:53.620 But no. 00:01:54.980 --> 00:01:55.960 We look here. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:01:59.799 John tells us a story about a catering mishap, 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:02.299 a social faux pas. 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:05.040 Here's the sign. 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:10.520 Jesus makes 150 gallons of the best wine you have ever tasted. 00:02:11.639 --> 00:02:12.340 That's it. 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.699 And so we're going to look this morning at this sign, 00:02:15.699 --> 00:02:17.319 and we're going to look first at what happened, 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:18.319 and then what it means, 00:02:18.399 --> 00:02:20.139 and then what it means for us. 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:21.780 Why would John think it's so important 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:25.159 to tell us about this almost private miracle 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:29.379 that many people at the party had no idea had even occurred? 00:02:30.299 --> 00:02:31.979 Let's pray, and then we'll open God's Word. 00:02:33.179 --> 00:02:34.539 Lord, we thank you for your Word, 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:40.159 and we thank you that we're not left to our own efforts 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.579 to try to understand what this says, 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:44.380 that we're not just dealing with ink and paper, 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:47.540 but that we come here in the presence of the living God, 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:50.120 that you, through your Holy Spirit, 00:02:50.760 --> 00:02:52.120 speak to us through your Word, 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:54.880 that you know what we need, what we need to hear. 00:02:55.100 --> 00:02:57.160 You know the work that needs to be done in each one of us. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:02:59.800 You know the reasons you brought us here this morning, 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:02.080 and we pray now that you would do your work 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:03.920 through your Word for your glory. 00:03:04.220 --> 00:03:06.300 And we pray this in your Son, Jesus' holy name. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:07.020 Amen. 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:10.640 So first of all, let's look at what happened. 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:14.799 Very familiar story, but it's worth looking at again, 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:16.419 because almost every time I look at this, 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:19.659 I pick up on things that I didn't pick up on before. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:20.500 There's a wedding. 00:03:21.279 --> 00:03:24.039 Jesus and his disciples have been invited, 00:03:24.179 --> 00:03:26.500 along with Jesus' mother, Mary. 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:28.379 No mention of his father. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:30.719 It could be that Joseph has passed away by this point. 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:33.199 In this culture, you need to understand, 00:03:33.339 --> 00:03:35.359 weddings were a lot bigger deal than they are 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:37.039 even in our culture. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:39.659 A wedding would usually last a full week. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:42.319 It would be marked by multiple processions 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:43.139 through the street. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:46.579 This is probably going to be the best experience 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:47.799 of this couple's life. 00:03:48.099 --> 00:03:50.899 This is an opportunity for them to throw a lavish party 00:03:50.899 --> 00:03:52.799 for the whole town. 00:03:53.419 --> 00:03:55.799 And the feast was really the high point, 00:03:55.899 --> 00:03:57.379 a multi-day feast. 00:03:58.019 --> 00:04:00.079 And at the center of the feast was the wine. 00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:03.599 The wine is what makes the feast a feast. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:07.099 So running out of wine in the middle of the feast 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:08.599 is a very big deal. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:10.900 You couldn't just run down to Costco 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:12.639 and buy more mega bottles. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:16.199 This couple is about to be humiliated 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:18.719 because they live in an honor-shame culture. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:22.319 They're going to be the laughing stock of the town. 00:04:22.719 --> 00:04:24.339 People are going to be talking about this 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:26.699 behind their backs for the rest of their lives. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:29.939 And in this culture, the groom and his family 00:04:29.939 --> 00:04:32.600 were the ones that were responsible for paying 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:34.660 for all of the festivities. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:36.959 So of course, what are people going to say? 00:04:38.219 --> 00:04:38.980 They're going to say, well, 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:41.500 if he can't even afford his own wedding, 00:04:41.660 --> 00:04:43.720 how would we expect him to provide 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:45.800 for his wife and family? 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:49.360 So this is going to be socially devastating for them. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:52.459 Mary's immediate response 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:55.100 is to turn and ask Jesus for help. 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:57.399 It's not his wedding, 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:58.720 technically not his responsibility, 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:00.380 but she knows enough about Jesus 00:05:00.380 --> 00:05:03.040 to know if anybody can do anything about this, 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:03.980 it's him. 00:05:05.080 --> 00:05:07.920 But Jesus gives Mary a very unexpected, 00:05:08.380 --> 00:05:12.260 seemingly brusque, almost rude response. 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:14.120 And we're going to come back to that 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:14.960 in a little while. 00:05:15.780 --> 00:05:17.880 First, I want to note how Mary responds. 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:21.360 She doesn't say, 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:23.920 how dare you talk to me like that? 00:05:24.140 --> 00:05:24.900 I am your mother. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.260 You get up out of that chair right now. 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:28.680 Now that's how most Jewish mothers 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:31.120 would have responded to their sons 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:34.219 after getting a response like she got from Jesus. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:36.319 And she would be perfectly justified in doing so. 00:05:37.039 --> 00:05:38.800 But that's not how she responds. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:42.899 She turns to the servants and she says, 00:05:43.099 --> 00:05:44.620 do whatever he tells you. 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:47.180 And I think this is really interesting 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:50.660 because we can almost imagine her saying something like this, 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:52.560 kind of walking over to the servants and saying, 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:54.560 okay, listen, 00:05:55.160 --> 00:05:57.240 he often says really strange things 00:05:57.240 --> 00:06:00.160 and he does weird things. 00:06:00.160 --> 00:06:02.160 And sometimes you ask him something 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:03.500 and he does the opposite. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:06.340 And sometimes you say something to him 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:07.240 and then he responds 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:08.439 and it's a total non sequitur. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:10.199 And I know it seems really weird, 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:11.600 but here's the thing. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:14.199 Take it from me, 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:15.579 he's amazing. 00:06:16.660 --> 00:06:17.959 There's no one like him. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:20.040 You can trust him. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:22.439 Do whatever he tells you. 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:25.379 And you see right there in Mary, 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:26.639 one of many ways 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.959 that Mary shows us a beautiful example to follow. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.819 Even when God doesn't seem to make sense, 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:37.000 even when we are asking and pleading and begging God 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:39.139 to do things that we know God loves. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.099 And God does the opposite. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:44.459 God seems to not respond. 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:46.980 God does something that we don't want. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:48.379 He brings something into our lives 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:51.039 that we've prayed against. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:53.300 And God makes no sense. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.199 Mary's response is to say, 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:57.480 I know that often he does things that don't make sense, 00:06:58.259 --> 00:06:59.480 but you can trust him. 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:03.180 And this is the thing that we see with God 00:07:03.180 --> 00:07:04.900 again and again and again and again. 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:07.400 Even when we don't understand God's motives, 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:08.660 we can always understand 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:10.700 or we can always trust God's character. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:13.340 Even when we don't understand his motives, 00:07:13.400 --> 00:07:14.240 which we rarely do, 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:16.460 we can always trust his character. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:18.140 Do whatever he tells you. 00:07:18.840 --> 00:07:20.319 It's one of the best pieces of advice 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:21.860 we could possibly get 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:24.160 of what it means to live our lives 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:25.960 participating in the life of Christ. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:27.439 And so Jesus says, 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:30.540 okay, see those stone jars over there? 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:32.519 I want you to fill those with water. 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:34.459 Now, no doubt there were plenty 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:36.480 of empty wineskins lying around, 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:39.199 but Jesus specifically requests the stone jars. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.720 When the master of the feast 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:45.159 thinks there's no wine, 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:47.100 he's on the verge of panicking, right? 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.199 Word is starting to spread. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.079 I think the wine's run out. 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:49.959 I think the wine's run out. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:51.439 Jesus says, fill those stone jars. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:52.079 And then he says, 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:55.040 take some of that to the master of the feast. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:56.240 He was sort of like the MC. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.620 He was kind of responsible 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.900 for keeping the party going. 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:01.300 And so just before word gets out 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:03.300 and just before this big humiliation happens, 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:05.240 the servants bring some of this liquid 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:08.019 to the master of the feast 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:09.060 and the master tastes it. 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:10.920 And to his great relief and astonishment, 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:12.900 he's drinking wine. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:16.579 And he doesn't know where the wine came from. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.139 And so he assumes that 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:19.819 it has been provided by the groom. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:21.340 And so he calls out to the groom 00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:21.740 and he says, 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:24.600 everyone else serves the best wine first. 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:26.720 And then when people have drunk freely, 00:08:27.340 --> 00:08:27.520 you know, 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:29.640 when their palates are not quite as refined, 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.519 then the poor wine comes out. 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:33.220 And he says, 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:34.980 but you have kept the best wine until now. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:37.740 And so the groom ends up being honored. 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.240 And from this day forward, 00:08:39.300 --> 00:08:39.940 I guarantee you, 00:08:40.040 --> 00:08:40.820 everybody at the party 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:42.980 talked about how amazing that wine was 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.200 and how amazing it was 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:45.180 that the groom kept it 00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:46.480 until the end of the party. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:48.540 So this is what happened. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:51.279 But John is interested in more than this. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.019 He wants us to understand the meaning 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:55.339 behind this series of events. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:56.879 And in order to understand that, 00:08:56.939 --> 00:08:58.000 we need to go back to the way 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.839 Jesus responds to Mary's request. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.159 He says, 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:03.240 woman, 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.759 what does this have to do with me? 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:08.879 And I would love to be able to say 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.240 that if you look at it in the original Greek, 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:11.240 it's not quite as rude 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:13.039 as it seems to be. 00:09:13.079 --> 00:09:14.139 But that's actually not true. 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:16.959 It is as rude as it seems to be. 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:19.400 It's brusque. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.820 It's a bit cold. 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:23.040 It's a bit distant. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:25.340 I wouldn't say it's overtly rude 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:25.940 or disrespectful, 00:09:26.420 --> 00:09:28.800 but there's a certain kind of distance 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:30.500 that Jesus is placing 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:32.940 between himself and his mother. 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:36.240 And that's because something else 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:36.960 is on his mind. 00:09:38.400 --> 00:09:40.220 And he goes on to tell us 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:40.960 what he's thinking about. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:41.300 He says, 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:42.040 woman, 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:43.060 what does this have to do with me? 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:44.500 My hour has not yet come. 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:46.060 Now, 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.740 in the book of John, 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.440 every single time we see this phrase, 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:50.080 my hour has not yet come, 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.560 it's always referring to the same thing. 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:54.320 It's referring to Jesus' death, 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:55.700 his crucifixion. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:58.779 So this raises a very interesting question. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:01.080 Why is Jesus sitting at a wedding 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:02.480 surrounded by people 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.759 who are drinking and dancing 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:05.560 and he's thinking about dying? 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:09.060 And somebody once said to me, 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:09.320 you know, 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.240 when you're single 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.180 and in your 30s 00:10:11.180 --> 00:10:11.960 and you go to a wedding, 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.480 it sort of makes you feel 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:14.519 like you want to die sometimes. 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.340 But I don't think 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:17.379 that that is the explanation 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.519 that makes sense. 00:10:18.579 --> 00:10:19.879 There's a lot more going on here. 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.659 Jesus is sitting here. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.879 He's thinking about his death. 00:10:24.319 --> 00:10:26.399 And the reason is 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:27.480 because Jesus knows 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:28.439 the Old Testament Scriptures 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:29.039 by heart. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:31.879 And when you look 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.899 at the Old Testament Scriptures, 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:34.159 all throughout, 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.139 God refers to himself 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.720 as a bridegroom. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:40.240 And he refers to his people 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.540 as his bride. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.480 And we see that this is 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.560 the kind of relationship 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:46.800 that God desires to have 00:10:46.800 --> 00:10:47.460 with us, 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:48.060 with his people. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:49.580 That God didn't just make us 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:51.860 to merely be subjects 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.700 or followers. 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:56.300 That God created us 00:10:56.300 --> 00:10:57.600 to be the object 00:10:57.600 --> 00:10:59.340 of his love and delight. 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.240 And he made us 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:03.840 to love and delight in God. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.340 But no matter how much 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:07.560 God pursues his people, 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.720 all through the Old Testament, 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:09.860 the story is the same. 00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:11.620 God is pursuing his people, 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.639 loving his people, 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.840 chasing after his people, 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:14.960 and they are continually 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:15.879 unfaithful to him. 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.460 Again and again, 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.580 they reject his love, 00:11:18.680 --> 00:11:19.920 they spurn his love, 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:22.360 and they give themselves away 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:25.019 to other substitute gods. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:28.539 And that really, friends, 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.000 is what is wrong 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.079 with the world deep down. 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:32.199 If you want to know 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:33.100 the core problem, 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.139 why the world is so broken, 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:36.199 why there's so much 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:37.480 injustice and conflict, 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.199 this is why. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.419 It's because instead 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:42.279 of loving God above all else, 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:44.500 human beings set our hearts 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:46.079 on other things 00:11:46.079 --> 00:11:48.220 again and again and again. 00:11:48.579 --> 00:11:50.340 We take things like comfort 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:52.600 or safety or status 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:53.899 or financial security, 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.439 and we set our hearts 00:11:55.439 --> 00:11:56.179 on those things. 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:57.559 In other words, 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:59.159 we give into the idea 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.620 that if I could just have 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:02.059 this thing and keep this thing, 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:02.980 then I'll be okay, 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.600 then my life will be okay, 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.699 then I'll be satisfied, 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.240 then I'll be happy, 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.939 I'll finally have what I need. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.079 And what we find over time 00:12:11.079 --> 00:12:12.240 is that again and again and again, 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.299 those things let us down. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.139 They never last. 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.039 It's never enough. 00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:16.779 And so human beings go 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:18.759 from one substitute God 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.539 to another, 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.799 giving our hearts away 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:22.279 again and again and again. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.139 This is what's wrong 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:25.720 with the world. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.220 And so God is a God 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.439 who desires this kind 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.699 of relationship with His people, 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.439 but His people are 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:33.600 like a wayward bride. 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.379 And so it raises the question 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.220 at the end of the Old Testament, 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:37.360 there really is no answer. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:39.120 How does God deal 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.459 with people like this? 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.319 Now there is no answer, 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.279 but there are clues 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:44.039 in the Old Testament 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:46.340 about what God intends to do. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.480 In the book of Isaiah, 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:49.340 God says something astounding. 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:52.320 In chapter 61, 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:53.700 He begins to speak 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:55.200 of an anointed one. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.940 And it's very clear 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.500 the more you read 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.620 about this anointed one 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.580 that He's far more 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.680 than just a human being, 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:01.960 that we're dealing 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:03.440 with someone who is divine, 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.980 who's able to do things 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.660 that no mere human could do. 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.920 And in chapter 62, 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.519 which is our Old Testament reading 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.160 for this morning, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.340 this anointed one 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.340 appears as a bridegroom 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.259 who has come 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.540 to make His bride ready. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.139 And He says, 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.419 for the sake of my people, 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:22.019 for the sake of my bride, 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.639 I will not stop 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:26.139 until your righteousness 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:27.599 blazes like the sun. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.539 I will not stop 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.599 until your righteousness 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:32.279 blazes like the sun. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:34.860 And then in Isaiah, 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:36.319 there's this great transformation. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.459 And God's people 00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.319 are transformed. 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.399 And they are no longer desolate. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:42.379 They're no longer forsaken. 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.319 They're transformed 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:46.500 into a radiant bride. 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.159 The object of God's 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.120 eternal delight. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.600 And then it describes 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:53.100 a great wedding celebration 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:55.580 that spans the earth 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.440 and people everywhere 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:59.539 celebrate as God 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.620 is finally joined 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.320 to His people 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:02.100 like a bride 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.379 to a bridegroom. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.440 But of course, 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.139 this raises 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.559 a very important question. 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.500 What makes 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:10.000 this transformation possible? 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.000 How do they go 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.960 from desolation 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.280 and perpetual 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:15.019 unfaithfulness 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:17.000 to shining like the sun? 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.060 And if we go back 00:14:19.060 --> 00:14:20.300 to Isaiah 53, 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.580 we find the answer 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:24.820 that before 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.139 this wedding 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:27.000 can happen, 00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:29.220 before the transformation 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.120 can occur, 00:14:30.280 --> 00:14:31.139 before the bride 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.720 can make herself ready, 00:14:33.400 --> 00:14:33.960 the bridegroom 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.240 is going to have to suffer. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:38.779 And He's going to have 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:39.120 to suffer 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.700 for the sake 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.320 of His bride. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.980 And it says there 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.980 that His body 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.980 is going to be crushed 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:47.240 like grapes 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:47.980 in a wine press, 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:50.000 that His life 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.000 is going to be poured out 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:52.279 like wine. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:54.899 And verse 11 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.759 tells us why. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:58.279 Why is He suffering? 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.399 Why? 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:02.939 out of the anguish 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.759 of His soul, 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.559 many will be counted 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.319 righteous, 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:08.659 for He shall 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:10.019 bear their iniquities. 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.959 So why does Jesus 00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:14.039 respond to Mary 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.220 the way He does 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.120 in this seemingly 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.779 brusque way? 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.779 It's because Jesus 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:20.799 is thinking about 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.639 His own wedding. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.059 And He knows 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.620 that in order 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:28.079 to make His bride ready, 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.179 He's going to have 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:30.779 to be crushed. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.279 See, on the cross, 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.480 Jesus took all 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.199 of the shame 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:37.279 and the guilt 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.519 and the iniquity. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.779 All of the shame 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.419 and the iniquity 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.179 of the world, 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.220 He took on to Himself. 00:15:45.819 --> 00:15:46.159 And yet, 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.399 the Gospel tells us this, 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.679 that out of the anguish 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.579 of His soul, 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.620 all who come to Him 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.579 in faith and repentance 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:54.539 are counted righteous. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.100 So this is why Jesus 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:58.379 used the purification 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.580 jars instead of 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.320 the wineskins. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:00.879 He's saying, 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.419 I have come to give you 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.539 what these jars 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.480 and that water 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.480 and the religion 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.480 that you have been following 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.299 never could have given you. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.860 No amount of water 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:11.220 can ever make you clean. 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.740 You can clean the outside, 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.179 but you can't clean the inside. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:15.519 And you need something 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.399 that can clean you 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.080 on the inside. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.520 And He's saying, 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:20.020 this is why I have to shed 00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:20.800 my blood for you, 00:16:21.020 --> 00:16:22.180 why I have to be crushed. 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.240 Only that can make you 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.520 clean on the inside. 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:27.280 Only then will your righteousness 00:16:27.280 --> 00:16:28.920 shine like the sun. 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.860 And that's why, 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:32.420 before Jesus was betrayed 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.160 and taken away 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:33.820 to be crucified, 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.700 He shared one last meal 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.860 with His disciples, 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:38.560 where He took a cup of wine 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:41.240 and He handed it to them. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.379 And He said, 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.879 this cup is the new covenant 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.240 in my blood. 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.080 And He commands them 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.659 to drink it. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.639 And the reason is clear 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:52.240 if we understand this story 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:54.080 that it's because 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.820 He's saying, 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:56.100 you will be purified 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.980 ultimately by what I provide. 00:16:58.700 --> 00:17:00.620 Only the wine that I provide 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.840 can do that. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.259 And it's the wine of my blood. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.259 It's my blood for your souls. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.460 Now we begin to understand 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.579 why John would put this 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.799 at the beginning of His gospel 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.740 because this miracle prefigures 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:16.000 Jesus' entire ministry, 00:17:16.199 --> 00:17:17.720 the whole reason He came, 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.639 which is to turn the water 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.259 of religion 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.000 into the wine of the gospel. 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.220 It's to turn the water 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.819 of self-made righteousness 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:28.099 into the wine of righteousness 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:29.439 that comes as a gift 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:32.319 by faith in Jesus Christ. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.039 I mean, think about 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.279 how this story plays out. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.939 Who gets credit for the wine? 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.199 It's the groom. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:40.939 Right? 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.399 Jesus did all the work, 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:44.079 provides all the wine, 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:46.139 but the groom is the one 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:46.819 who gets the credit. 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.659 That's the gospel. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.539 That's the gospel. 00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:52.339 So let's ask just 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.939 with a few minutes remaining here, 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:55.960 what does this actually mean for us? 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.179 If this is what the gospel 00:17:57.179 --> 00:17:59.379 of John is trying to tell us, 00:17:59.699 --> 00:18:01.039 the meaning of this wonderful story 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.480 about a wedding, 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.519 what does it mean for us? 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.599 I'll just make a few suggestions. 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.319 First of all, 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.159 I believe this story, 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:08.579 if we understand it, 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.220 if we believe it, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.519 it transforms the way 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.919 we deal with our failures 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.899 and our shortcomings. 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.699 We live in a culture, 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:17.240 and especially if you live in D.C. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.839 or somewhere like D.C., 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.279 that praises competence, 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.059 we praise accomplishment, 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.419 we praise self-sufficiency, 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.179 we praise resumes 00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:27.879 and CVs and accolades. 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:31.220 Most of us live in dire fear 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:33.640 of anyone seeing our failures 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:35.279 or our shortcomings 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.480 or our weaknesses. 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.839 But notice what happens 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.440 at this wedding. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.980 Although no one knew it, 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.920 the bridegroom did run out of wine. 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:46.360 Right? 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.380 He did fall short. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.900 This was on his watch, 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.279 and he, 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.000 something fell apart. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.360 Something got overlooked. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:56.539 But that in this story 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.799 is precisely where 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:59.700 the glory of Jesus shines through. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:00.680 Right? 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.840 It's through the deficit. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.940 It's through the failures 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.880 and the shortcomings 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.840 of this bridegroom, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:08.160 the glory of Jesus is revealed. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.900 And what we see here 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.519 is that where this man 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.600 would otherwise have found 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.819 failure and shame, 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.420 Jesus supplies 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:17.400 more richly and abundantly 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:19.039 than this man ever could have done 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.000 on his own. 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:22.480 This is exactly what 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.759 the Apostle Paul discovered 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.640 in his own ministry. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.700 when he's endeavoring 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.640 to love and to serve 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.860 the people of the church 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:29.360 at Corinth. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.420 But he's weak. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.540 He's not a great public speaker. 00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:35.520 He's made mistakes, 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:37.440 and the false teachers 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.460 are exploiting that, 00:19:38.520 --> 00:19:39.420 and they're mocking him, 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.440 and they're ridiculing him 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.160 for his weaknesses. 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.160 And his response 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.000 is not to say, 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:46.640 here's all of my justifications 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.800 and all of my defenses 00:19:47.800 --> 00:19:48.920 for why I'm so great. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.080 No, he actually does 00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:50.620 the opposite. 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.240 He says, listen, 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.960 I've learned, 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.880 I've learned actually 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:56.059 that Jesus' power 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.400 is made perfect in weakness. 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.319 I've learned that his power 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.960 is made perfect in my weakness. 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.519 And he says, 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:05.339 that is where I most powerfully 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:07.680 experience the love 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.779 and the grace of Jesus Christ. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.819 It's when I fail, 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.220 and I have no other option 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.339 but to turn to him 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.480 and cry out to him. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.140 And he says, 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.319 so not only will I admit 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.839 my weaknesses, 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.279 I'll boast in my weaknesses. 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:19.539 So imagine the next time 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.720 someone criticizes you 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.539 or calls you out 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.779 instead of defending yourself 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.819 or justifying yourself. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.099 Your response would be to say, 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.659 you think that's my worst problem? 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.980 You think that's as bad 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.420 as it gets? 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.079 That's just the tip 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:31.559 of the iceberg. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.240 It is so much worse 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.399 than you possibly could imagine. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.039 Right? 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.559 That's what Paul's response is 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.599 because he knows 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:39.460 the more he leans into his failures 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.279 and his shortcomings, 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.859 the more he experiences 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.000 the abundance of Christ. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:44.980 Right? 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.279 We freely admit our weaknesses 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.480 because those are the places 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.879 where we find Christ. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:50.660 Number two, 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.000 this, I believe, 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.000 reminds us 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.500 how God sees us 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.940 in Christ. 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:59.700 I say this from time to time. 00:20:59.780 --> 00:21:00.760 I like to ask people 00:21:00.760 --> 00:21:02.440 when I meet with them 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.800 for prayer or other things, 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.180 I like to at some point ask, 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:07.600 how do you think 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.600 that God feels 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.820 when you come into his mind? 00:21:11.760 --> 00:21:12.260 You know, 00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:14.440 when God is thinking about you, 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.840 how does he feel 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:17.000 when you come into his mind? 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.039 And in my experience, 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.539 most people, 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.200 when they're honest, 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.920 say they assume God 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.779 is probably vaguely 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.640 disappointed in them. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.599 They know they should 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.119 be doing more. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.500 They know they should do 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.500 a better job coming to church. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.400 They know they should 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.259 be praying more. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.039 They know they should 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.119 be serving more. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.700 They know they should 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.319 be giving more 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.380 and that God's given 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.099 them a lot of chances. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.259 They know that that thing 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.019 that they keep doing, 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.180 that sin that they keep committing, 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.299 that they know that God 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.420 has given them a thousand chances 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.420 and they figure that 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.420 probably by this point 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:44.140 God is just kind of 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:45.000 ready to give up. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:47.099 And that's what most people 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.940 say when they're honest. 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.740 And if that is you, 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.960 if that's what you believe, 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.059 then I want you to memorize 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.579 Isaiah chapter 61, 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.279 verse 5. 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:57.119 As the bridegroom 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.660 rejoices over the bride, 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.420 so shall your God 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.599 rejoice over you. 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.720 Let me say it again. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.940 As the bridegroom 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.339 rejoices over the bride, 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:08.240 so shall your God 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.720 rejoice over you. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.860 I've been to a lot of weddings. 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.799 I've been to a lot of weddings 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.400 as a priest. 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.620 I've been to a lot of weddings 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.279 as a friend. 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.880 I've been to one wedding 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.579 as a groom. 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.519 And then before that, 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.259 I did a stint 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.100 as a wedding photographer. 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.819 By far the hardest of all. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.559 And much respect 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.279 for wedding photographers. 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.279 High stress job. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.480 But because of that, 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.400 I've often gotten 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:33.500 a unique vantage point. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.000 I get to see things 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.440 from an angle 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.420 that most people don't get. 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:39.259 There's this moment 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.220 in every wedding 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.420 where the doors open 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:43.740 and the bride is revealed. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.460 And everybody stands 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.900 and they turn 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:47.860 and they look at the bride 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:48.500 as they should. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.019 But I always like 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.039 to kind of sneak a peek 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.160 at the groom's face. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.320 Because normally 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.340 I'm standing right next 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:54.759 to the groom. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.500 And I've seen this look 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:59.720 again and again and again. 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.980 I've seen this look 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.759 where the groom 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.160 in that moment 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:07.039 is utterly transfixed 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:09.579 by the sight of his bride. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:11.440 It is a look of pure joy. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.180 It is a look of pure delight. 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.799 And at that moment, 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.740 even though the room 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.240 may be filled 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.140 with hundreds of people, 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.039 it is as though 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.180 there is no one in the room. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.420 It is as though 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.859 the bride is the only one there. 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:26.920 And what we need 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.539 to understand 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.879 is that that is how God feels 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.819 when he looks at you. 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:33.519 That is how God feels. 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:35.099 That's the look on his face 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.720 when he sees you. 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:37.720 Right? 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.139 As the bridegroom 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:40.339 rejoices over the bride, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.759 so shall your God 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.980 rejoice over you. 00:23:44.919 --> 00:23:45.919 Memorize that verse. 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:47.059 And then finally, 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.419 I believe this gives us 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:51.439 a vision and a reason 00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:52.859 for Christian hospitality. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.519 You know, we worship a God. 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.460 I mean, if this makes 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.980 anything clear, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.079 it's that we worship a God 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.379 of lavish hospitality. 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:01.580 It's no coincidence 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:03.100 that Jesus reveals himself 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:04.220 by providing wine 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.220 to keep the party going. 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.840 His entire earthly ministry 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:09.600 is marked by table fellowship 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:11.060 and often with the most 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.180 unlikely people. 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:14.080 He's accused again and again 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:15.300 by the religious leaders 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.200 of being a glutton 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.320 and a drunkard 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:18.880 because he stays up 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:19.700 late into the night 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.640 eating and drinking 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:22.360 with the dregs of society, 00:24:22.800 --> 00:24:23.380 with the outcasts, 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:24.660 with the people 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.940 that you wouldn't even talk to 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:27.100 lest you become unclean. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.840 And these are some 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.060 of Jesus' best friends. 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:31.000 And he stays up 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.780 late into the night 00:24:31.780 --> 00:24:32.980 laughing and talking 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.460 and drinking and eating 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:36.080 and feasting with them. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.740 And when people 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.580 accuse him of that, 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.980 at one point he says, 00:24:40.260 --> 00:24:41.100 why wouldn't we feast? 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.240 The bridegroom is here. 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:43.740 Right? 00:24:43.760 --> 00:24:44.320 Of course this is 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.180 what he's talking about. 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:49.680 And the sacrament 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:51.660 that Jesus gave us 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:53.940 that enables us 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.460 to experience our union 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.980 with him 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:57.700 is also a feast. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:57.740 Christ. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:58.740 Right? 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.660 He welcomes us 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.400 to a feast 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.640 of bread and wine, 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:03.900 of his body and blood. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.019 Right? 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.640 So if you look 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.559 at all of these things, 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.480 it is undeniable 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.480 that God is a God 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.880 of lavish hospitality. 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.160 And when we practice 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:12.620 hospitality, 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.700 we are walking 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.720 in the footsteps 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.819 of Christ. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.920 In other words, 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.900 just to put it plainly, 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.940 I believe Christians 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.600 should throw 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:20.279 the best parties. 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.039 I think that Christians 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.700 should be known 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.200 for throwing 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.100 some of the best parties 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.579 out there. 00:25:25.219 --> 00:25:26.439 Because what better way 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:27.419 to introduce people 00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:28.839 to the God 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.899 of lavish hospitality 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:31.399 than to show them 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:33.219 lavish hospitality. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.299 To love them 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.839 the way God 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.519 has loved us. 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:38.279 You know, 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.819 many of you know 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.159 about the 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.259 For the City campaign. 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.839 We're raising finances 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.439 to renovate 00:25:42.439 --> 00:25:43.319 our future church home 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.899 and God willing 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.500 we'll move in 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.559 later this year. 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.619 And one of the main 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.359 things we're excited 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:47.699 about, 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.519 about having 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.379 our own space, 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:50.500 is to be able 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.379 to show hospitality 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:53.200 to the neighborhood. 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.800 To be a place 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.480 of hospitality 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.160 for Shaw, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.000 for the surrounding 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.480 communities, 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.300 for the city. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.320 To have the ability 00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:00.780 to welcome people in 00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:01.700 every day. 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.380 To love them 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:05.080 by welcoming them 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:05.920 into our space 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.640 and providing 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.380 for their needs. 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.480 And every time 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.140 we gather around 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.580 this table, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.040 which we're going 00:26:11.040 --> 00:26:11.560 to do in just 00:26:11.560 --> 00:26:12.100 a little while, 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.040 we're reminded 00:26:13.040 --> 00:26:13.760 that this is 00:26:13.760 --> 00:26:14.620 God's vision 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:15.460 for the culmination 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.520 of all human history. 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.540 Right? 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:18.940 In the book 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.520 of Revelation, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.140 at the end of time 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:22.020 when Jesus makes 00:26:22.020 --> 00:26:22.880 all things new, 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.820 there will be 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:25.060 a great wedding feast. 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:27.160 The supper of the Lamb. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.759 And I love to think 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.080 that the wine 00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:31.820 they tasted 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.560 at the wedding 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.080 at Cana 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:34.880 is the same wine 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:36.060 that we will all 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:36.820 one day drink 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:38.220 at that great feast. 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.380 Let's pray. 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.100 Our Lord, 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.680 we thank you 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.680 for your love 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.160 for us. 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.640 We thank you 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.740 that as the bridegroom 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:50.000 rejoices over the bride, 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.980 so you look upon 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.579 your people 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.799 and you rejoice. 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.380 We thank you 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.480 for this boundless, 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.099 limitless love 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:58.799 that has pursued us 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.660 over the centuries, 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.279 that pursues us still. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.220 Lord, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.860 we thank you 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.259 that our hope 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.039 does not rest 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.240 in our faithfulness, 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.220 but our hope 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.779 rests in your faithfulness. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.700 That our hope 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.539 rests in the fact 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.299 that even when we 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.140 turn away from you, 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.120 even when we give up 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.500 on you, 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.759 you never turn away 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.240 from us. 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.140 You never give up 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.579 on us. 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.559 Lord, 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.200 I pray that those 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.740 of us who need 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.380 to hear this 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:21.440 most would receive it, 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.779 that your deep love 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.740 and delight is here, 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.299 that we need only 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.819 receive it, 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.000 Lord. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.059 Lord, 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:28.380 I pray that you 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.860 would give us 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:30.000 the grace to respond 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.100 to your invitation 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.360 into this kind 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:33.360 of relationship 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:34.680 that you made us for, 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.700 and I pray that you 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.180 would make this 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.000 all the more real 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.140 as we come to receive 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.759 the bread and the wine 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.539 later this morning. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.279 We pray all this 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.099 in Jesus' name. 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:43.599 Amen.