The Good Wine

John 2:1-11

Epiphany 2

There is a lot of bad wine out there.  Vinegary stuff.  Sweet stuff that tastes like syrup.  Tasteless stuff that is no more than purple water.  Yes, there is a lot of bad wine out there.   In fact, I would dare to say that the world is drunk on it!  People seem all too quick to drink the wine of cynicism, despair, division, hatred, anxiety and fear that gets poured out daily.  People guzzle down the latest thing that promises them longer lives, healthier skin, instant wealth, entertainment and happiness.  People get a buzz off of things that promise life (or a distraction from life), but in the end, disappoint again and again.  There is a lot of bad wine out there.  I know.  I’ve drank a few bottles myself.  Chances are, so have you.

Jesus Christ offers us the good wine.   The Gospel of John teaches us that Jesus is the revelation of God for a drunken world.  Jesus is God’s Word made flesh, full of grace and truth for a thirsty world.  Jesus’ signs, from the water turned to wine at Cana to his death on the cross, point beyond themselves to the God who loved the world so much that God was willing to die and rise again on the third day so that the world might have life and have it abundantly.  Good stuff.  What that means in simple terms is that, if you want to know who God is, look to Jesus.  If you want to experience the life that God intends for us, follow Jesus.  If you want to find a path through all the tough realities, struggles and sorrows of human life (and maybe even do something about them), trust Jesus and his Way.

Jesus is still in the business of turning water into wine.  Good wine.  He is still pouring himself out for the sake of a drunken world.  The signs of God’s love are still unfolding all around us…   if we know how to look for them.  Yes, even in and through an institution as imperfect, frustrating and often hypocritical as the Church, people are still meeting Jesus, learning his Way, and working together to share his love, his Good Wine, with the world.  I invite you to stop by and share a glass of the good stuff this week!

Peace,

Bishop Mike