John 2:1-11

This passage occurs in the RCL Epiphany Season, Year C, most recently January 2022
 
I offer two summaries:
2013 Summary:  The numbers tell the story here.  This is Jesus FIRST miracle that happens on the THIRD day, in which he transforms SIX vessels of imperfect cleansing into celebration.  In fact, the word FIRST here means foundation, because this miracle foreshadows all the other miracles of Jesus; they are all miracles of transformation, including the resurrection on the third day.  Lastly, on a very Lutheran note, the transformation includes humans who are put to use for the service of others.

2019 Summary:   This passage is all about the mission of the church:  Jesus ministry takes place outside of the traditional boundaries and buildings.  It will involve the obedient participation of servants, who will become agents of transformation in this world, leading to a joyous party of abundance.

2022 Offering:  Even in times of scarcity (when experts tell us there is one more reason to fret), Jesus still calls a party.

Key words:
τριτη ("third", 2.1).  The phrase third day occurs in John's Gospel a few times.  All seem to be about the resurrection

- Jesus proclamation that the temple will be raised on the third day (2:19-20), also a reference to the resurrection on the third day.  

 - Jesus visits his disciples three times after the resurrection, including the three times (explicitly mentioned) he asks Peter if Peter loves Jesus.

So what to make of "three in this story?"  It seems a foreshadowing of resurrection, as Jesus begins to reveal his glory.  Interestingly, it could be read "on the third day there was a wedding" rather than "on the third day of the wedding."

εξ ("six", 2:6)  Six in the bible signifies something as incomplete.  It is not coincidental that John connects six with Jewish cleansing rituals.

αρχη ("first" or "principal", 2:11)  The word can mean first.  But if you look at the other times when it is translated as first (and not "beginning"), it has shades of "primary", or "foundational" first. So we need to ask ourselves -- why is this a foundational miracle?

John 6:64:  For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him.
Colossians 1:18:  He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
Hebrews 2:3, 3:14:  It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him...For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.
Rev 22:13:  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

γαμος ("wedding", 2:1):  It is worth pointing out the incredibly obvious:  Jesus first miracle does not take place in a church, but in the world, at a wedding!

Οινον ουκ ("no wine"; 2:3)  The problem with humanity is that we are good at finding and proclaiming scarcity.  Jesus sees what we do not -- plenty of fluid!  Furthermore, the transformation of the water into wine is not for the water (or wine's sake), but is for the sake of the kingdom -- it is for God's glory and the neighbors at the party.  I think this phrase might be really helpful in a world constantly told that we are not enough and that we should be panicking.

Some other words:
διακονος (literally deacon, or deaconos, "servant", 2:5):  Jesus brings the διακονος to service for his ministry.

επιστεθσαν ("believe", 2:11):  Believe in the book of John is never a noun "faith" but only a verb "to believe" or "to trust."

Grammar review:  An idiom you should know
"τι εμοι και σοι"  Jesus asks this question of Mary.  This is not a very nice thing to say to a person.  It means, "Who the hell are you."  It is also used
* Widow to Elijah, whom she believes is responsible for her son's death;1 Kings 17:18
* The demons to Jesus when he wants to exorcise them; Mark 5:7
But what to make of a sermon here:  Maybe, just maybe, the mission of God is influenced by human prayers and requests!!