Lectionary for Epiphany 2
Jesus revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. John 2:11
Collect. Let us pray (for grace to be true to our calling): Almighty God, by whose grace alone we are accepted and called to your service: strengthen us by your Holy Spirit, and make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Isaiah 62:1-5. In the previous chapter we read the familiar words. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he has anointed me…”. Therefore let us conclude that our reading for today continues to be the voice of the one on whom the Sprit of God rests, namely the Messiah. This then is a passage filled with hope and expectation about the fulfilment of Israel’s salvation. No longer will they be estranged from God but Israel will once more be in the closest harmony with him. Salvation in the bible is presented in three different ways namely past, present and future. Israel had experienced the salvation of God when they were freed from slavery this was a part of their history. They had then been settled into the Promised Land and so their salvation was experienced as a day to day reality. Sadly through their disobedience they became estranged from God and were taken back into slavery. Thus with the estrangement their salvation had slipped away:” How could we sing the Lord’s song in a stranger’s land?” (Psalm 137:4) Now the prophetic voice of the coming Messiah brings an exciting promise of hope still to come. No longer will they be forsaken but will once more be the centre of God’s attention and delight. For a crushed people these would have been truly encouraging words for they reminded them that by God’s grace better days lay ahead. For those of us who are not Jewish perhaps they don’t have quite the same impact yet all of us as believers can recognise that God’s faithfulness can help us face bad times. Even when we are facing bad times, as we trust in God, we can still have the hope that God is actively involved in preparing a better future.
Prayer. Holy God, you call us to trust in you alone and walk obediently in your way. Forgive us for those times when we choose to follow our own desires and designs and end up far from you. Call us back to yourself that we may once again experience the joy of your salvation; knowing that life without you is not life at all. Help us to live out each day in obedience to your ways, loving justice and mercy not only for ourselves but for all people. As we trust in you, grant that we may be attentive to your voice, following always your guidance and your grace. This we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading. John 2:1-11. John divides the opening chapters of his gospel into “days”. Thus “On the next day” we note that John the Baptist announces Jesus as “the Lamb of God” then “On the next day” Jesus chooses the first disciples, then “On the next day” Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael. Now in this section that we read today he begins with phrase, “On the third day”. This phrase takes our minds immediately to the resurrection as it would have to those who historically were reading this for the first time, for it was well known that it was on the third day that Jesus rose. Thus John is making an important statement about this passage of turning water into wine. To begin with we should not regard this change from water to wine as a miracle for John never uses that term; for him the actions of Jesus are “signs”; they point to something within the story. Wine was both a blessing and a sign of contentment given by God. (Psalm 104:15). Sometimes it had a negative connotation for drunkenness was never acceptable in Jewish society and could lead to disgrace. e.g. Lot, Genesis 19:32; Noah’ Genesis 9:21. However John’s setting of the wedding in Cana emphasises a very positive application: wine was a sign of life, of Blood and above all of the new kingdom of God. So John is highlighting the new and better way that Jesus is bringing. From John’s perspective the Old Covenant had no more life (wine) in it but under Jesus’ instruction a New Covenant now assured every guest of an overflowing supply of better life, (new wine). By referring to the “third day” John has linked this sign with the resurrected Jesus for it is through him that new life comes and the kingdom of God is established. In this first sign John is advocating that his readers not drink the old wine but drink the new wine that Jesus through his servants is offering.
Prayer. Lord it was at a wedding that you revealed your first sign and linked your life together with the ordinary events of family life. So today we pray for families everywhere. We pray for those families who have run out of resources and face shame and embarrassment. Be with them in their need and guide their way to more fruitful times. We pray for those families who have all that they need and so experience no need of the salvation your love could bring. We pray for families which are torn apart by strife and for children who suffer neglect or abuse. Lord give us eyes to see the needs in people around us and the courage to ourselves be signs that point others to all that you can do for each one of us. May families everywhere be blessed and in them may all find fulfilment, contentment and love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Collect. Generous God, we have tasted the best wine in the salvation of Christ. Help us to see his glory in the light of everyday things made bright by his presence; make us vessels of grace, as we pray in his name. Amen.
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