约翰福音2:1-11

"1 第三日，在加利利的迦拿有娶亲的筵席，耶稣的母亲在那里。2 耶稣和他的门徒也被请去赴席。3 酒用尽了，耶稣的母亲对他说：「他们没有酒了。」4 耶稣说：「母亲，我与你有什么相干？我的时候还没有到。」5 他母亲对用人说：「他告诉你们什么，你们就做什么。」6 照犹太人洁净的规矩，有六口石缸摆在那里，每口可以盛两三桶水。7 耶稣对用人说：「把缸倒满了水。」他们就倒满了，直到缸口。8 耶稣又说：「现在可以舀出来，送给管筵席的。」他们就送了去。9 管筵席的尝了那水变的酒，并不知道是哪里来的，只有舀水的用人知道。管筵席的便叫新郎来，10 对他说：「人都是先摆上好酒，等客喝足了，才摆上次的，你倒把好酒留到如今！」11 这是耶稣所行的头一件神迹，是在加利利的迦拿行的，显出他的荣耀来；他的门徒就信他了。"

恩惠、平安从父神和救主耶稣基督归于你们时常依靠祂的人。阿们。

今天的福音经文中记载了一件重大的喜事，发生在耶稣的家乡加利利地区的迦拿小城，应该离耶稣长大的地方拿撒勒不远，这个娶亲的筵席啊，可以说是喜庆但未必轻松，我们举办过婚礼的人都知道，如果只是布置下会场或者教堂就已经很多事情了，更何况还要摆酒席，而且邀请的不只是一两个亲朋好友，而是整个村子的人，包括远房的亲戚。

耶稣和他的门徒也被邀请赴席了，而且耶稣他们都去了。这是多么美好的事情，在今天婚姻被轻视甚至被人的私欲所玷污和扭曲的时代，我们更要认识到，婚姻是神起初创造男人女人的时候就设立的神圣制度，是圣洁可喜悦的。而且主乐意去参加娶亲的酒席，说明神是多么在乎，我们生活中无论大事小事，主都在乎，我们都可以邀请，也应该邀请主来介入，如何做呢？就是藉着祷告，交托给主，求主的赐福和同在。

然而意外事件发生了，这重大喜庆的筵席，乡里乡亲，亲戚朋友正喝的高兴的时候，酒没了，“用尽了”。虽然是意外，或许来的人比起初计划的要多得多，或许这家人一开始就没有预备那么多，家中不富裕，所有可能的预算都用上了，捉襟见肘，还是不够。真是糟糕，用中国人的话，这多丢人，多没面子啊，况且来参加的人还有主耶稣和祂的门徒们。这可怎么办呢？要知道这可不是去街头商店再买几箱酒的问题，因为他们预备的时候可能已经把附件可以买的到的酒都买来了。

如果是我们的话，可能一开始就把耶稣这样的大人物从邀请函上拿掉，免得太尴尬。其实不用，就像这个婚宴的新郎一家人所做的那样，尽管把耶稣邀请到家中，邀请到酒席上做客，只要凭着信心去邀请赐福人的主就行了，剩下的就不用我们操心。有很多时候我们会觉得，我需要真的准备好了，把生活打理的井井有条再来信耶稣，再来邀请祂介入我的生活，这是不对的。因为主耶稣恰恰是乐意任何时候，尤其是在我们最混乱、最无助、最尴尬的时候，最可能有意外发生，局面不可控的时候来走进我们的生活。

耶稣的母亲出于同情，乐于帮助娶亲的一家人，就告诉耶稣说，“他们没有酒了。”意思就是，你应该做点什么吧，马利亚知道耶稣有这个能力，她把天使的话存在心里，从来没有忘记耶稣是神的儿子这个身份。然而耶稣的回答却很让人意外，对于这个紧张的场面并没有直接的帮助，甚至有点斥责祂母亲马利亚的味道，约翰福音2:4“母亲，我与你有什么相干？我的时候还没有到。”原文希腊文其实更加生硬直接，用人的话说有点不孝敬，“妇人，我与你有什么相干？”

耶稣为什么这样做呢？因为主耶稣来的目的并不是为了帮助我们解决人生的困难，而是为了带给我们永恒的救恩，赦罪，生命和救赎，而这些恰恰是我们人生困难的终极答案。他来参加酒席，并没有打算做什么，只是和其他人一样享受这个筵席，那怕酒喝完了，场面很尴尬，耶稣并没有着急去给他们解决问题，那怕祂完全有这个能力去做，祂甚至都不需要水，就能凭空变出酒来，因为起初祂创造世界，就是从无到有实现的。

然而，耶稣答应了祂母亲马利亚的请求，这是“孝敬父母”这一诫命的完美实践，主耶稣作为人子的身份顺从了马利亚的恳请，行了第一个神迹，即把水变成酒，也可以说垂听了马利亚的代祷。马利亚凭着信心和爱心的祈求得到了回应，她相信神的应许，她爱自己的邻舍，娶亲的一家人凭着信心邀请主耶稣来参加宴席得了安慰和祝福。六口石缸的水变成了酒，每口缸都是满的直到缸口，甚至快溢出来。酒席可以继续，任何人都不用担心酒会再一次用完。

然而这不是重点，水变成酒的神迹，就像所有其他福音书中的神迹奇事一样都是记号，为了给那真正的祝福做见证。约翰并没有把故事停留在这里，而是明确地指出了这个重点，约翰福音2:11“这是耶稣所行的头一件神迹，是在加利利的迦拿行的，显出祂的荣耀来；祂的门徒就信祂了。”弟兄姐妹们，我们看到没有，这是要显出主耶稣自己的荣耀，好让我们得到信心的祝福。

因为只有信心才能看见耶稣真正的荣耀，就是那时候到了，耶稣要上十字架，为我们的罪受死埋葬，并且第三天从死人中复活。约翰福音12:27-28 “我原是为这时候来的。父啊，愿你荣耀你的名。”12:32 "我若从地上被举起来，就要吸引万人来归我。耶稣这话原是指着自己将要怎样死说的。”十字架是神荣耀完全彰显的地方，这是世人所不能理解，不能接纳的，十字架是羞耻，然而神却使用这样的方式来拯救世人，彰显祂的荣耀。

当我们邀请耶稣进到我们生活的方方面面的时候，有时候会很不方便，虽然耶稣把水变成酒，拯救了娶亲筵席的场面，但我们仔细看一下其他细节。或许有更多的尴尬。那位管筵席的尝了那水变的酒，直接去找新郎官质问他，甚至有点生气，你怎么能这样？把好酒留到现在。其实他还不知道，他之前并没有更好的酒。

而且管筵席的这句话也倒出了人内心许多的虚伪、诡诈和罪，管筵席的对新郎说了什么话呢？约翰福音2:10 “人都是先摆上好酒，等客喝足了，才摆上次的，你倒把好酒留到如今！”弟兄姐妹们，你说人是不是这样？无论是为了省钱，还是为了维护脸面，大家都这样做。先用好酒让大家喝的尽兴，甚至喝醉，到客人没感觉了，再以次充好。

然而耶稣来了，颠倒了人所谋划的次序，混乱的以次充好的恶习。水变成了酒，好的留到最后。是的，耶稣把最好的，也是我们最需要的留到最后，世界的末了，身体要复活，信徒要得永生。

在这之前，祂会不断地藉着祂的话语和圣灵，暴露我们的罪、心中一切的虚伪和无知，用祂的纯洁真理充满。是的，有人会说，如果我们也在婚宴酒席上经历这水变成酒的神迹该多好啊。但不我们不要忘了，这神迹不是重点，其实我们每个主日的每次圣餐礼中经历更大的神迹，祝圣的酒变成了主耶稣的身体，连同酒赐给我们喝，这是祂的血所立的新约，是新郎耶稣为自己的新娘教会立约的凭据，为叫我们信徒罪得赦免。

是的，我们基督徒这一生，因为还活在这有罪和不洁的肉体当中，有时候圣洁的婚姻还会变得一塌糊涂，还会经历关系的破碎和伤痛，还会经历许多的无助，忧愁和困苦，但主耶稣已经走进我们的生活，祂的十字架救恩给我们带来新的秩序，新的盼望。我们凭信心继续活在神面前，以爱心服事身边的人。奉耶稣的名。阿们。

Here is the translation of the sermon from Chinese to English by ChatGPT:

John 2:1-11

Grace and peace from God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ be with those who rely on Him always. Amen.

Today’s Gospel reading records a joyful event, which took place in Cana, a small town in Galilee, not far from Jesus' hometown of Nazareth. This wedding banquet, though joyful, may not have been easy. Those of us who have organized weddings know that even just setting up the venue or the church involves many tasks, not to mention the banquet, where not only a few close friends and relatives were invited but the whole village, including distant relatives.

Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the banquet, and they attended. This is a beautiful thing. In a time when marriage is often belittled, defiled, and distorted by human desires, we need to realize that marriage is a sacred institution, established by God when He created man and woman. It is holy and pleasing to God. Moreover, the Lord was willing to attend the wedding banquet, showing how much God cares for us in both big and small matters of life. We should invite the Lord to intervene in our lives, through prayer, entrusting ourselves to Him, seeking His blessing and presence.

However, an unexpected event occurred. At this grand and joyful banquet, where relatives and friends were happily drinking, the wine ran out—it was "used up." Although unexpected, maybe more people came than initially planned, or perhaps the family wasn’t wealthy and had already stretched their budget as far as possible, but it still wasn’t enough. It was truly embarrassing. In Chinese terms, this would be a great loss of face, especially since the guests included the Lord Jesus and His disciples. What could be done now? This wasn’t simply a matter of going to the store to buy more wine, as they likely had already bought all the wine available nearby during their preparation.

If it were us, we might have removed an important figure like Jesus from the invitation list at the outset to avoid embarrassment. But that wasn’t necessary. Just like the family of the groom, we can invite Jesus into our home and our banquet. All we need is to invite the Lord who blesses us with faith, and the rest we need not worry about. Often, we may feel we need to have everything in perfect order, managing our lives well before coming to faith in Jesus and inviting Him into our lives. But that’s not right. The Lord Jesus is always willing to come into our lives, especially in the most chaotic, helpless, and embarrassing moments, when things are most out of control.

Out of sympathy and a desire to help, Jesus' mother told Him, "They have no more wine," suggesting that He should do something. Mary knew that Jesus had the power to help, for she had treasured the angel’s words in her heart and never forgot Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. However, Jesus’ response was surprising, as He did not offer immediate help to resolve the situation and even seemed to rebuke His mother. In John 2:4, He said, "Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come." The original Greek is even more direct, and in human terms, it could sound disrespectful—“Woman, what does this have to do with me?”

Why did Jesus respond this way? Because His primary purpose was not to solve earthly difficulties but to bring us eternal salvation—forgiveness, life, and redemption—which is the ultimate solution to all of life’s problems. He came to the banquet not to perform a miracle but to enjoy the celebration like everyone else. Even though He had the power to resolve the situation instantly, He didn’t rush to do so, because He hadn’t planned on intervening.

Yet, Jesus answered His mother’s request, perfectly fulfilling the commandment to "Honor your father and mother." As the Son of Man, Jesus obeyed Mary's plea and performed His first miracle—turning water into wine. In a way, He responded to Mary’s intercession. Mary’s prayer, filled with faith and love, was answered. She believed in God’s promise and loved her neighbors. The groom’s family, in faith, had invited Jesus to the banquet and received comfort and blessing. Six large stone jars of water were turned into wine—each jar filled to the brim, almost overflowing. The banquet could continue, and there was no need to worry about running out of wine again.

But that’s not the main point. The miracle of turning water into wine, like all the other miracles in the Gospels, was a sign pointing to a greater blessing. John doesn’t stop the story there but emphasizes the key point. John 2:11 says, "This, the first of the signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him." Brothers and sisters, do you see? The purpose was to reveal Jesus' own glory, so that we might receive the blessing of faith.

For it is only through faith that we can see the true glory of Jesus—the time when He would be lifted up on the cross, dying for our sins, buried, and raised from the dead on the third day. John 12:27-28 says, “For this reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” And in 12:32, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” Jesus said this to show the kind of death He was going to die. The cross is where God’s glory is fully revealed, though it is something the world cannot understand or accept. The cross is seen as shame, yet it is the means by which God chose to save the world and reveal His glory.

When we invite Jesus into every aspect of our lives, it may sometimes feel inconvenient. Although Jesus saved the situation at the wedding banquet by turning water into wine, we should look closely at the other details—perhaps there was more awkwardness. The master of the banquet tasted the wine that had been transformed and went straight to the groom, questioning him, even somewhat angrily, “Why did you keep the good wine until now?” Little did he know that there hadn’t been any better wine before.

The master's words reveal much about human hypocrisy, deceit, and sin. He said to the groom, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now" (John 2:10). Brothers and sisters, isn’t this how people behave? Whether to save money or preserve face, this is what they do—serve the best first, and when the guests are too drunk to notice, bring out the cheaper wine.

But Jesus reversed human schemes and the sinful practice of substituting the best with the inferior. Water was turned into wine, and the best was saved for last. Yes, Jesus reserves the best—what we need the most—until the end: the resurrection of the body and eternal life for believers.

Before that, He constantly exposes our sins, hypocrisy, and ignorance with His word and the Holy Spirit, filling us with His pure truth. Some may say, “If only we could experience this miracle of water turning into wine at a wedding banquet.” But we must not forget—the miracle itself is not the focus. In fact, every Sunday, we experience a greater miracle at the Lord’s Supper. The blessed wine becomes the body of Christ, given with the wine for us to drink. This is the new covenant in His blood, sealed for the forgiveness of sins for His bride, the Church.

Yes, throughout this life, as Christians, we continue to live in a sinful and unclean body. Sometimes even holy marriage becomes a mess, with broken relationships and pain. We may go through moments of helplessness, sorrow, and hardship. But the Lord Jesus has already entered into our lives. His salvation on the cross brings us new order and new hope. By faith, we continue to live before God, serving others in love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.