John 2:1-11 - Water to wine

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The first eleven verses of this chapter (John 1:1-11) form the first of the seven signs in John. This is therefore a very good place to begin a discovery Bible study with not-yet believers. But for our purposes here, what can we learn about the way Jesus deals with the several issues that crop up?

For a start, notice that Jesus was at the wedding feast. His mother was there too, and so were his disciples. We can see immediately that Jesus is ready to join in with the things that the people around him do. [Tweet it!] He is not aloof or legalistic, he has nothing against fun and people enjoying themselves. So it makes sense for us to act the same way. If you want people to feel comfortable in your presence do not be a party pooper. Just don't do that!

Many people won't go near church because they think the people there will be old-fashioned, stuffy and steeped in tradition and religious rules. So host parties, invite people to a barbecue in your garden, get involved with social activities where you live.

Not only was he there, he was willing to help out with the wine supply. So don't tell people they must not drink alcohol. Jesus drank wine. It is a bad idea to get drunk, and it's worse to become an alcoholic, so there are valid reasons for some people to avoid alcohol. But for most people most of the time, a glass of wine (or beer, or cider) is just fine - providing they are not about to drive a car or fly a plane.

Here's the take home lesson, if Jesus is to be central in our lives, we need to be a part of the society we live in. [Tweet it!] How will we reach people or bless people or pray or encourage or make them think or love them if we set ourselves apart? We must avoid sin of course, but we must not be afraid to engage in society. Jesus ate with prostitutes and social outcasts like the tax collectors. And so should we.

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Matthew 26:1-35 - Using traditions

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We are getting close to the end of the gospel account; in Matthew 26:1-35 we read about the Seder, or Passover meal and some of the conversation that took place around the table.

Notice how Jesus is embedded in the Jewish culture of his day, he celebrates the traditional feasts including this one, but he reuses some of the traditions for his own purposes. He says that the broken bread is his body and the wine is his blood. This would have been very memorable for the disciples. They'd have said to themselves every year, "Do you remember how Yahshua said this bread is my body and this wine is my blood?"

After the meal they went out to the Mount of Olives, and he told them that they would abandon him later that night.

We can learn from him even in this; we, too, should be embedded in our own culture. We might repurpose some of our traditions. Here in the UK we sometimes raise our glasses and say a few meaningful words when we share a drink on special occasions - weddings, retirement parties, at a house warming or at a special meal in a restaurant. Why not use times like that to give thanks to him for his involvement in everything we do?

We enjoy a barbecue in the garden in warm summer weather from time to time, and often invite friends or neighbours. Could we use those occasions in some way too? Use your imagination. If necessary, create a tradition of your own. Why not?

Another activity many people enjoy is to take a stroll together in the countryside. Perhaps we could use those times to think about some of the things Jesus said to his disciples as they walked together 2000 years ago.

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