Is it just me or was this week was a week filled with festivities? Graduation is here and it seems like there is a different party every day. And why not, graduation from High School is a significant and defining transition from being a kids to growing up and moving on towards independence.
That’s not the only significant event that is going on this week though. There was also Cinco de Mayo this week as well as Star Wars Day (May 4th). Then it is all highlighted on Sunday by Mother’s Day. We love to celebrate don’t we? Any excuse to get together we want to do it. This is something that God put within us too. We designed us for community, which is why we enjoy getting together. In fact, if we look at Jesus life he spent a lot of time at parties and in people’s homes. His first miracle was at a wedding turning water into wine. And who called him out? It was Mom.
John 2:3-5 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Don’t you love this? Mom gets Jesus to begin his public ministry by calling out in a crisis. What is the crisis? We’re out of wine for our guests! This is a big deal! To run out of wine at a wedding would have disgraced the host of the party. This, apparently, was enough to bring Jesus into the public eye by doing something extraordinary. The guests not only enjoyed the wine but they marveled that it was the best. What a way to honor the host!
Jesus spent a lot of time going to these gatherings or parties. He did a lot of extraordinary things at these parties. He honored people with his presence and always gave them even more than what was expected. This is what we will call Jesus “Theology of Parties”.
This “Theology of Parties” is Jesus way of teaching us how God loves us. First of all, the fact that Jesus spent so much time at parties shows us how he loved being with people and valued relationship. He never turned down an invitation, whether it was from a tax collector or a Pharisee, Jesus always honored his guest by showing up.
By showing up to all of these parties Jesus also demonstrated being a friend to those who need friends. Even though the Jews knew how to party there was no hospitality shown among the religious leaders and the rest of the people. There were those who expected places of honor and considered themselves more esteemed and worthy than others. So Jesus, by befriending these who have been left behind, is demonstrating a value to lives that been devalued.
Jesus brought such life to a party! And it was literal life, not just manufactured. Whether he was healing, raising people from the dead, teaching, reconciling brokenness or turning water into wine Jesus showed us to never underestimate the generosity of God.
Yes it has been a week of festivities and it is not over yet. Today is a day where we celebrate Mom and Grads. How about taking Jesus “Theology of Parties” with you. Honor others above yourself, be a friend to those who need a friend and show a generosity that exceeds expectation. May we celebrate life, accomplishment and people the way that Jesus did.
Have a great week!
Pastor Stan and Polly
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