Irreligious Message of Jesus (John 2:1-12)

Last time we talked about the tension in ministry of keeping religious people happy and giving thirsty people a drink. But how do we know who is who? How are we to discern who really needs a drink?

This is hard because most of us who are in ministry have a desire to see people’s lives changed by the person and power of Christ. Our hearts break when we see people suffer even when they are suffering due to their own poor choices. We long to see them break free of those things that are keeping them bound. Many times these bonds are the cords of religiosity and legalism (religious people who care more about ritual than redemption).

So where is the balance? How do we help people who are thirsty for the new wine of Christ experience freedom from the bonds that weigh them down, when we know that the cost package of their freedom may be religious ritual? Furthermore, how do we offer the new wine of God’s grace to those whose greatest need is to be free from the bonds of religious adherence?

If you’re like me, this can be a very frustrating part of ministry. How do I navigate this tension disturbing that which I have made sacred for the sake of the kingdom and the gospel of Christ?

At this point, I’m sure some of you are waiting anxiously for me to tell you what is really secular and what only masquerades as secular but you may be disappointed with my answer. I think the difference between sacred and secular has less to do with ritual and more to do with relationship.

When these stone pots were filled with water they represented the washings that reminded God’s people of their sin. What Jesus did was fill them with wine, which made them unfit for washing but very fit for celebrating–celebrating the fact that the Son had come into the world and that we have hope not just in ritual but we have reconciliation through Christ.

Pastor, as you minister this week don’t do so out of fear that you might fall short of religious ritual. Instead, minister with the full freedom that comes with knowing that you have the divine privilege of ladling out the new wine of Christ’s salvation on the sinner and the saint alike.

3 Responses to “Irreligious Message of Jesus (John 2:1-12)”

1. Michael says:

   March 23, 2011 at 1:19 am

   One of the “concepts” that I have been working with for the past couple of years is the concept of being totally self-expressed. What exactly does that mean? It means that I can be who I am without fear of offending someone because it is by being myself (within the parameter of Christlikeness of course) that I am able to minister where I am supposed to minister. I think about the first time I decided to stand with uplifted hand during a chapel service at my alma mater. While that was totally who I was, I was hesitant because it appeared to not be the culture of the school. Little did I realize that my act served as a catalyst to others being what…? SELF EXPRESSED and free to worship the way they felt.
2. Dennis Moles says:

   March 23, 2011 at 7:10 am

   Hey Mike, thanks for the example of what I wastrying to communicate. I think it puts some contemporary skin on what I am trying to say. It really is funny to me how often we (I) function in fear of what others might think, say, or do. I think I would add one thing to this idea of being self-expressed. We must be surrendered to the Holy Spirit in our self-expression. And when we surrender to Him and embrace who we are in him (self-expression) then we can be confident – like your example – to follow His leading.
3. Michael says:

   March 23, 2011 at 12:55 pm

   Oh most definitely Dennis! That good ole Holy Ghost definitely must have His way! LOL