While working on a sermon for August (Theme: Transformation. Sermon title: From Water to Wine), I ran across this illustration. I have absolutely no intention of spending any time during the sermon on the debate “Was this fermented or unfermented wine?” To me, my purpose is to show the miracle. I refuse to get lost in that debate. (And frankly, does it really matter?)

A woman went with her church to Israel to visit the Holy Land. They visited Cana, where Jesus turned the water into wine. Upon arriving in Cana, she decided to haul a few bottles of the wine home, commemorating that significant place in biblical history.

Her church was more likely to think the miracle was Jesus turning the water into grape juice, and as a result she was somewhat uneasy about her purchase. So she tucked two bottle of Cana wine into her suitcase, stuffing them between dirty clothes and other souvenirs. She didn’t give it a second thought until airport security identified two bottles of liquid in her suitcase. “We’re going to need to open it up and see what they are,” they told her. With the whole church group surrounding her, she felt the weight of every eye. “Oh! Don’t worry,” she said. “Those are just bottles of water. Bottles of water!”

Her hopeless reasoning was unconvincing. “Ma’am, we understand, but we are going to need to open up your suitcase,” as he unzipped the bag. He pulled out the two bottles of wine and held them up for all to see. “Ma’am, this isn’t water; it’s wine.”

The lady didn’t miss a beat. She threw her hands in the air and proclaimed, “Praise the Lord! He did it again! Water into wine!”

You may have already known what was coming, but it is still humorous. And yes, I plan to use that story in my introduction that particular Sunday. With all the good stuff in that miracle, especially of Jesus showing His power, I can think of better things than arguing about wine vs. grape juice.

So…instead…I hope you had a good laugh…or at least a good chuckle on me today.

I also do not plan to post all weekend. I totally intend on enjoying my holiday. I suggest the same for you. Have a great

FOURTH OF JULY!

We don’t live in a perfect country, but we do live in the best. (Sorry I couldn’t red, white, and blue. Use your imagination). 🙂