“Tell Me Something Good!”
John 2:1-11; Matthew 13:32-32
This past Friday morning, I was sitting at the McDonald’s parking lot in Phoenix, contemplating my life while eating an Egg McMuffin and listening to the morning news on National Public Radio. The news was more difficult to digest than the Egg McMuffin. There was discussion about the initial meeting of the President’s new Council of Peace and the discussion at that meeting about going to war with Iran. (No irony there.) There was a discussion about what congressional powers should be used to approve any attack on another nation. Then the broadcaster and his guests started talking about Venezuela, which apparently is being run by Marco Rubio, but no one seemed certain. After about 10 minutes, I had my fill of bad news, switched to 70s rock radio, and sighed.
It is difficult to find Good News these days. I do try to watch the ABC evening news at 5:30 most weekdays, but I have noticed a pattern. I often find that broadcast news networks will share some of the most devastating and sensational stories at the beginning of their newscast. Yet, right before signing off, they have a segment of a nice story, called “just one more” or something like that. A lost puppy is found by its young owner, and we see the tearful reunion on camera. An elementary school comes together in support of a family in crisis. A teenager leads an effort to drill wells in impoverished villages. A senior turns 110 and shares their secret to longevity, etc., etc. The good news is tucked in right at the end, perhaps to make it seem as if all that bad news is wiped away by a story that makes us feel good. More often than not, it does not work for me.
Scripture, thankfully, is different. The Hebrew scriptures begin with Good News and the story of creation, reminding us all that we were created in God’s image, that all of creation is good, and that we are good. The New Testament begins with Good news and the story of Jesus’ birth. It isn’t tucked in right at the end, but BEGINS with Good News. Good News in scripture is out in the open, right at the beginning, plain as day.
Over the next few weeks during Lent, I will be using a sermon series from Sanctified Art titled “Tell Me Something Good!” And, if you grew up around the same time I did, that wonderful song by Chaka Khan just popped into your head when you heard that title. The focus is on helping us find the Good News that comes to us in scripture.
Like fine wine prepared near the end of a 7-day wedding feast, like a tiny mustard seed that becomes a large shrub, the good news is abundant, grows beyond our expectations, and cannot be contained.
Good news defined
The term "good news" carries significant weight in the Bible, embodying hope, salvation, and divine love. What is the Good news? Bible Dictionary Today.com has a great definition.
The phrase "good news" translates to "gospel" in Greek, derived from the word euangelion, euangelion which signifies a “joyful proclamation.” In the New Testament, this term specifically refers to the message of Jesus Christ—the announcement of His life, death, and resurrection, which brings salvation to humanity.
Yet the original concept of good news is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The Hebrew Bible speaks of "good news" in the context of God’s promises and faithfulness. Isaiah 52:7 (NIV): "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Tell me something Good- God proclaims and envisions peace for our world, offers grace and mercy in response to sin, and reigns throughout the known and unknown universe.
In the New Testament, one of the most prominent references to "good news" can be found in the Gospel of Mark: Mark 1:1 (NIV): "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God." Tell me something good! This verse establishes that the arrival of Jesus embodies the ultimate good news. His sacrifice frees us from sin. His teachings bring us closer to God’s intention for the world. His presence in our lives can guide us and strengthen us. New life literally comes to us through him, and the gates of heaven are opened through his resurrection.
Another significant verse is found in Luke, as Jesus announces his vision and mission statement before beginning his ministry. Luke 4:18-19 (NIV): "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Tell me something good! Here, Jesus articulates His mission to spread good news, underscoring themes of hope and liberation to the oppressed, and compassion for the impoverished.
The good news of scripture encourages us believers to live out our faith actively. It inspires us to acts of service, compassion, and evangelism. By sharing this message, Christians contribute to building a community grounded in love and hope. In practical terms, this might manifest in:
- Working for God’s justice to manifest on earth.
- Proclaiming God’s grace- God’s favor toward ALL of humanity, by feeding the hungry, freeing those captive or oppressed, welcoming the stranger, bringing healing to others, supporting those in need, walking with others through the valley of the shadow.
- Sharing the Good news of our faith with others.
- Loving our neighbors as we love God and ourselves.
The essence of Jesus’ ministry was truly meant to be good news that is beneficial, joyful, and delightful.
The article on the site concludes with this statement. “The meaning of 'Good News' in the Bible transcends mere words; it embodies the essence of hope, freedom, and divine love. By internalizing and sharing the good news, Christians can actively participate in the fulfillment of God’s promises, bringing light and joy to a world in need.”
There is specific good news in this morning’s passage from John’s gospel. Let us take a closer look at this story to see what it is.
Our story begins at a wedding banquet. Wedding banquets in those days were quite different from the receptions held after a modern wedding. Most wedding banquets lasted for seven days! The length of the banquet was a testament to the cultural and religious significance of marriage in Jewish culture in the first century. This seven-day feast was connected to the seven days of creation, was a way to honor the couple’s commitment to one another, and a time to celebrate love and have a loooong party!
At the wedding at Cana, Jesus’ first miracle brought about good news! There was joy in solving a catering emergency, which prevented embarrassment and kept the party going. Although the couple's family provided most of the food, it was expected that guests would also contribute to the food and wine. For some reason, well before the 7th day of the banquet, the wine ran out. Jesus’ mother Mary knew who to turn to and told the caterers, “Do what he tells you to do.” Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine. Six stone water jars holding 20-30 gallons of water = 1,000 bottles of wine, and as the steward mentioned, it was really good wine!
So, what specifically is the Good news for us this morning? This good news story tells us that God is involved through the presence and Spirit of Christ in our daily lives! Whether it is a catering emergency at a wedding celebration, an unexpected hospital visit, or difficult, devastating news, Christ is present, offering abundant help.
How might God show up through Christ’s Spirit in our lives? There have been so many times in my life when something happens just at the right moment, when people show up with a skill I need, when an unexpected financial gift pays a bill at the right moment, or when some other “coincidence” occurs that makes me pause. I wonder if, at some point, the married couple at the banquet knew of the wine emergency, or if they even noticed there were still full glasses of wine available on day seven of the banquet? Friends, there are no coincidences with God. If we pay attention to those coincidences, we will understand the Good News found in this morning’s passage.
This first miracle of Jesus gives evidence of our Savior's willingness to stand with us, ordinary persons, in the daily challenges of life. Jesus is willing to get involved with us as we face expected and unexpected issues. And not only does he stand with us, but this miracle assures us that Christ will see us through the worst of times, as he will be there to celebrate with us in the best of times, also.
Good News abounds! Stand strong and know that God is with you in your daily lives- the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, through the Spirit of Christ, who is with us, offering help and hope. That is good news indeed. Amen!
