The airwaves and other media are filled with negativity that can leave one feeling hopeless and helpless. I have decided to buck that trend and write a positive and uplifting blog post.
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Over the years, because we Gentiles read the Bible literally, we often miss the great truths within the stories. Miracle narratives are especially vulnerable.
Let’s look at the miracle entitled “The Wedding Feast in Cana of Galilee” (John 2:1–11). The story tells us that there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Mother Mary was there, along with Jesus and his disciples. Mary is told that they are out of wine. She informs Jesus, who tells Mary to tell the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby were six stone water jars each capable of holding 20 to 30 gallons. Jesus says, “Fill the jars with water to the brim.” The servants did as they were told. Jesus instructs them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief steward.” The steward tasted it and said to the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This was Jesus’s first sign, and his disciples believed in him.
I don’t believe this story ever happened. Here are my reasons:
- It’s preposterous; that’s not how wine is made.
- The Gospel of John is a religious history, which is very different from historical history.
- The entire Bible, Old and New Testament, was written by Jewish authors.
- Jewish writers often told a story with no truth about the event but a truth inside the story.
- Judaism has a process called midrash, meaning biblical interpretation, which helps readers flush out the truth in a story. Using midrash, I find the truth in this miracle involves ordinary water, found almost everywhere on our planet, and extraordinary wine, produced over time by a complex process.
My truth found in this miracle: if one lives a life of agape, one can transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary life. Why?
Agape demands unconditional love for every human being no matter where they are on their life journey. This simplifies life because one has to leave behind biases, prejudices, hang-ups, judgments, and all negative “isms.” Homophobia, misogyny, racism, religionism, and other forms of intolerance can no longer be a factor in whom we love. Apage loves every human being and living thing.
Agape demands that we forgive ourselves and others quickly and thoroughly no matter the offense. Not forgiving oneself and others is a death warrant because one is not able to move ahead in a positive, creative way while carrying the burden of anger, revenge, hatred, and animosity.
Agape demands a life of caring for ourselves and others. In a huge hurting world, Jesus’s command to “do this [agape] to the least of these” (Matthew 25:40) is a massive part of being a Follower of the Way (Jesus and agape). For example, thoughts and prayers will do nothing to alleviate the pain of hundreds of thousands of people who have been affected by the horrendous fires in the Los Angeles area. Love, forgiveness, and caring will change their barren landscape back into a vital community.
Which miracle do you believe: Jesus is the world’s greatest oenologist, or Jesus and his transforming powers of agape can change the ordinary into the extraordinary?
PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness
Bil
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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.
Is the interpretation (midrash) the problem?