What are we searching for when we are seeking purity? Really – think about it. If you have a hard time wrapping your mind around the formulation of an answer, then you are not alone. Many people, including myself, have the candid ability to sense when something is wrong. Do you remember the last conversation you had with a friend or close family member that you walked away from and thought, “Something’s not right?” We shouldn’t feel weird or neglect this sense; it is a natural part of our created being.
Imagine you are at a concert. The conductor stands up in front of the instrumentalists, all armed with their weapons of choice – trumpets, violins, a marimba, flutes, etc, and with the stroke of his hand, the individual members begin to play in unison. The soft tones and melodic flow seem right to the ear; it is pleasing. Suddenly, and without warning, an out of tune note zings from the midst of the orchestra. You hear it. It bugs you. Naturally, you understand that it is not right. It is not good.
In Genesis 1 and 2, the Story begins with seven measures of the most incredible examples of nature harmonizing with its creator. Light burst into the midst of darkness. Life is breathed into animals. The Spirit hovers over the face of the waters. Man, Adam, was created and commissioned to “tend and keep” the soil of the garden (Genesis 2:16). Notice that God did not say, “Pray often, and sings songs that have 3 verses, a catchy chorus, and a tag.” The responsibility of worship was to tend and keep the creation, because the creation was sacred; it was pure. As a result, man was operating (living) in harmony with the Creator. And God’s response was, It is good!
Jesus seized the moment at the wedding feast in Cana and took water – our symbol of purification – and turned it into wine. Ok, can I ask a dumb question? Why wine? Is John trying to tell us something about the significant purpose of Jesus’ life here on earth? Stay with me; it is about to get exciting. Once again, in Genesis 2, the text states that before any plant had sprung up or any herb developed from its seed form, God had to create someone to work the ground. But what happened before man was formed from the dust of the ground? A mist came up from the ground and watered the whole face of the earth. Then life began to spring up. Water… converted to life giving properties so that man would live in harmony with creation and the Creator. Where does wine come from? Grapes. Where do grapes come from? Seeds. Is Jesus saying, “By turning this water into wine, I am doing more than just providing joy for the feast? I am reminding you that I am the one that is going to restore harmony – PURITY – to My creation through a new covenant. Do you not see that I am creating like “We” did at the beginning of things? Take this wine... It is good.” Perhaps purity is not a series of actions. Perhaps purity is merely living in a way that is in harmony with God’s order. To be pure does not require a supernatural miracle. We simply need to make the choice to live in a way that reflects all that is good.
“Papa, help us to experience the harmony that comes when we live in purity. Give us peace, as we celebrate your created goodness in our lives. Amen”
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