The Disciplines of Christ - Part 2
The art of Celebration
The Art of the Celebration
The prophet Nehemiah said, “the Joy of our Lord is our strength” (Neh. 8:10). The Apostle Paul said “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4) . The psalmist reminds us God is author of every day, “this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24). With scriptures like these in mind, we understand that celebration at its core is worship. Therefore, celebration can happen when Christians come together for almost any reason. From a fellowship dinner to a funeral dinner, we can find reason to celebrate. You can celebrate while you fellowship and serve with others or you can celebrate alone while you rest and listen to music. However you celebrate, you'll discover it's as much an attitude as it is an action.
But where does this pursuit begin?
One way we lay the foundation for the art of celebration is through obedience. It’s difficult to practice joyful celebration when you’re suffering the consequences of sin. As a result, through obedience to Christ we find Joy. Then there is the practice of sacrifice and giving. Remember the words of Jesus; it’s more blessed to give than receive. We all know that feeling we get when we are able to give of ourselves and help someone out. That feeling leads to celebration. In this week’s story we see Jesus embrace this discipline of celebration through obedience and giving. However, we’ll discover an unlikely element at the heart of Jesus’ practice of celebration. That element is but one word—HONOR! Look for it in this lesson’s scripture story.
But where does this pursuit begin?
One way we lay the foundation for the art of celebration is through obedience. It’s difficult to practice joyful celebration when you’re suffering the consequences of sin. As a result, through obedience to Christ we find Joy. Then there is the practice of sacrifice and giving. Remember the words of Jesus; it’s more blessed to give than receive. We all know that feeling we get when we are able to give of ourselves and help someone out. That feeling leads to celebration. In this week’s story we see Jesus embrace this discipline of celebration through obedience and giving. However, we’ll discover an unlikely element at the heart of Jesus’ practice of celebration. That element is but one word—HONOR! Look for it in this lesson’s scripture story.
Questions to consider: How does Jesus honor his mother? In what ways were you taught that Celebrating and/or “partying” was dishonorable behavior as a Christian? Where is Joy lacking in your life? Why do you find it difficult to celebrate sometimes?
Helpful Commentary:
NT Professor, Mark Moore, explains this celebration story well.
Jewish weddings typically lasted for a full week. They were filled with banquets, dancing, laughter, and song. (In this instance) The groom’s family miscalculates the amount of wine needed for the celebration. This is more than embarrassing,…such neglect could cause serious offense to the bride’s family, resulting in significant (political and social) ramifications.
Mary is asked to help. Apparently someone thought she had access to some resources that could provide more wine. She, of course, goes straight to her oldest son, the leader of their clan. When she informs Jesus of the predicament, she doesn’t actually ask for him to help, but the implication is clear. She is asking Jesus to intervene on behalf of the groom’s family. Here we need to observe two things. First, Mary is not necessarily asking Jesus to perform a miracle… this is the first miracle recorded in the John’s gospel, you wouldn’t expect Mary to anticipate such divine intervention for such a mundane affair. Second, if he does help, that will greatly increase the clout of Jesus’ family. In social terms, Mary’s family would become patrons and this wedding party their clients. This would no doubt delight Mary.
It’s time for Jesus to get on with his ministry. He has a new family now, and to become a patron of the wedding would be a step backward, not forward, in his messianic career. At the same time he does need to HONOR his mother. His dilemma is more serious then it appears on the surface. The scriptures compel him to honor his earthly mother. His calling compels him to honor his heavenly Father. Solution: turn the water to wine. In one fell swoop Jesus honors his mother and opens a new chapter in his Messianic career.
The servants fill six water jugs to the brim… (so this equals) upwards of 180 gallons of wine. No wonder Jesus was called a “wine-bibber”. In anyone’s book this would be excessive. Why so much wine? We must remember that John records a mere seven miracles. In other words, he is not trying to overwhelm his readers with a bulk of Jesus’ wondrous deeds. He selects them carefully and describes them specifically so that they preach the kingdom of God. Wine and weddings represent joyful celebration. (Therefore, John’s point is) our initial encounter with Jesus is an invitation to a wedding where the wine flows freely. He wants to transform your life into an extraordinary event filled with joy, wine, and a glut of celebration.
Mark Moore, Encounters with Christ, p. 23-24
Further Reading: Revelation 19:6-9
A Story of Dishonor – Jesus Clears the Temple Courts (Jn. 2:13-17)
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Helpful Commentary: The Passover was one of the three major Jewish celebrations observed every year by the people. They were celebrated to honor God. In the highest sense, these were holy celebrations. In this passage above, Jesus is ticked because the Jewish people have not just “desecrated” the temple they have dishonored God in how they were celebrating the Passover. Many took advantage of it as a money making opportunity instead of honoring the true meaning of Passover (Exodus 12). This would be the equivalent of making Christmas about consumerism instead of the free gift of Christ, God’s son, to save the world.
Thus, we look at these two contrasting stories of Jesus back to back in the Gospel of John. One is an example of proper celebration and the other, less than honorable. Jesus example is clear, life with me is truly a JOY RIDE. Therefore, any follower should be easy to spot. The only thing more dishonoring to God than improper celebration is a life with no celebration and joy at all.
1) When was the last time you laughed?
2) Do you enjoy God? In what ways do you celebrate your life as a Christian? In what ways do you dishonor Christ in your attempts to celebrate him? (i.e. only showing up for church every Easter or significant Christian holiday).
3) GROUP DISCUSSION: Discuss how you can practice the discipline of celebration. SHARE WITH EACH OTHER WHAT YOU ENJOY ABOUT GOD THE MOST AND HOW YOU CELEBRATE THAT IN YOUR LIFE. Make plans as a group to celebrate together on a regular basis.
4) What do you think would be the result of the discipline of celebration being practiced more intentionally and consistently in your life? What could it change?
Strengthening your discipline of Celebration:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
If this discipline is something you need to work on take verse 8 above and make it your memory verse for the week or even a month. Then journal about how memorizing and reflecting on this verse changes your attitude.
Thanks for checking out this week’s lesson. Don’t forget to check out our D90x facebook page for encouragement.
Blessings,
Jason
Praying through today’s discipline: Before you finish and log off, spend some time in prayer meditating on Phil. 4:4-8. Thank God for Jesus’ example. Consider what ways you are dishonoring God with your life, and change it. (Remember, honor is the foundation of the celebrated life of a Christian—without honor your joy ride with God, may not end so joyful!)
1) You’re going to get tired of this suggestion, but join a small group at Adventure, it’s a lot easier to celebrate with others than it is by yourself.
2) Do some research/study on some of the OT holidays (i.e. Passover) and specifically why they celebrated what they celebrated.
3) Treat Communion/The Lord’s Supper as a celebration and take note of how it affects your experience during that time. (i.e. Communion isn’t a time to just remember Jesus death and our crummy sins that put him there. It’s a time to celebrate the Resurrection and the New Life given to you by Christ. You now live in grace, you’ve been forgiven. Every week at Adventure is an opportunity to celebrate that!!!)
How do I celebrate God? I dont see it in the text. I ended this lesson frustrated because I can't seem to grasp this lesson.
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