In today's post, I will briefly describe what OIA is and then use this method
to explain how I work out my interpretation of John 2:1-12.
OIA
OIA is a basic principle by which a biblical passage can be
interpreted and applied.
O stands for Observation. The first step to
understand a given biblical passage is to observe: observe what the text
actually says. If the English translations do not agree with one another, we
have to check closer meanings from their original languages (either it is a
word’s meaning or sentence’s meaning) in view of its historical, sociological
or literary contexts.
The correct interpretation of the passage is based very much
on the information we have obtained from our observation. A legitimate interpretation
develops a particular theological message. Theological messages are principles
of faith and living. Principles of faith are where our Christian doctrines come
from.
I stands for Interpretation. The second step is to
make sense of the obvious observations. These can be marked by repetition of a
word or phrase. In narrative texts, sometimes detailed description, or
intentions of the characters of the story are not mentioned and there may be
some clues hiding in the text. Therefore, readers are invited to detect and are
granted a space for visualization in order to figure out a logical flow of the
story.
Any theological message that comes out from an
interpretation based on not so obvious observation has to be substantiated by
other certain interpretation of the scripture elsewhere in the Bible.
A stands for Application. The third step is to make
the derived message relevant and applicable in our own context.
John 2:1-12
As we do observation and Interpretation, it is like a
detective making sense of everything at the crime scene. The physical clues
will help him to reconstruct what happened at the time of the crime. But here, our
objective is to find out who the protagonist is and what the core truth is.
Obvious observations:
a.
Repeated word, or related word or phrase: “hour” (v4) , “now” (v8, 10). Time could be
the critical element contributing to what has happened and to the resolution of
the crisis.
b.
From the concluding statement (v11), we know
that Jesus is the Protagonist;
c.
Among the minor characters (Mary, disciples, servants,
bridegroom, feast master and the guests), Mary plays a role in making the
miracle happen but her faith is not mentioned in the concluding statement.
d.
Though disciples are not the protagonist but
they are highlighted in the concluding statement.
Historical background:
a.
The Wedding normally runs for 7 days
b.
Though the bridegroom had to ensure there was
enough wine for all the guests, the feast’s master has the control of the
distribution of the amount of wine.
Checking the meaning of any word that is obscure
in translation on verse 10: “when people has drunk freely” (ESV) or “when men have well drunk” (KJV) -- the word
“drunk” is “cause to become intoxicated” in Greek.
Interpretation:
Interpretation:
General
interpretation: Mary who is a relative of the bridegroom or bridge, in the
middle of the wedding ceremony, she observed that the wine is running out and
was very concerned about it. She believed that Jesus could help. So she
approached Jesus when she felt the urgency. Jesus expressed to her that his
hour has not yet come. So Mary told the servants to be ready to carry out exactly
what Jesus instructed.
The miracle was not witnessed by the
bridegroom, feast master, and the guest;
Mary and the servants’ faith are not mentioned. The climax of the story
and the concluding statement highlights that it was the right timing of the
sign (miracle) that Jesus wanted to bring glorify to God and to bring
disciples’ faith to another level.
2.
Possible
scenario: The feast master who is supposed to control the wine might lost the
control of making the wine last to the final day. He thought that he had to
render the good wine first to satisfy the guests and even to the point that
they got drunk (v10). It could be Jesus’ purpose to serve his best wine in the
last hour, a gift to bridegroom, not just to save his face but to bring honor
to him.
Applications:
1.
The most important guest to be invited in our
“wedding ceremony” is Jesus.
2.
The transformation power that brings glory to
God can happen in our life as we face crisis
3.
Running out of human resources is the beginning
of God’s providence.
4.
By faith, we have to wait for the divine time
that will bring glory to God and bring us to the next level of faith.
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