Day 798: In His time - John 2 vs 1 - 12

1-2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3-4 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6-8 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9-10 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. John 2:1-11 English Standard Version

John uses the word 'sign' for miracles Jesus did as they were significant deeds that displayed His glory. The miracle in today's reading was at the start of His ministry and is a surprising one. He turned over 120 gallons of water into wine! Whatever the reason was for such a choice for His first sign, what was the reaction of the master of ceremonies? (vs 9-10)

He complimented the bridegroom for saving the best for last! In the gospels Jesus used the picture of a bridegroom for Himself, and in Isaiah 62:5 the prophet spoke of the joy of God over the people He would save. Isaiah says: “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” So while Christians are warned to not over indulge in wine, wine itself was associated with festivity, joy, and blessing. Psalm 104:14-15 says of God: “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate that he may bring forth food from the earth. And wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread to strengthen man's heart.” (Psalm 104:14-15) In Christ's coming into the world God had saved the best for last!

What do vs 1-2 and vs 12 tell us about the family of Jesus at this stage?

It would seem that Mary's husband Joseph had passed away. And Jesus also had brothers. (vs 12) In fact, the Greek word used there for brothers was the word for siblings, so could even imply brothers and sisters. But the important implication is that Mary had other children after Christ was born. Scripture no-where tells us that these were children of a previous marriage of Joseph, so Mary wasn't a perpetual virgin as taught by the Church of Rome. Was Jesus rude in how He responded to Mary's concern that the wine had run out? (vs 3-4)

No. Jesus simply answered with the same directness that He answered His disciples with when they asked if He was 'about to restore the kingdom to Israel'. Jesus said to them “It's not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7) After what some shepherd's told Mary at Jesus’ birth about what an angel had said concerning her child, we read that “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) She knew Jesus was special, even that He was destined to be a saviour of His people. So she didn't hesitate to ask Him to sort out the difficult situation her friends were in. But Jesus' reply reminded her that God will do things in His time.

There's surely a lesson for us here. It's not wrong to bring personal matters to the Lord, but let's never lose sight of the greater purpose why Christ came into the world. Let's learn also to trust that God has His appointed times for when He will do what He has planned. Our attitude must always be that of our Saviour's example when He prayed 'Not my will – but your will be done'.