Between mother and Son

In John chapter two verses 3 and 4 we read, And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. A couple of things should immediately jump out at you, here. First of all, wine is an alcoholic beverage, why should the two Holiest people to have ever lived worry about whether or not there was more alcohol to be drunk? That’s the first point. The second point, why is Jesus’ reply so seemingly rude and dismissive, especially to his own dear mother? Let us read it again, And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. Why does Mary care if there is no more wine, shouldn’t she in theory (and looking at it from a strictly orthodox, religious point of view) be rather glad that there is no more wine to cause anyone to indulge in drunken behaviour? And what about Jesus, why does he so curtly refer to his mother as, “woman?” And why does he dismiss her as if to say, “that’s not my problem, I’m still just a guest here! Don’t ask me to do anything special.” This is a rather baffling way to open the second chapter in the Gospel of Saint John. So I think we need to approach the scene from a very different angle than we might first expect. Mary’s concern is obviously not to have people overindulge in alcohol, instead her concern is for the wellbeing of the guests and the dignity of the newlywed couple. Weddings were 7-day celebrations in the time and culture of Jesus’ Israel. Though some may have overindulged, it was mainly seen as a courtesy to have enough wine on hand for the casual drinking of honoured guests. This was a sacred union they had all come together to celebrate, and to run out of wine would have unquestionably put a damper on the whole affair. Secondly, Mary only spoke to Jesus because she knew he could do something about it. Isn’t this marvelous? After all, Jesus had no previous recorded miracle on the books, how did Mary know Jesus could deliver on such a humanly impossible task as creating wine from nothing? I believe we may point to her unyielding and undying faith; the faith that had carried her from her youth until the day of her ascension into Heaven, for the answer. She knew her Son; she knew his power and his strength. She was intimately acquainted with His miraculous nature, the nature which he kept so closely under wraps for these thirty years of life. Jesus was no surprise to Mary, she will always be his first and closest disciple. Then take note how after Jesus essentially said to her, “what do you want with me, woman? This is not my problem,” she completely disregarded what he said and instead, His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2:5). Do you see this response as disrespectful on the part of Mary? Were we right to judge Jesus as being rude to his dear, sweet mother? Under no circumstances! I think this little curious, private exchange between mother and Son actually displays just how close and intimate their relationship really was. Instead of rude and curt, I imagine Jesus replying to his mother with a sheepish grin on his face, and his mother nodding and winking back at him in return, not unlike Lois Lane would to an “incompetent” Clark Kent whom she had just asked for a miraculous rescue, while knowing full well he was actually Superman. Jesus played the role of a regular, helpless guy, and Mary took his dismissive statement with the proverbial grain of salt. And with the confidence that only the Mother of God could ever possess, she went straight to the servants of the wedding party and advised, “Hang on to your seats, I have just asked my Son for help, and a miracle beyond your comprehension is on its way: do whatever he tells you!” Isn’t it beautiful? Do you see how with a little belief and just a slight change in perspective this seemingly dry exchange comes to life with tenderness, love and laughter? The proof is in the pudding. Jesus didn’t have to say, “Surething mother. Go tell the wait staff to prepare some jugs of water for me,” he didn’t have to say, “Do you think I’m ready to come on the scene as a miracle worker, yet?” No, none of that. He simply (seemingly) turned down her request then went straight to action doing exactly as he was asked.

Isn’t it wonderful what his example teaches? Do not promise, only do. Do not over-promise and under-deliver, instead under-promise and over-deliver. This is what the Master teaches us by example, and it reminds me of a parable Jesus himself taught in the book of Matthew, But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you (Matthew 21:28-31). I like to think of myself as being like the first son, or for that matter - being like Jesus himself. I said “no” to God and to his Christ when he first knocked on the door of my heart. I said in effect, “no, I will not go and work in your vineyard.” But now I have, now I do - with the whole of my heart! For after having first said no, I “repented, and went.” How about you? Are you like the first son or the second son? Did you tell Jesus, “yes, I will go,” and then go not? Or like me, did you say, “I will not go,” but then repented and went after all? Perhaps you have never been asked to work in your Father’s vineyard before. Well, if you have not, consider this your formal invitation: the choice will always be yours to make, and for your sake I hope you choose both wisely and truthfully.