S121P7 – The Savior’s many faces: the honorable natural son
Jn. 2:1-5
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
It was not the first time and would not be the last time that she would offer his help to someone without his knowing it. They had just bought their first house, and it needed some work. They had been looking for someone to help with installing drywall, but they were coming up short. All she knew was that her son had told her about all the construction work he did down South to help rebuild after the hurricane. Without a second thought and consumed with motherly pride, she offered her son to help them with their project. As inexperienced as he was, he felt he had no choice but to oblige once he found out his help had been offered. To do otherwise might have brought mom embarrassment.
I read this passage, and I see so many other mothers in Mary. She knew someone who had a need, someone who was family, and she knew that her son could help. We cannot forget that she was his mom and He her natural son. As only a proud mother could do, she offered his help without consulting him first because she believed that he could be of service and expected him to want to be of service. She wanted everyone to see how special her baby was, so she placed him in the forefront. Jesus tells her explicitly that it is not yet his time to reveal who He is, but He also refuses to bring dishonor to his mother or embarrass her. He says his peace to her, but He does not defy her request. Like a good, honorable son, He obeys his mother and brings her great honor with the miracle He performs.
I always thought it was interesting that Mary had not asked Jesus to perform some other miracle as his first showing of his majesty. I am sure that they must have known people who were sick in some way or in need of miraculous intervention of another kind. It just amazes me that her request was for him to make more wine appear at this wedding feast. What amazes me even more is that He complied with her request not because it was so important to have wine at this event but because it was so important for him to honor his mother before others. Father, give us this kind of love and respect for our parents, that we would go above and beyond in order to bring them honor.