A Mother's Faith

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee, Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.  When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”  “Dear woman, why do you involve me?”  Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.””  John 2:1-5

The first recorded miracle of Jesus takes place at a wedding celebration. It is a familiar passage to many and rather delightful.  All the apostles and some family members are enjoying the celebration together; even the mother of Jesus is there to enjoy the party.

 But the bad news is that the wedding festivities are about to be throttled.   The wine has run out! For the host family there will be embarrassment at this oversight.   Help is needed and needed fast. It is as if only Jesus can save the celebration from an abrupt end and the hosts from awkwardness.  

I love how Jesus’ mother, Mary, behaves in this passage.  She is truly a mother who knows her son and believes in Him.  When she notices the supply of wine has been exhausted, she strolls up to Jesus and tells Him the problem.  Why would she seek Him out, why inform Him?  Does she expect Him to run to the corner liquor store and buy a couple more cases of wine?  No, it is more than that.  This is the woman that has been watching this Person grow up; the one human who has known Jesus like no other.  Recall the words of Luke in the account of Jesus’ birth; “But Mary treasured up all these things (the birth, the shepherds, the angel chorus) and pondered them in her heart.”  Again after Jesus’ time in the temple when He was 12 years old, we are told the same thing:  “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”  Mary seems a thoughtful person who would consider the experiences she had been through and only then make up her mind.   This child she birthed was no ordinary child, to be sure, and Mary saw much of what He was, what was evident.  More important, she believed in Him.  

Jesus’ reply to Mary’s request is straightforward, not rude.  He is on His own schedule, not ours. We ask, He responds when the time is right.  Often, this is neither easy nor pleasant, but we are not God.  When Mary asks for help, Jesus lets her know that He is not ready then.  Does Mary go off in a huff?  Does she go to plan B?  When we ask for help from God and He says wait, do we respond with a pouty face and long sighs?  Do we get angry or frustrated? Do we turn our back on Him and attempt our own way?

 Mary shows a way for us, when the right time is not our time.  Her faith in the power of Jesus, for it is faith that is evident, leads her to tell the servants to follow any directions given by Jesus.  What could she have in mind?  Did she even know what to expect?  I think what she did know was Jesus.  She had enough experience with Him to know He could do something and perhaps might.  I think that throughout the time she had pondered all the events of His life, she knew enough to not give up, to continue to hope.  She knew He was able. 

I come away thinking my faith could stand to ponder more about Jesus.  My faith needs to remember and hold in my heart all the things I know of Jesus and all the experiences He has already carried me through.  Then, when He says ‘Wait,” I can wait and also be ready at the same time.