Did you ever notice that Jesus worked in the most peculiar manner? Let's first analyze the passage in John 2 regarding the first miracle of Jesus' ministry: the water into wine. This passage has sparked more than one controversial discussion.
Here are some things to think about? Did Jesus condone drinking as part of a cultural celebration ceremony? Verse 10 has the master of the feast asking about the wine using the statement, "after the guests are drunk?" While many pastors try to explain how this is not the case and the wine was actually just a tasty form of grape juice, I think it is a moot point. That is not the focus of the passage and should not be used as such to support an argument in either direction. The focus of the passage is on Jesus and his response to his mother. Perhaps it would be better to look at this passage from the perspective of how to be honoring to your parents. After all, Jesus was not acting on his own initiative, but was responding to his mother's request despite it not being a necessary element of the larger plan. There's something to think about: God allowed Jesus to exercise authority of miracles toward a situation that only brought glory to him in Jesus' act of honoring his earthly parents.
Another question to be considered is the level of faith maintained by Mary in this situation. As we discussed several weeks ago in our group setting, Mary did not take the happenings of God lightly when Jesus was conceived and born. She thought about everything with an open mind toward God. I say that, because she was a part of events that had never been seen in Israel or the world for that matter. Then about 30 years later, she sees a problem and turns to Jesus for help. In one regards, it is perfectly natural for verse 3 to take place since she was being a proper Jewish woman and seeking the advice of the head male for the family. (It is assumed that Joseph has passed away, making the eldest son, Jesus, the head of the family.) But her answer to Jesus' question, "what does this have to do with me..." is very peculiar. She tells the servants to obey Him to the letter. Why? My impression from this passage is that she judged by His response that He would help. She exhibits a curious faith here, because I would take that answer as a no.
When Jesus turns the water into wine, he does it as a silent miracle. Only the servants know about it, and they are in no position to explain to the wedding guests what has happened. Thus, the focus is still on Jesus and His mother. He responded to her request by politely reminding her that she was asking Him to perform an action that was not a requirement of His calling and purpose. Then, he does it. He did not have to, but he did. He showed honor to his mother. Jesus, Almighty God in human flesh, submitted to His earthly mother and fulfilled the law in honoring her. You can ponder that for years, and I wonder if the magnitude of it will ever sink in.
What do you think?
