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?
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteAs you have stated in your entry for April 25, John Chapter 2 is a very interesting episode within the life of Christ. You made a good point how Jesus showed respect and deference toward His mother’s request. “Honor thy father and thy mother”.
This was not necessarily His plan. In verse 4 we read, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come”. Here Jesus was stating that this was not how He intended to announce His public ministry. In verses 14 – 16, Jesus drove those who were desecrating God’s house from the temple. This was His public announcement that He had begun His ministry, to banish sin from inner temple of men. Interestingly, Jesus also ended His ministry by cleansing the temple (Mark 11:15). It is the similarities between actual and symbolic references within John Chapter 2, which inspires deep meditation.
The water and the wine have deep spiritual meaning. The water represents the power of the Holy Spirit, sanctification (John 4:14). The wine represents His blood, the power of justification with God through Christ. Of course, these are two cornerstones within the Christian faith. Without Christ, “ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can we overcome sin. It is not enough to believe in Christ. We must allow Him to reform our lives. Christ repeated this important symbolism at the end of His life. In John 19:34 we read, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water”. In order for the Holy Spirit (water) to be effective in our lives, we need Christ (wine or blood). And of course, if Christ is truly in our lives, the power of the Holy Spirit is necessary to overcome our sinful nature.
Thank you for the post Ryan!
Point of Clarification:
ReplyDeleteThe second paragraph starts out by saying that “this was not necessarily His plan”. That is it was not the plan of Christ to announce His public ministry during this marriage festivity. Obviously, Christ always obeyed and would always obey His parents. :)
Thanks