It’s Not What You Think

It’s Not What You Think


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.” [Jesus replied] “Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:1-5 NIV

Over the years I have thought of Jesus as a very serious, almost brooding character. Even the scriptures that predicted his entrance into the world described him as someone full of sorrows and familiar with suffering (Ezekiel 53:3). But for the first time, I am looking at the words of Jesus in a different light. Instead of an irritated, "Why are you dragging me into this" sort of reluctance, I think Jesus was fostering his mom’s faith. He was reminding her of the words Simeon and Anna had spoken, "He will cause the fall and rise of Israel. He is the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:33-38). He took that moment to remind his mom of his real purpose in life. He took that moment to tell us of the impending spiritual cleansing and the “new wine” only he could bring.

I no longer think that Jesus turned water into wine at the insistence of his mom. Nor do I think that Jesus needed to be prodded into action. But I do think that Jesus waited for someone to ask for help. And then Jesus answered far and above the call. And maybe God is the same way with us. He can help. He wants to help. He is going to help. But He wants us to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8). God isn't so much full of angry reluctance to help as much as He longs to do more than we can ask (or imagine). But it all starts with asking, and with faith.

My mind is drawn to the Canaanite woman that asked Jesus to heal her daughter. He responded in telling her that he was sent only to the lost sheep if Israel. And her response was classic! She said that "Even dogs get crumbs." (Matthew 15:21-26). Jesus responded to his mom the same way that he responded to the Canaanite woman. He pushed back, I think, to encourage and challenge their faith. He wanted to bring out the condition of their hearts. Likewise, God sometimes "seems" to resist only in that He is revealing the condition of our hearts and growing our faith. And I think Mary gave the proper response. She responded with trust and instruction to "do whatever he tells you to do." And when we call for God to help us, trust the Lord. Sometimes it seems like God is saying no to us, but it may not be what you think. If we continue to hold on to the Lord, Blessing will come!