Readings
Isaiah 62:1-6
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
Devotion
Peace be with you!
As adult children, we learn to swallow the words: “You were right, Mom.” There are times when we bow our heads and say those words with shame and a plea for forgiveness. Sometimes, we say those words because we are wise to see the positive influence that moms have. My mom has a way of foreseeing the long-term effects of a decision beyond anyone else. When I was a young child, my mom was viewed as a mean parent. She forced her daughter with Cerebral Palsy to get up earlier than most children to get dress and ready for school instead of letting her sleep and just dress her quickly. During my summer breaks, I got in and out of the pool independently. My mom built in extra time into our routine, so I could do as much as possible myself. Now as an adult, I am flying all over the country visiting friends and family and networking with colleagues. I even live in my own house with four dogs that I built and designed with my mom to meet my needs. My mom was right: I could be independent.
Jesus is having one of those moments with his mom, Mary, who understood his calling. Mary and Jesus are attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee where they run out of wine. Mary goes to Jesus and tells him to do something about it (John 2:3). She knows Jesus is meant to do wondrous things for the world, and it is time to show the world what God the Father has planned.
Jesus says it is not time (John 2:4). I wonder if Jesus was scared and confused to where he should begin his ministry for God the Father. Did Jesus not read the play (maybe rule) book? Whenever I have to start something new or stick my neck out, I am scared. Where do you even start?
I remember having that feeling when I was just beginning to outline my MA thesis. I knew the end product had to be fifty to eighty pages on something on the New Testament. It seemed like a hefty task. What I could possibly write of any worth to fill fifty to eighty pages? I image Jesus had a similar feeling.
A mother always knows when it is time for her child to spread his/her wings. Mary just tells the servants to do exactly what Jesus says (John 2:5). Can you see Jesus’ smirk as Mary walks away? Jesus has not said he would do anything, yet Mary leaves him to do the work. Jesus is in a bind: he is not ready to begin his ministry – he is still discerning – but Mary has suggested him to do something.
Jesus has no choice: he has to instruct the servants what to do. Jesus tells to fills the six empty jars with water to the brim (John 2:6-7), and then he said to draw some out and give it to the chief steward (John 2:8). Jesus puts his trust in God the Father to be used to show the world his glory.
When the servants take the wine to the chief steward to taste, he raved how the bridegroom saved the best wine for last (John 2:9-10). It may not have been Jesus’ plan to begin his ministry in the world this way, but God made his beginning glorious.
Sometimes you just need a shove to do something you keep putting off. Maybe you are not sure where to begin. Maybe you are afraid of failing or being a disappointment. I am going back to school to get my doctorate, which is something I wanted to do for four years. I have decided 2013 is my year to sink or swim. This means I have a lot of work ahead me, including research different programs, studying for the GRE, applying to a program or two, and more. And this is just the beginning. So here I go into the unknown.
Thanks be to God!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for having Mary push Jesus to begin his ministry and for all of the mothers, mentors and important people who gently push their children to make their dreams a reality. Help us to step out of our comfort zone to accomplish your glory. Remind us you are always with us and you will guide us in the wilderness. Thank you for giving us confidence to show the world your glory. Amen.
Works Cited
Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Reflective Questions
Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below. Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.) You can answer as many questions as you would like.
1. Who tends to push you to begin something? How is the Holy Spirit leading you?
2. What do you keep putting off? Is it time for you to sink or swim?