The first miracle of Jesus appeared to occur with some reluctance. Unlike other miracles, this miracle was one of convenience not of real need. Early in Jesus’ ministry, Jesus was attending a social event, a wedding, along with his mother and some of his disciples. More than likely, the wedding was for friends or extended family because Mary appears to be in some position of responsibility. Upon discovering that they were out of wine, Mary approached Jesus, “They have no more wine.” Note that she didn’t explicitly ask for Jesus’ help. However, there is certainly an implied request. There is an expectation. Mary appears to be struggling with a selfish attachment to Jesus.
How often do we “use” Jesus? He’s there when we need him, but if things are okay, why bother. I heard Matt Chandler say in one of his messages, paraphrasing, that we don't follow Jesus because he makes life better, we follow him because he is better than life.
Mary's reaction here is not dissimilar from Luke 2:48-50 when Joseph and Mary had lost Jesus and had found him teaching in the temple at age 12. She had a motherly attachment and along with that, an expectation of Jesus in her life. In Luke when Jesus responded that he was living for the purpose to which he had been sent, Luke 2:50 (NLT) says that Mary and Joseph “didn’t understand what he meant.” Some 18 years later, she still didn’t fully grasp the role of Jesus.
Before we become too judgmental, do we treat Jesus as if he is “for us” rather than our being called to live “for him.” Jesus’ response indicates a sense of reluctance. “Dear woman, why do you involve me? ... My time has not yet come.” First of all, Jesus doesn’t refer to her as mother. He uses this same reference to her at his crucifixion when he asks John to care for her. While he certainly loved her, he knew that she was simply a vessel for revealing God’s glory. The traditional relationship of mother and son did not apply here. We don’t have complete insight to Mary’s motivation, but it does appear to be self-centered albeit with faith. She went to Jesus’ because she believed that he could do something. She had witnessed his miraculous birth – she was a part of it. Although she struggled with the full meaning, she knew he was the Messiah. That said, she was looking to Jesus to bail her out of this situation.
Jesus’ reluctance probably results from two concerns:
1) He was baptist and didn't believe in drinking wine ... just kidding :-).
Seriously:
1) Mary’s relationship with him needed to be clarified. He was not her “tool.” He was here for a greater purpose.
2) This request was one of convenience not of need and not directly fulfilling the purpose for which Christ was sent.
Nonetheless, as with all circumstances, God works within them to reveal his glory. He performed this miracle in a most excellent way – not simply providing the wine, but providing the best wine from jars filled with water. And God uses this to reveal the glory of his Son: “This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed … He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” Jesus used this insignificant situation to show his power and glory and begin his journey with his disciples. Let us not view Jesus as our tool of convenience. Let us see him as God and one worthy of our service.
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