John 2:1-11

¹Jesus’ mother was there, ²and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” ⁴“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” …¹⁰“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

When religion runs out, Jesus is the answer

Today’s passage describes an incident known as Jesus’ first miracle in public. At a wedding in a village close to Jesus’ hometown, the hosts run out of wine. Jesus miraculously helps out and turns water into wine. How beautiful and simple is this message: Whenever we run out of what we need, Jesus is there to help us! Do we need to dig any deeper or is this just enough for us to know?

We all have learned from experience that life is more complex than this. Therefore, the Bible does not consist of only one sentence but is a book of hundreds of pages, written by authors over many centuries. Let’s have a closer look at some of the details in this passage. They give more insight into who Jesus is and who we are as human beings:

• Jesus shared his life with his family and friends. He participated in important events in society.
• Mary knew her son very well. She carried him for nine months in her womb, knowing that this baby was entirely human and entirely God. Seeing him grow up, she surely learned more and more about what this meant. At that wedding, she was fully aware of Jesus’ might and power.
• Mary was probably a close friend of the newly married couple. She wanted to protect them from public shame.
• She knew that Jesus could help them and asked him to do so.
• Jesus didn’t react as smoothly as we would expect him to. Was it not God, his Father, who had taught him to honor his parents? He clearly objected to being told what to do but acted in accordance with his Father in heaven.
• Mary seemed not to be offended. On the contrary, she encouraged the servants to do whatever Jesus told them.
• The servants listened to both Mary and Jesus, and obeyed.
• Finally, Jesus responded to the wedding couple’s need. He acted in the most gracious and generous way and provided wine in quantity and superior quality.

What a joy and comfort to know that Jesus sees our needs, he listens to our questions and requests and answers us at the right time in accordance with the will of our Father in heaven! How good to be reminded by Mary’s words to do whatever he asks us to!