Mary - Mother of Jesus

“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:3–5)

Why did Mary urge Jesus to perform His first miracle if He said His time had not yet come? This truly is a spectacular event. Mary—moved by empathy and the urging of the Holy Spirit—clearly signaled to Jesus that the moment for His glory to be revealed was right then. This insight adds brilliance to the verses that follow: “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).

Mary has long been a subject of contention within the Christian Church, which is tragic. While one side may lift her higher than Scripture supports, the other is often so reluctant to focus on her that they fail to recognize her place as an outstanding example of faithfulness. Personally, I find it fascinating to consider just how “highly favored” Mary truly was.

At first, one might think she was favored simply because she was the chosen mother of the Son of God, but that is a shallow assessment. If God had simply performed this miracle without her involvement, or initiated her pregnancy without her consent, the enemy could have portrayed it as an invasive act. Instead, just as Jesus explained to John the Baptist that His baptism was necessary “to fulfill all righteousness,” it was equally necessary that Mary give her consent. To be clear, God did not need her consent, but He is a wise and loving God who honors our free will—which, in turn, gives us the opportunity to glorify Him by exercising our faith.

Keep in mind that God is truly omniscient. He told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God knows who we will become before we do. Mary was not favored merely because God selected her, but because God knew the choices she would make and the faith she was capable of as His creation.

God knew that when she was told she would be the mother of Jesus, she would respond faithfully: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” He knew she would prophesy while visiting the mother of John the Baptist. He knew she would treasure the moment she found her adolescent son in the temple. He knew Mary would urge Jesus to perform the first miracle of His ministry at exactly the right moment. And He knew she could endure the crucifixion of her own Son as the precious Lamb of God. No doubt God knew far more about Mary than we see in Scripture.

Ultimately, God chose her because she possessed a perfect faith. Just as she said to the servants at Cana, she says to us in those moments when we might focus on her a little too intensely: “Do whatever He tells you.”

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Mary's beautiful spirit of “Yes.” Grant us that same quiet strength and humble obedience to trust Your plan, even when it leads us into the unknown. Help us to treasure Your word in our hearts as she did, and to serve You with a devotion that seeks no glory for itself, but points always to Your Son. Amen.

mgb