It is quite telling that God, in all of his infinite wisdom
and capabilities, chose to come to earth not by materializing mysteriously from
vapor or spawning suddenly from a super-sperm. No, God chose the most natural
of vessels to become one of us. He wanted a mother.
The children God created in His image fell short from the
beginning. Generation after generation failed Him even more through
disobedience, ingratitude, and outright rebellion.
I imagine God sitting in the heavens above witnessing no
greater love on earth that that which a mother has for her children. So God
called Mary and offered to go in half on a baby. And Mary
said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to
your word.” (Luke 1:38a).
Knowing Jesus’ identity and purpose was all Mary needed to
enable Him to fulfill it. As a child, Jesus wandered off to the temple while
Mary and stepfather Joseph were returning from Jerusalem to Nazareth. They didn’t
have a car to turn around. The entire caravan had to double back after walking for a day on dirt roads in sandals and search for Jesus in Jerusalem for three days. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I
must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49 KJV). (Only The King James
Version captures how God really spake it).
That kind of sass would not go over well with an earthly
father, especially in the presence of so many witnesses. A man would have to
send a message to preserve his ego, but Mary understood and supported Jesus’
ministry—even unto the cross.
She was right there with him at the wedding at Cana. And you
know how parents love to embarrass us at weddings. No, Mary didn’t go there
about why Jesus was 30 and not yet married yet. She knew that was not his
destiny. More pressing matters were at hand:
When
the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, Woman, what does that
have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He
says to you, do it.”
This account has three important
elements. First, Mary saw a need and knew her child resolve it—no questions asked.
Mothers know their children’s gifts and limitations. A few are delusional about
what a genius or saint their offspring may be. However, for the most part, your
mother will give you the unadulterated truth about yourself. In this case, the wine
ran out and Mary knew her baby could hook some up to keep the party going.
Secondly, Jesus demurred. He knew
he had the power, but wanted to preserve his miracles for something more
redemptive. Mary knew that nothing would be more memorable for Jesus’ first
miracle than to perform this act. And she was right.
Third, Mary set the stage for Jesus
to perform. “Whatever He says to you, do
it.” There is something authoritative about a mother’s command. The wait staff launched into action getting jars and filling them with water. Then Jesus touched them.
TThe ruler of the feast was
astonished at how good Jesus’ wine was. People—from the beginning to this day—usually
serve the good libations first and break out the cheap stuff after the crowd is
drunk. He never lacked for followers after this. It’s not that the multitudes
understood fully what Jesus’ mission was. They were holding out for some more
of that really good wine.
That’s just the kind of mother I
have had. I cannot imagine being the person I have become without her unconditional love, constant
nurturing, and straight gangsta intervention. God bless mothers
everywhere for making life so abundant for us.
