My Bible reading today was so appropriate to MOTHER’S DAY. (Thank you, God!)  It was from John 2:1-12

Jesus, with five of his new disciples and his mother Mary, attended a wedding in Cana. They were probably family or close friends with the couple.

Towards the end of the ceremony the wine ran out (a BIG no-no). Mary went to Jesus for help. For maybe 15 years she had been depending on her oldest son to “take care of things” since she was probably a widow by then. It was “natural” for her to do so now.

But Jesus, at 30, had just embarked on “His Heavenly Father’s Business,” his mission as the Messiah and Savior (sin-sacrifice) for his people. Perhaps Mary didn’t know about his recent 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, or his baptism, or the sign of the Holy Spirit descending on him, or John the Baptist calling him “the Lamb of God.”

She only knew Jesus was her son and he could somehow (she may not have expected a miracle) take care of this embarrassing family problem.

But the time had come to set things straight. Jesus firmly, but tenderly, let his mother know that their relationship had changed. She would now have to depend on her other sons for physical help. He had different work to do.

Perhaps not understanding, she nevertheless told the servants to do what he said. Jesus, honoring his mother (the 6th commandment), performed a miracle, changing the water in several large pots into premium wine.

John calls this the FIRST SIGN (out of 8) that would be Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah, the Son of God.

AFTER THE WEDDING, verse 12 says that Jesus, his disciples, his brothers, AND HIS MOTHER went down to Capernaum for a few days.

I wonder if during this time Jesus tenderly reminded Mary of what the angel had told her and Joseph before he was born – that he was the Son of God, and that his mission was to be the Savior of his people.

Did Mary remember her own words to the angel, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word?” [i]

Did Mary then remember old Simeon’s prophetic words to her when they went to the Temple to dedicate Jesus?  “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is (violently) opposed, AND A SWORD WILL PIERCE THROUGH YOUR OWN SOUL ALSO, so that thoughts from many hearts will be revealed.” [ii]

Was she now beginning to feel that sword pricking her soul as she watched Jesus withdraw from her and begin to fulfill his Heavenly mission?

Did Mary’s thoughts also revisit that panic time in Jerusalem, when she and Joseph had searched for the 12-year-old Jesus, finally –after three days – finding him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them, asking them questions, and amazing all who heard at his answers.

Did she remember his words?  “Know you not that I must be about my Father’s business?” [iii]

It must have been HARD for her to let “her boy” go. To become his servant instead of his mother. To finally believe in him as the Savior of the world…. as HER own savior.

A further shock came to her when shortly after this time in Capernaum they went to Jerusalem for Passover and Jesus – her son, the Savior and Son of God – took cords and violently turned out the animals and merchants and money changers from the temple, saying, “Do not make my Father’s house a house of trade!” [iv]

There would be other revealing times, but Mary eventually learned this lesson:  Jesus considers ALL who “do the will of the Father” as his mother and brothers and sisters. [v]  The Father’s will is for us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. [vi] Those who do, become God’s children  [vii] and joint heirs with Jesus. [vii]

Mary’s soul would be pierced through as she watched her beloved son hang in agony on a cross. But oh, the joy that would flood that soul to see Him resurrected in glory.

My Lord and my God!

Think about  Mary on MOTHER’S DAY!  Remember her joys, her sorrows, and the important lesson she began to learn at a wedding celebration in Cana.

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[i]     Luke 1:38

[ii]    John  2:34-35

[iii]   Luke 2:49

[iv]   John 2:16

[v]    Mark 3:35

[vi]   John 6:40

[vii]  John 1:12

[viii] Romans 8:16-17