THE GOSPEL OF JOHN– Part 16
John 2:1, “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Verse 2. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. Verse 3. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Verse 4. And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
These verses and this incident is regarded as Jesus first miracle. A closer inspection reveals something more. This is a contrast in perspectives, a contrast in paradigms. It is not too much to say that, since His birth, this is a first glimpse of Messiah. The Christ is arrived, the transformation is beginning. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The mother of Jesus, like most of us, is busy with earthly matters. Her concerns are focused on a wedding and the need of wine for the guest’s pleasure and comfort. So, she informs Jesus that the wine has been depleted. One can only assume from this that she either wants Jesus to fetch more wine, or she is aware of His ability to miraculously deal with the issue.
However, considering
- What Mary had heard from Gabriel at the Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38),
- What the angel told Joseph in his dream, presumably (Matthew 1:18–25);
- What Elizabeth told Mary by the Holy Spirit at the Visitation (Luke 1:39–56);
- What Gabriel told Zechariah about his own son John, presumably (Luke 1:5–23);
- What the shepherds told Mary at the Nativity they heard from the heavenly host (Luke 2:8–20); and
- What Simeon and Anna told Mary at the Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22–38).
It is with a high degree of certainty that Mary knew Jesus could deal with this matter miraculously.
Jesus’ blunt sounding response to His mother is revealing: John 2:4. “And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
The words He uses and the way in which Jesus addresses His mother, at first sounds irreverent and disrespectful. A closer inspection of the language shows us that is being both instructive and corrective, considering that His mother would ask such a thing.
Jesus is aware that His mother knows of His abilities and nature. He is plainly stating that His abilities are for the purpose of the calling and mission of His Father. Jesus had not come to serve man’s pleasures, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38)
Jesus is clearly, at this time, not ready to reveal His nature as God as His time has not yet come, and this was not the only time.
- Matthew 8:4, “And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
- Matthew 16:20, “Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.”
- Mark 8:30, “And He warned them to tell no one about Him.”
- Luke 8:56, “Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.”
As His time neared, Jesus says these life changing words, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word, (logos), which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words, (rhema),remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
You can read Jesus’ words at their face value and get what you need. But in case your understanding is incomplete or, your faith is weak on this matter, read a few words from Jesus’ prayer to His Father on our behalf, found in John chapter 17, “But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. And for their sake I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.”
“I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
We are one with Jesus and with God our Father. We remain in Him and His Words remain in us. We now have the mind and attitude of Christ. Now, we may ask whatever we wish, and it shall be done unto us!
PLEASE read the following carefully:
As most of you should know, we have entered the Last Days as spoken of in the Bible. We have witnessed the breaking of the first four Tribulation Seals, and are now witnessing the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal, the great apostasy and falling away from the faith, and an increasing persecution of saints; a time when good is called evil and evil is called good. We see the unleashing of the spirit of antichrist all over the world.
We are nearing the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, and the intensity is rising. We are seeing nations rising against nations, and kingdom against kingdom, and there are famines and earthquakes in various places. And because lawlessness has increased, we see that most people’s compassion is growing cold. Jesus has warned us that all these things are merely the beginning of the birth pains, and it is the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.
Jesus’ hour has come. You and I can live without fear. Doubts are calmed. Our needs are met. Our past is forgiven, and our future is secure. There is no weapon formed which can prosper.
I pray this will be a word of instruction and encouragement. I also ask that you read each page link for a complete teaching and greater understanding as the Day of the Lord draws near, so you will be ready to successfully endure to the end, being found doing what our Lord has commanded.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Previous chapter: The Gospel of John, Episode 15
Whitestone Fellowship 