Well, here’s one of the story lines. It’s about Jesus’ retort to his mom. I’m not sure about you, but I can’t imagine saying these words to my mom in response to her request for help. So perhaps I’m missing something. First he calls her “Woman”! What was that all about? I would have lost a couple of teeth before the word ever left my lips. My mom has a wicked right cross! Then Jesus follows the opening statement with words to the affect, “What do your tiny concerns have to do with me? I have bigger fish to fry! In fact, my moment has not come yet. Just let me be.” I am definitely missing something.
Well, yes and no. Jesus is not being rude or curt with his
mother, but he is being firm. The term
“woman” is not a harsh term, rather one of affection and love. Compare it to the scene in John 19:26. It does not carry the connotation it denotes
today, rather one of respect and deep affection.
One the other hand his response, “What does
this have to do with me?” is also very telling of their relationship. It does
appear that Mary is trying to be the catalyst that pushes Jesus into his
ministry. Mary is there all those years
since his miraculous birth and childhood.
See sees him develop into a young man and then into an adult—exemplary
in every facet of his life. She knows
the reason for his birth: to “save his people.”
She knows he has been baptized recently.
She sees the change in him after his forty day sojourn into the desert.
But she does not know the meaning of “save his people.” She does not understand that although she has
been a vessel; she could never be the catalyst.
Jesus is being guided “by the Spirit” (Matthew 4:1). The Holy Spirit was the One that set the
tone, the tenor, and the timing of his ministry. And so, in his own tender way, he reminds her
of that fact. Which ought to lead me to
the question, “Who is the final arbiter in the major decisions of my life?” “Am I unwavering in my choice to let God
lead?” “Does he not often speak to me
through people?”
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