Wow, news travels
fast! The events that took place in the
small hamlet of Cana in Galilee but a few days prior to the Passover have
already reached the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Otherwise the way they confronted him would
not have made any sense. Why would they
ask a common-run-of-the-mill rabble-rouser to produce some “miraculous
sign”? Somehow someone who had attended
the wedding had communicated the “miracle” that had taken place in Cana. They made it their business to keep abreast
of happenings of note.
I am not
sure if the Jewish leaders who confront Jesus are at all convinced any miracle
had actually taken place in Cana or if they are simply trying to mock
Jesus. This is, after all, a time ripe
with false Messiahs, some of whom are attributed with miracles of various
types. The religious leaders, and perhaps
the temple CFOs, demand Jesus show them his credentials. He does not look like a Jerusalem-type. Jesus is probably dressed very modestly
without the trappings of the more sophisticated Jerusalem crowd. His accent appears to be from the north—from
Galilee. Nothing good could come from
Galilee; they are not even considered on equal social or spiritual footing as
people from the south—the blessed region of Judea.
The
credential they request is a sign—a miraculous one. “Make us some wine, Jesus!” “How about adding a little bread to go with
it?” There must have been more than a bit
of derision in their request. In their
eyes he is nothing but a country bumpkin with illusions of grandeur. Taking a righteous stance is not always easy
or popular, but it is always righteous.
Choosing to honor God and his will is all the authority I need to stare
down the status quo of injustice, greed, and ritualism. Jesus knows God is not being honored by what
is taking place in his house. He knows
the consequences. He is not disappointed. The opposition comes fast and furious. He is ready—he knows exactly where he stands.
No comments:
Post a Comment