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More Than Meets the Eyes
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by Rev Gilbert Wong Introduction According to a New Testament Scholar – D.A. Carson - those chapters 2 to 12 of John’s Gospel are often called ‘book of signs’. These signs are as important as the object they are pointing to. When Christians are attracted to the signs and not to the object to which these signs point to is like having an instruction manual of vacuum cleaner without the vacuum cleaner itself. The whole experience of the vacuum cleaner would be better if both the instruction manual and the cleaner are both present. John’s Gospel is a Gospel of signs. John himself echoes that in 20:30-31: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” And the first miracle recorded for us is this wedding. Let us look at two signs in turn and derives some applications for ourselves. The Sign of Mild Rebuke Most Christians would feel that Jesus was a little less respectful of her mother. In verse 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” Now we do not know why Mary was so concerned about the wine running out. The fact that Jesus, his mother and his disciples were all invited to the same wedding suggests that the wedding was for a relative or close family friend. And Mary could have been put in charge of organizing the catering. That could explain why she was so anxious. Now in that society, a wedding could last as long as a week and it can be financially burdensome to have non-stop supply of wine for the entire duration of the wedding. It would have been a terrible embarrassment to run out of wine before the celebration had even ended. So what are we to make of the term ‘woman’ which is used to address Mary? In fact, ‘woman’ is not a rude address. D. A. Carson again, he says that ‘woman’ “is a thoroughly courteous term but not normally an endearing term, not the form of address preferred by a son addressing a much-loved mother.” That explanation could be accepted but what about the rest of the verse which reads “Why do you involve me? My time is not yet come?” Those words are words of distance and not of affection. It is almost a measured rebuke. So what does that tell us? It tells us that Jesus’ utter freedom from any kind of human advice, agenda, or manipulation. His sole purpose is to glorify his heavenly Father. In John 5:30, “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” These signs and in this case the wine help believers to witness the glory of Jesus. After the wine incident, we are told that the disciples witnessed his glory. John 2:11, “This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. So it is more than meets the eyes. This wondrous display of God’s power in changing water into wine points beyond itself to deeper realities that could only be perceived with the eyes of faith. Applications 1. In our day and age, many Christians are very keen to witness signs and wonders. Even to the content that if there are no signs and wonders, God is not present. This is dangerous teaching. Here we see that signs can be a downfall for many Christians. In fact, in John 6, we are told many of these so-called disciples left Jesus because they were simply following the signs and wonders. And when they were confronted with the hard teachings of Jesus which is what these signs point to, they left. 2. Not all bad signs are from the devil. We continue in our perils if we Christians keep insisting that bad things are from the devil. By bad things are meant suffering, sickness, and such similar things. The wine did run out and Jesus upon greater faith responded by changing water into wine. But that is not the end of the story. Jesus is referring to himself when the great wine will be served in the heavenly banquet. We must to discern the lessons behind the signs. The Sign of Mary’s Response One author puts it differently: “This must have been extremely difficult for Mary. She had borne him, nursed him, taught his baby fingers elementary skills, watched him fall over as he learned to walk; apparently she had also come to rely on him as the family provider. But now that he had entered into the purpose of his coming, everything, even family ties, had to be subordinated to his divine mission.” Mary was clearly rebuked for presuming on the family ties. But the way she responded speaks volumes of her persevering faith. Mary shakes off the gentle rebuke and exemplifies the best kind of persevering faith. And that is, despite the anxiety generated by the shortage of wine, Mary was perfectly contented to leave the matter in Jesus’ hands. And in John’s Gospel, Jesus seems to enjoy provoking people to greater faith. For John, Jesus’ miracles are not simply naked display of power, still less neat tricks to impress the masses of people. If you have time, do make a study of 4:47-50 where Jesus heals an official’s son, as well as 11:21-44 where Jesus raised Lazarus to life. Here at the wedding at Cana, the same thing happens. Jesus initially would refuse to help but then later Jesus would help in response to greater and deeper faith. In short, in 2:3 Mary approaches Jesus as his mother, and is reproached in 2:5, she responded as a believer, and her faith is honoured. Application 1. May I say that sometimes Christians give up too easily. Some say that God calls them to this and that and as soon as resistance appeared they turn to other softer options. It seems clear in this story that Jesus intentionally resists the first few attempts of his people. The death of Lazarus is a case in point. Along his way, Jesus was stopped a few times. He was some two days away. While on his way, Jesus was told that Lazarus was dead. 2. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. Mary is not contemptuous of Jesus. That is clear. But Mary at least is beginning to make use of her family ties as a way to get Jesus to do something. Mary was rebuked but her response was exemplary. We (including myself) should be rebuked by God when whatever connection we had established becomes the basis of getting thing done. For all we know, we may get it all wrong. We are closer to the heart of God, if we learn to take things of life lightly in the light of God’s glory. Let us pray. [Top] |
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Church of the Ascension, 13
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