April 22: Believing His Salvation.
HIS CONCERN.
And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."--John 2:4
In some places of the world, weddings are not just an occasion for one evening. Instead, celebrations continue over several days. I attended a wedding like that, which lasted a whole week. It was a wonderful family reunion, filled with joy and with much work, too, because most of the food came directly from the family's farm. The hosts went to great lengths to ensure that the guests had plenty of food and drink available, which was a very important part of their hospitality.
There was a wedding taking place in Cana (John 2:1), the home of Nathaniel (John 21:2), which was not far from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. The mother of Jesus (not identified by name) was there and seemed to have had some level of responsibility in the preparations for the festivities, appearing in an active role only here and at the cross in this Gospel. For the first time in His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples were appearing at a public event together. By attending this wedding, Jesus endorsed this divinely ordained institution (see Genesis 2:22-25). These celebrations used to take up to seven days, and in this instance the host ran out of wine, which was a huge breach of social etiquette and general expectations for three reasons: it disturbed the merriment, it was a sign of lack of hospitality, and the host could be liable, as the bridegroom's family was legally required to supply wine for the whole week. The mother of Jesus, used to relying on her Son for help and resources, came to Him in this time of need. Yet she discovered that much had changed since she last saw Him: He had started His public ministry, He had been baptized with the Holy Spirit, and He had been to the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And now a group of disciples follow Him. Jesus said: "Woman...My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4). Jesus didn't address her as "mother," which highlights that even family ties were now subject to His redemptive identity and mission. Jesus was aware of, and provided for, their temporary needs (see tomorrow's devotional), yet His most prominent concern was, and continues to be, the plan of redemption.
My Response:_______________________________________________________
HIS CONCERN.
And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."--John 2:4
In some places of the world, weddings are not just an occasion for one evening. Instead, celebrations continue over several days. I attended a wedding like that, which lasted a whole week. It was a wonderful family reunion, filled with joy and with much work, too, because most of the food came directly from the family's farm. The hosts went to great lengths to ensure that the guests had plenty of food and drink available, which was a very important part of their hospitality.
There was a wedding taking place in Cana (John 2:1), the home of Nathaniel (John 21:2), which was not far from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. The mother of Jesus (not identified by name) was there and seemed to have had some level of responsibility in the preparations for the festivities, appearing in an active role only here and at the cross in this Gospel. For the first time in His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples were appearing at a public event together. By attending this wedding, Jesus endorsed this divinely ordained institution (see Genesis 2:22-25). These celebrations used to take up to seven days, and in this instance the host ran out of wine, which was a huge breach of social etiquette and general expectations for three reasons: it disturbed the merriment, it was a sign of lack of hospitality, and the host could be liable, as the bridegroom's family was legally required to supply wine for the whole week. The mother of Jesus, used to relying on her Son for help and resources, came to Him in this time of need. Yet she discovered that much had changed since she last saw Him: He had started His public ministry, He had been baptized with the Holy Spirit, and He had been to the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And now a group of disciples follow Him. Jesus said: "Woman...My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4). Jesus didn't address her as "mother," which highlights that even family ties were now subject to His redemptive identity and mission. Jesus was aware of, and provided for, their temporary needs (see tomorrow's devotional), yet His most prominent concern was, and continues to be, the plan of redemption.
My Response:_______________________________________________________
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