shani4jc

Many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus’ first miracle…the changing of the water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee.  We talked about this story in church recently and ever since then, I’ve been thinking about Mary’s role in the events that day.  When the bride’s family ran out of wine, it was Mary who brought it to Jesus’ attention.  Have you ever thought about why Mary wanted Jesus to do something about this situation?  We know they were invited to the wedding, but Scripture doesn’t give us any indication that they were close relatives of the bride, so getting more wine really wouldn’t be Mary’s responsibility.  Maybe she just was the kind of person who wanted to help, but I have to wonder if it wasn’t more than that.  I wonder if she knew the family would be humiliated and embarrassed if they ran out of wine.  In their culture, not having enough food and drink to last for the entire wedding celebration would bring scorn and shame to the bride’s family.  I wonder if when she thought of the shame and humiliation they would suffer, she thought back to the shame and humiliation she certainly suffered as a young unwed pregnant girl about thirty years prior.  I wonder if her scorn and rejection caused her to be very sensitive to others who may be suffering the same and if it made her want to do something to help them avoid it if at all possible.  I wonder if Mary remembered that day that her humiliation and embarrassment brought forth the very One whom she now turned to help this family avoid their impending humiliation.  No matter what Mary was thinking that day or what her motives were for helping that family, she certainly knew who to go to for help.  We can all learn by her example in this respect.  No matter what the problem or situation, He can and will help if only we ask Him.

“And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.” John 2:3