John 2 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Yeshua’s mother was there, and Yeshua and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. When the wine ran out, Yeshua’s mother told Him, ‘They don’t have any more wine.’ ‘What has this concern of yours to do with Me, Woman!?’ Yeshua asked, My hour has not come.’” John 2:1-4
The fifth Commandment reads: Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the L_rd has given you to. Exodus 20:12

When I was young in my faith, I remember reading today’s passage, and wondering if Yeshua sinned in He reply to His mother. Personally, if I ever called my mother “Woman”, she would have slapped me! In actuality, Yeshua’s meaning was lost in translation.

In the Greek language, “genu’e”, means “woman”. But “genu’e!”, is endearing, more like, “Mother”. Therefore, Yeshua is not disobeying the commandment to honor His mother, with His tone or His response.

We know that Yeshua honored & cared for His mother, even from the cross. Before His death, He entrusted Miriam’s (Mary’s) keep to “The disciple whom He especially loved.” John 19:25-27 Also, in the end, Miriam regarded Him as L_rd, for she was present and praying with the other disciples in the upper room, after His resurrection. Acts 1:14
All that said, Yeshua’s response to His mother was gracious, but also commanding.

Imagine yourself in Miriams shoes. Ever since the Angel’s herald, you have been told Yeshua was destined for greatness. Luke 1:35, 43 Others had also prophesied about Him. Luke 2:25-38 Although not always with understanding, you have observed His development. Luke 2:40, 51 Last, you had been told future generations would bless you because of Yeshua. Luke 1:48

Yeshua’s comment to His mother, in today’s passage, was meant to aide her transition from seeing Him as a child, to seeing Him as Her L_rd. He was keeping her from undue pride, and indicating that He, as L_rd, sovereignly determines when He will intervene in human affairs. Yeshua does not perform miracles on demand, to merely impress His friends or even to please His mother.

It is a good lesson for us. G_d is not our “genie” in Heaven. We don’t simply rub Him & wish. We are commanded to pray, “Your will be done”, and we must trust He knows the exact hour (even the exact moment) when the miraculous is necessary.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Assistant Rabbi
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Friday, June 28, 2013

 




 

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