The first woman we see Jesus interacting with was His Mom, Mary.
Jesus loved His mom. He showed her love by meeting her needs and making sure she was taken care of properly. He had compassion for her. He took being a son seriously and fulfilled His responsibilities to her. He did everything out of a heart that loved.
In John 2, we get a glimpse at the relationship between Jesus and His Mom. The backdrop is a Jewish wedding ceremony in the town of Cana. Jesus was at the very beginning of His ministry. He was there with His mother and His disciples.
While they were at the wedding, news reached Mary that the wedding’s hosts ran out of wine. This was going to be a major embarrassment for the bride and groom. When Mary heard of the problem, she went to Jesus to solve it. Where else would she go?
Over the years, Jesus had proven to Mary that she could rely on Him. After Joseph died, Jesus took over the family business and ran the carpenter’s shop to provide for the family. He helped raise His brothers and sisters until they were grown. As the oldest son, He embraced responsibility and let Mary know that she could count on Him. So, when Mary saw a young couple about to be disgraced on their big day, she went to Jesus to solve the problem.
Jesus responded to His mom’s request tenderly. Although His words may sound like a disrespectful reproof to us, when I was studying this passage I found His answer was actually quite tender. It is clear that Jesus didn’t intend to refuse her request, but only to delay it. Her response shows that she was not offended, but she knew He would handle things.
His response was actually something like, “Mom, don’t worry about it. This isn’t something to for us to worry about. The proper time for intervening hasn’t come yet. When it does, I will handle it.”
Isn’t that beautiful?
Jesus didn’t handle her harshly and say, “Listen Lady, I’m here with my friends. What do you want?”
He didn’t just hear her words, but He saw her heart that wanted to help the young couple. He didn’t act like she was a bother or a nuisance, but He listened to her and He helped her. Once again, He proved to Mary that she could rely on Him.
Jesus wants all of us to learn to rely on Him the way that Mary did. He wants each of us to know that we aren’t a nuisance or a bother to Him. He doesn’t think our requests are silly or annoying. He wants us to rely on Him for everything.
For me, this is a difficult truth to embrace. It is easier for me to be self-reliant than to trust Jesus and rely on Him.
You see, I grew up in an area where women were not treasured. They were seen as servants to men. Most of the men that I knew were very selfish and wanted women to be there to wait on them. If a woman needed something from a man, it was seen as a major imposition. Coming from this background, there have been times when it was hard for my heart to believe that Jesus wanted me to come to Him. Still, that is exactly what He is teaching me.
Over the years I have struggled back and forth between trying to solve problems myself and trusting Him to solve them for Me. When I have laid down my defenses, and relied on Him, He has never let me down. Jesus has always been there to help me, provide for me, and guide me.
When I ask His choice in my decisions, His choices are always better than mine. Everyday, I am learning more and more that I am not a bother to Him, but that He wants to be there for me and all of His ladies.
It is Jesus’ heart’s desire for all of us to see that He is reliable and that He wants us to rely on Him. He wants us to get up in the morning and say, “Please walk with me and help me through today.”
When we have a choice or a decision, He wants us to say, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” He will answer us and lead us in ways that are best for us.
He wants us to come to Him with everything, anytime. Jesus never meant for us to go through life alone. He wants us relying on Him. Like Mary, we will see that He is reliable and He wants to be there for us.
Scripture Reference: John 2:1-12
