You remember the story, don’t you? Jesus and his mother go to a wedding and at the reception, the newlyweds run out of wine. It’s a socially embarrassing situation and Mary, the mother of Jesus, being a kind and incredibly compassionate woman, shares the predicament with Her son.
“Do whatever he tells you.”
He is, it appears, unconcerned about the situation. Jesus informs His mother that His time has not yet come. According to the story in John’s Gospel, Mary says nothing more to Jesus but goes to the servants working the affair and utters the famous directive, “Do whatever he tells you.” Those are the last words she speaks in the Gospel of John.
It is obvious that Mary knows that, despite Jesus’ seeming protestation, He will do exactly what His mother has asked. We are not told exactly where the players in this scene are situated. Was Jesus standing next to His mother when she directed the servants to do whatever He tells them? Or did she indicate with her hand pointing in His direction through the crowd, “There He is; over there talking and laughing with those other gentlemen (some of His disciples).” Either way, Jesus knows what His mother expects of Him and He will not deny her request.
The best wine…
So it goes that the six stone jars are filled with water per Jesus’ instructions and then taken to the wine steward to taste and to authorize its use. Which the incredulous steward does, of course, with the proclamation that this is a far superior wine than the wine that was served earlier and which the guests had greedily consumed. This is so surprising to the steward because, as he explains to the couple, most people serve the best wine first until the guests have had a bit to drink and will no longer be as, shall we say, ‘discriminating’ about the quality of the wine after their first couple of cups.
But that’s Jesus’ way. He gives us nothing but the best. He doesn’t know how to present us with anything but the most exquisite gifts. He often gives us things we didn’t even know we need. And, something else we should note is that Jesus loves His mother dearly and would never deny her what she asks of Him. Mary shows us through this story that Mother Mary always asks for things on behalf of others, never for herself. She has proven more than once how selfless she is, after all.*
The very best!
Keep that in mind the next time your reserves are running low, the next time you feel like what you are supposed to, or are expected to, provide for others is near the bottom of the jar, when you only have the dregs to offer. Make a request of Jesus to fill your jar with the choicest, the finest, ‘wine’ which is what He longs to provide to us – the very best. That is all He offers. His grace is enough. And consider this: ask His mother to go to Jesus on your behalf. It is obvious, in this early account within John’s Gospel, that Mary, the mother of Jesus, the mother of God, knows her Son well. She knows His compassionate heart that only beats for each of us loves us mercifully and without end.
There’s no need to worry or fear that Jesus will leave you on empty. The only thing Jesus leaves empty is the grave. Whether it’s that of Lazarus or His own. (And ours one day!) By His Resurrection, and the fact that He tells us He is the Resurrection and the life (that’s in John’s Gospel, too), we know that death is conquered for us, as well. He can do anything. but most crucially Jesus wants to fulfill our every need, every spiritual need. Talk to Jesus and His mother about your need to be filled; ask for the good gifts only God can provide.
*See Luke 1:26–38, the Annunciation – Mary’s fiat (“Let it be done to me according to they word.”)
Drowning in Lemonade 