"Mom and the Big Fat Jewish Wedding" John 2:1-11

I could easily have given this commentary a normal title like "Water into Wine," but the prominent place of Mary in this passage, including mention of her in the opening verse merits a different headline. The relationship of Mary and John (the gospel writer) is interesting. Later, in John 19, at the cross, Jesus places his mother in the care of John, the youngest of the disciples. When Tina and I visited Ephesus in 1999, we saw Mary's house and the location of what was once John's house.

The personality of Mary in the story is that of a stereotypical Jewish mama who, even though she lived in a patriarchal society, still called the shots. It is Mary who goes to Jesus and tells him that they are out of wine. To run out of wine was both bad hospitality for the guests and a bad omen for the marriage. When Mary approaches Jesus, he at first gives her the apparent brush off, "Woman, why are you coming to me about this?" We are not given the tone of voice here, but it is the same language as at the cross when he says about John, "Woman, behold your son." The NIV translates this as "dear woman" to try and convey the care and high esteem in which he held his mother, but the Greek does not contain that. I wonder if that wasn't his pet name for his mother, like "lady" or "darling." Most likely, it was the way of speaking in that day between an adult man and a woman (whether that was a wife, a sister or mother).

Regardless, it is not as abrupt or disrespectful as it seems. Jesus questions the timing, as he knows that his miracles will draw crowds and with them the suspicion and concern of the religious leadership. Mary refuses to take no for an answer, telling the people to do whatever Jesus tells them. This is very much in the character of Mary, who even in her "Magnificat" in Luke 1 shows a bold and challenging style. It is a far cry from the docile Mary with the halo we often see depicted in art and film.

The miracle now changes focus to Jesus and what he does. The ceremonial water jugs, when full, carry 20-30 gallons. That there were that many jars there point to the fact that the wedding was a large community-wide event, anticipating that many people would need to ceremonially wash their hands. They would wash themselves often, for the wedding feast would last as long as a week. Jewish folks knew (and still know) how to party and celebrate. For those of us who have seen Jesus as a no-fun, no excessive celebration (a la NFL) kind of guy, might want to take a second look. In his parables, he uses the wedding celebration as the background for some of his teaching. This will show even more in the miracle.

Jesus tells them to fill the jars with water and then take the water to the banquet master (quite an unnecessary gesture for water!), but he knows what they don't know. As they take out the water, they notice it looks like wine. They don't tell the master where they got it. He tastes it and immediately calls the groom aside. "You have been quite extravagant here, saving the best wine for last, giving it out when people are least likely to appreciate it. Now is the time for the cheap stuff. But it is good, real good."

So the party continues and the omen for a bad marriage has been transformed into a blessing. The groom is now serving wine to his guests he could never afford. And, according to the story, only those who had the water jars know how the exquisite wine got there. Saving the best for last...God has a way of doing that over and over, including in your life and mine. He also changes situations of curse into situations of blessing. Grace upon grace upon grace. Isn't that just like Jesus?!