When I watch the kids its like this...
But for real, I admire moms for a lot of things but one thing is their wisdom. I'm reminded of that in John 2.
In John 2, Jesus begins his public ministry. Say what you want that John decides that the first place he'd take his new disciples was to a wedding where he performed a miracle of turning water to wine. But there is one part that particularly stood out to me.
I can imagine the disciples following Jesus a little timid, not quite knowing what they're getting into. Maybe like this. And he's just like, "Hey guys lets swing by and see my momma and dem real quick. They're at this wedding thing."
While they're there, Jesus' mom gets him into a little bit of an awkward position. Mary is just like most moms. Most moms tend to see a little more in us than we see in ourselves.
At the wedding, they ran out of wine. And Mary, seeing a little more in Jesus than what he's ready for, volunteers him for the position. With his disciples around, she looks at them (and the other servants) and says, "Do whatever he tells you." #Wisdom
And what follows next would just be awesome to be a part of... He performs his very first miracle. He turns a ton of water into a ton of wine. I'd sign up for follow that Jesus.
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And then the next story...
Jesus goes into the temple, and finds people doing business there. And honestly, this is pretty normal. For people to be doing business in and around the temple was normal practice. So why does Jesus get so angry?
Check out verse 16...
"To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"
Why to the ones who sold doves and not everyone? Why does he point out the dove sellers?
The answer can be found deep in the pages of the Old Testament and very early on in the New Testament. In Leviticus 12, God tells the Jewish people specifically to offer sacrifices at the temple for their children. And what we find in Leviticus 12:7-8 is:
"'7b These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons..." Leviticus 12:7-8
In a place that is supposed to helping the poor, they're taking advantage of them. Jesus is defending the poor. But for Jesus, it hits a little closer to home than that...
"When the time came of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took [Jesus] to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: 'a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Luke 2:22-24
Jesus' family, was one of the poor families that was being taken advantage of. And so, in his righteous anger, he puts an end to it. He starts flipping tables monopoly style. Maybe they see a vein bulging in Jesus' forehead. But what they also see...this might not be all "water to wine."
At this point I can imagine the disciples wondering "What in the world did we just get ourselves into? This is going to be tough. I'm not sure I'm down for this."
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Here is what God is whispering to me as I read John 2:
If you are willing to follow Jesus to the wedding reception; if you're willing to celebrate with Jesus; if you're willing to accept the praise that comes with following Jesus at times; you also have to be willing to stand with Jesus when its time. You've got to be willing to defend the poor, even when the standard is to take advantage of them. You've got to be willing to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God" always and not just when its convenient.
We all want to be there with Jesus when the Master of the Banquet give the praise but are you willing to stick it out when following Jesus leads you into chaos?
Maybe Mary's words are also just as applicable in the Temple as they are at the wedding feast, "Do whatever he tells you..."
And the anticipation for Jesus builds...
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