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Response
Jesus carefully timed elements of His ministry, even though people often seemed to question His timing. For instance, early in His ministry, Mary asked Jesus to perform a miracle at a wedding in Cana. Jesus replied, “My hour has not yet come” «Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. », (John 2:4). However, immediately afterward, He performed a miracle, which John described as “the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory” «This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. », (John 2:11).
Jesus had recently called His disciples, and both He and they were invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-2). Since Jesus had just recruited His disciples (compare the time stamps in John 1:29, 1:35, and 2:1), it was unlikely that the host was prepared for so many people, leading to a shortage of wine «And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. », (John 2:3). It appears that Mary, Jesus’ mother, might have been involved in organizing the wedding, as she instructed the servants at the event «His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. », (John 2:5). When Mary realized that the wine had run out, she informed Jesus «And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. », (John 2:3).
John 2:3), as if asking Him to rectify the situation with a miracle.
Perhaps Mary desired Jesus to reveal Himself publicly at that moment. Jesus responded initially by respectfully addressing her as “Woman” «Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. », (John 2:4). He used the same term to speak to others with whom He was conversing and ministering (Matthew 15:28;Luke 13:12;John 4:21;John 8:10;John 20:15). He also used the term later when caring for Mary during His crucifixion «When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! », (John 19:26). While Jesus ultimately respected Mary and her request, it may be that, in saying, “Woman, why do you involve me? . . . My hour has not yet come,” He was gently reminding her that it wasn’t her place to direct His ministry.
After Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come” «Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. », (John 2:4), Mary instructed those serving to do whatever Jesus told them «His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. », (John 2:5). Jesus instructed the servants to fill the waterpots used for handwashing (John 2:6-7). After they filled the pots with water “to the brim” (verse 7), Jesus told them to draw out what was in the pots and take it to the headwaiter «And he saith unto them
, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bore it. », (John 2:8). Sometime in the process, the water was turned into wine.
Without realizing where the wine had come from «When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants who drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, », (John 2:9), the headwaiter expressed his amazement that the best wine had been saved for last «and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. », (John 2:10). Most people at the wedding were not aware of the miracle—only the servants who drew the water-turned-to-wine and the disciples knew what Jesus had done. John further narrates that this act confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Christ, the Son of God, and “his disciples believed in him” «This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed in him. », (John 2:11).
Jesus’ words, “My hour has not yet come,” indicate that He was working on a divine schedule and that He was managing the pace at which people would be confronted with the reality of who He was. When Mary suggested that Jesus do something at the wedding, she likely wanted a more public miracle that everyone could see and glory in. Jesus knew it was not time for that yet. He did perform a miracle, but discreetly, and only a select group of people saw it.
Jesus knew His message that the kingdom of God was near «From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent:For the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17) would ultimately be rejected. He knew that He would die (Matthew 12:40-41) to pay for sin and to provide all who believe in Him with eternal life (John 5:24; John 6:47) and entrance into His coming Kingdom (Matthew 5:20, 48; 6:33). On some other occasions when Jesus performed miracles, He instructed those who were blessed by them not to broadcast what He had done (e.g., Matthew 8:4; Matthew 9:30; Matthew 12:16; 17:9; etc.). It seems that Jesus managed the momentum of His ministry so that things would happen according to God’s timing and not according to the will and whims of people. Even Jesus’ mother could not hurry things along. When Jesus said to Mary, “My hour has not yet come,” but then performed the miracle anyway, He demonstrated respect and compassion for Mary, but He also prioritized the scheduling in which the work of God was to be done.
