Scripture to Read: John 2:4
When Jesus addressed Mary in John 2:4, He said, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” Most people today would say this sounds disrespectful, but we must understand the culture of Jesus’ day. Most commentators agree on this point—that what Jesus said to Mary was a term of respect. We don’t have any word in the English language that even comes close to what Jesus called Mary. Also, we must make sure we see that Jesus did not call Mary “mother,” which would have been culturally correct. Jesus was emphasizing to Mary that He was her Messiah. It is not recorded here in John 2:4, but we know Jesus never did anything the Father did not command Him to do. We know Jesus said in John 5:19, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” Jesus must have prayed and asked the Father if this was in His perfect will, and as soon as the Father said “yes,” Jesus knew what to do. God desires that we be in His Word daily to hear His voice clearly so that we walk according to His perfect will for us (Romans 12:1–2). But, if we allow our time to be filled with other things and miss our fellowship with our Lord and His Word, then we will struggle to know His will each day.
Challenge & Application
• Why did Jesus address Mary as He did, and what was He conveying to her at that time?
• Why is it so important for us to be in God’s Word and fellowship with Him daily?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!