Key Text: John 2: 1 – 12; Matthew 12: 46 – 50; Luke 14: 26
Additional Texts: John 19: 26 – 27; Exodus 29: 1 – 26; Isaiah 45: 5; Exodus 20: 3 – 5; Isaiah 44: 6
In part one of this series, the rationale for it was shared; Jesus’ life on earth (in words and actions), is a guide to how we, (especially His followers), should approach life and specific circumstances, including opposition. Though God is a gentle and compassionate Father who often speaks in a still, small voice, Jesus also demonstrated a less restrained, more blunt version of our powerful Father (they are both in the Trinity) in some Scriptures. The first one we explored was in Matthew 23 (‘Fools and Blinds’), and this entry, based mainly on a conversation with His earthy mother (Mary), provides teaching about priorities.
I’m highly loyal to my mother. In Blots, Flaws and Revelations, I shared a few details about my family, the most dominant of which was our trauma on the loss of my father. My parents had only been married for seven years when he passed, leaving the responsibility of raising us on my mother. She faithfully accepted the challenge, guided us through long years of financial struggles and did her best to raise us to fear God and be ambitious, and I unreservedly credit her (as used by God of course – He ultimately gets glory), for anything I have achieved. Many in the Jamaican society where I was raised, and indeed around the world, equally treasure their parents, especially their mothers. A part of the respect for mothers is naturally tied to how we address them. I could not dream of addressing my mother with a curt ‘Woman!’ as Jesus did in one of His blunt conversations – that would be very rude! I ultimately want to be like Jesus and will with His help grow, but admittedly, (though I don’t advocate for disobedience), approach this example with some caution! Yet, on closer examination, I understand why He addressed Mary with such frankness.
When Jesus spoke to Mary in this curt tone, they had been at the wedding in Cana and the wine had been depleted. The family was at the risk of embarrassment as it was disgraceful to invite guests and not have the resources to entertain them. Mary, knowing her Son’s character but lacking an understanding of how and when His deity would be manifested, confidently told Him they had no wine; though this was His first miracle, having believed the prophecies about His identity, she was aware of His power, including His ability to change situations. Jesus replied with a curt: ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ He also told her brazenly that it was not time to manifest His glory. Mary continued to tell the servant to do whatever Jesus told them, as if she knew He would compassionately perform a miracle in His
time to help the couple. Indeed, Jesus turned the water to wine and this supported the disciples’ faith. Subsequently, He travelled with Mary and His family to Capernaum and remained there for a few days, indicating that this candid conversation had not caused a rift between them.
Jesus did not speak to Mary in this way to be rude or condescending, but perhaps to reinforce one of His key messages (to His followers especially): the Kingdom should be prioritised in all situations. God’s will and direction must be our ultimate guide. He spoke to Mary and addressed her as ‘Woman’ at the cross when He compassionately said ‘Woman, behold your Son,’ as He felt the pain and watched her grieving. He also spoke compassionately to other women/females in other Scriptures, indicating His willingness to treat them with respect. He was not initially dismissive because of Mary’s gender. In Matthew 12: 46 – 50, Jesus responded with other candid words: ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’. Here, He was teaching the crowds and someone indicated that His immediate family wanted His attention. He did not disrespect or devalue them, but made an essential point that their need to speak to Him at that point while He was ministering was secondary; He came to attend to His Father’s business (Luke 2: 49 – more blunt words, and at the age of 12!). Jesus loved His family, but also valued those He taught, referring to them as His family too (brother/sister/mother) if they obeyed His Father. In another text (Matthew 10: 34 – 39) Jesus frankly told the disciples (after He had advised them about ministry), that His arrival on earth had been misconstrued; He had not come to bring peace, but His presence, life and teaching would cause divisions, even within families. He also bluntly told them that in the event of such divisions, priorities must be clear: whoever loves anything or anyone more than Him will not please Him. Ouch! Although family, careers, homes and other possessions or other relationships we have been loaned by God (it all belongs to Him) are important, nothing should be more important than Him if we engage in a relationship with Him.
Yet again, Jesus brazenly reinforces our responsibility to bear the ‘cross’ associated with following Him by ‘hating’ families and our own lives (symbolic of anything we hold dear) in Luke 14: 26. Why did He make this point repeatedly? None of these are horrific – it is good to have family and life on this side of eternity! Jesus wants us to know that whether it’s our parents, spouses, cousins, friends, siblings, goals or achievements, nothing should cause us to minimise God.
Jesus’ bluntness in these texts affirms God’s desire to be foremost in our lives, regardless of circumstances, challenges or achievements. He wants us to succeed and cares about our wellbeing (1 John 5: 14 – 15), but does not want to be an afterthought, or a last resort who we seek in times of trouble then hastily ditch when it’s inconvenient. Woman! Ouch! He’s not disrespecting mothers or women; He’s emphasising that though mothers/parents and others are important, He must be first!
Perhaps your priorities have been out of order, or you’ve never really bothered about prioritising God. I’ve been on both ends of that spectrum and don’t claim to be perfect at all. Perhaps you want to serve God but struggle to prioritise time with Him. Perhaps the people and achievements or even problems and concerns in your life have slowly become idols – all your time is devoted to thinking about and serving them. God doesn’t condemn you or want you to lose them – He invites anyone who willingly comes to Him to spend time with Him and learn His ways. He can help you to get your priorities in order. When you next struggle, remember that one word from the key text: ‘Woman!’ Ouch! It’s a seemingly harsh word, but a caution about the seriousness of walking with God.
As always, if you’re struggling to talk to God, I pray that you’ll manage to talk to Him about your priorities today – for a few seconds, a minute or five. He hears.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your candidness. I need it! I admit that my priorities are not always in the appropriate order, and need Your help to do all I need to do daily, and still put You first. It is easy to be distracted from You, but with Your help, I know I can grow. Please help me in areas where I struggle. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’ name. Amen.
