Marriage at Cana
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claims upon him and special rights. As Son of the Most High, and
Saviour of the world, no earthly ties must hold him from his divine
mission, nor influence the course he must pursue. It was needful that
he should stand free from every personal consideration, ready to do
the will of his Father in Heaven.
Jesus loved his mother tenderly; for thirty years he had been subject
to parental control; but the time had now come when he was to go
about his Father’s business. In rebuking his mother, Jesus also rebukes
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a large class who have an idolatrous love for their family, and allow the
ties of relationship to draw them from the service of God. Human love
is a sacred attribute; but should not be allowed to mar our religious
experience, or draw our hearts from God.
The future life of Christ was mapped out before him. His divine
power had been hidden, and he had waited in obscurity and humiliation
for thirty years, and was in no haste to act until the proper time should
arrive. But Mary, in the pride of her heart, longed to see him prove to
the company that he was really the honored of God. It seemed to her
a favorable opportunity to convince the people present of his divine
power, by working a miracle before their eyes, that would place him
in the position he should occupy before the Jews. But he answered
that his hour had not yet come. His time to be honored and glorified
as King was not yet come; it was his lot to be a Man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief.
The earthly relation of Christ to his mother was ended. He who
had been her submissive son was now her divine Lord. Her only hope,
in common with the rest of mankind, was to believe him to be the
Redeemer of the world, and yield him implicit obedience. The fearful
delusion of the Roman church exalts the mother of Christ equal with
the Son of the Infinite God; but he, the Saviour, places the matter in a
vastly different light, and in a pointed manner indicates that the tie of
relationship between them in no way raises her to his level, or insures
her future. Human sympathies must no longer affect the One whose
mission is to the world.
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The mother of Christ understood the character of her Son, and
bowed in submission to his will. She knew that he would comply
with her request if it was best to do so. Her manner evidenced her
perfect faith in his wisdom and power, and it was this faith to which
Jesus responded in the miracle that followed. Mary believed that