The "O" Word

When Mary whispers,

They ran out of wine,

into her son’s ears, it’s not because she is itching to share an embarrassing piece of gossip.

It’s not a finger-pointing prayer request that gloats over the dismal incompetence of their about-to-be-humiliated hosts.

Mary knows first-hand what it feels like to be a juicy morsel inside a mouth of a gossip.

Mary knows first-hand that sometimes even 'the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley'

But, with her Son around, she also learned that sometimes, the worst thing might be the best thing… The wrench in our plan might be an unfolding of a bigger plan... better plan... God's plan. And the most embarrassing piece of news might be the most glorious way of salvation and celebration.

Jesus hears her words.

He thinks of another wedding, of another wine that will be poured out for many.

He looks at her. He glances at His watch and says,

Not My time.

We will hear Jesus say this phrase on several different occasions. .

My time has not fully come.  Not My time. Not My time.

Until the clock ticks midnight, and His hour arrives.

But that’s for a different story. The story of God's timing and our timing.

In this one, even though the time is not right, Jesus seems to bend His own rules … 

I wonder why?

For His mother? For the sake of the other wedding of which this one is an earthly picture? 

For whatever reason, His mom knows He is going to do something remarkable because she tells them,

Whatever He tells you to do, do it.