His Friends Must Also Die

John 2:1-4

This scene occurs in the beginning of Jesus ministry in Cana. Mary, the mother of Jesus comes near Him and says: –They have no more wine.

This is a simple phrase, but it says much more than just these words. Jesus knowing what it was all about, says very cuttingly: –Woman, why do you involve me? Mine time has not yet come.

Mary knows who her son really is, and what things he can do. What is more, she knows what things he is destined to do.

This is why she tells him of the present need. She believed that if Jesus is present, there should be need of nothing. The bridegroom should not have to suffer a lack of wine for his wedding. But Jesus says to his own mother: –Woman, why do you involve me?

Much has been said and written concerning these words; some in one way and some in another. What is the true significance of these words? We don't pretend to pontificate, but these words contain something really very simple. If the Lord performs a miracle here he will create a tremendous impact, the news of which will go out, and the people will come and see.

He is well aware what kind of revolution his words and miracles will cause in the near future. He knows to what extent the high priest, will in envy, begin to oppose him. He knows that because of this envy, they will put him to death. But, oh, his mother does not know.

His time has not yet come. Nevertheless, Mary wants to push him towards popularity, toward the capturing of people's hearts. Towards death. However, it is not yet his time.

Escaping the Crowds

It was not only on this occasion that Jesus had to avoid recognition, let us look at some others.

After healing the leper, he tells him: –See that you don't tell anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest. (Matt 8:4)

After healing the blind Jesus gave them a rigorous commission: –See that no one knows about this. (Matt 9:30)

When Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Lord forbids him from telling any man. (Matt 16:20) The same thing happened after he performed several miracles in Mark 5:43 and Mark 7:36. He also forbade the unclean spirit from identifying him in Mark 3:11-12.

Jesus loathed to be known because that recognition only carried him closer to death. "After this, it says in John chapter 7, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jew's there were waiting to take his life."

If the people lifted him up, and recognized him as Christ, the priests would become threatened (as they eventually did) and crucify him.(See also Mark 9:30-31.)

Jesus could not always avoid the crowds or always hide from the people. His miracles were too great to be ignored, or go unnoticed. Furthermore, his goal was to save, heal and set free, not to hide; much less just try to avoid death.

If he could do all of the above in secret -if it were possible, he would do it in secret. But was not always possible. Normally everyone would go out with the news proclaiming what Jesus had done.
Jesus was popular in spite of his efforts to avoid it.

We, on the other hand, make every effort to seek popularity, at all costs, no matter what.

To us popularity does not normally equate death, at least, not in the sense that it did to Jesus. However, it could take us to death in another sense.

It is possible that popularity may find us poorly prepared. (In reality it is difficult to prepare for popularity.) If it comes very rapidly, and our foundation is weak, we will fall flat.

A true popularity (that is merited), requires a solid backing of a life lived and of a character that is deeper than certain gifts or abilities.

To be popular and not fall all over one-self, requires much more than intelligence and wisdom.

To be popular and not fall flat; requires a lot from Christ.

If we strive to attain it, we could possibly succeed at something that we should not; and thereby become engrossed in something that is displeasing to God. Then we will have lost it all.

Therefore, every time you are tempted with popularity, let us say with a conscious alertness: –Woman, why do you involve me?

And let us be sure to add: –My time has not yet come.

It is not the hour to be recognized - but to die

This episode with Mary happened at the begging of Jesus' ministry in Cana of Galilee. But there is another incident of equal significance that happened toward the end of his earthy life. Just prior to going to the cross, some Greeks came looking for him. They found Phillip and said to him: –Sir, we would like to see Jesus.

Phillip told Andrew and they both came and told Jesus that the Greeks wanted to see him. That is when he gave them the most surprising answer that they could have imagined: –The hour has come, for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed: but if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:23-24

In other words, he was saying to them: –It is not the hour of recognition, but the hour of death. Of what importance was recognition at the hour of carrying the weight of the cross?

What importance does recognition have for one that is at death's door? The only thing that mattered to him at that moment was that he had to die; and that he had to do it right.

He added more to his response to Phillip and Andrew: –The man who loves his life will lose it: while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

We see that from the beginning of his ministry to the end of it, he kept to the same course. He always kept his back towards popular opinion; always running from the applause.

Jesus Lived to Die

After the mount of transfiguration the Lord Jesus told his disciples: –Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. (Matt 17:9)

Before the cross there was no place for recognition. There was only time to do the work the Father had given him to do. Before going to the cross, he looked toward the cross, and lived in the principle of the cross. After the resurrection there would be plenty of time for the rest.

Before the cross, he silenced those that said he was the Christ; after the resurrection, on the other hand, he himself showed his disciples who he was. Luke 24:26-27

Popularity Today

Today popularity is sought after with great fanfare, and even with cynicism. This happens all around us throughout the world -which should not surprise us; however it also happens in Christian circles -which should surprise us.

Many Christian are also looking, just like the world, to promote themselves; to let themselves be known. For they believe, just like the world, that they need organizations, marketing strategies, just like the world.

Many Christians today are just like little statues that are on very tall pedestals. The higher the pedestal, the more consumed they are with their own figure. Or like a painting, that looks good from a distance but the closer you get the worse it looks.

From far away they look to be surrounded by halos from all the light shinning upon them, with all it's associated circus paraphernalia. Up close, they look just like the men that they are, very human. They become part of a deception, thereby causing some to stumble.

There are also Christians that use their gifts to attain fame, not to edify the church. There are some that use others to get ahead, instead of blessing the church. There are Christians that sing only to make themselves a name, not to proclaim Christ. There are Christians that write books only to meet editorial demands, not to advance the work of God.

To be known today, in this era of great communications, is relatively easy. To be known for our successes or our failures. To be know for the good or the bad. But, to be one who is willing to die, when they want to lift you up, is much more difficult.

Therefore, let us resolve to say without ambiguity, to either lady popularity, or lady vanity, or our own mother: –Woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.

And we could add: –I will only be known by my death and because of it.