Women and Jesus: Faith-Filled Encounters in the GospelsSample

# Jesus’ Mother & His First Miracle #### by Angela Chiaberta ## Jesus’ Compassion Something that Jesus shows time and time again in the scriptures is His great capacity for compassion, often demonstrated through His miracles, And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them (Matthew 14:14). Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’ (Mark 1:41). There are many, many more examples, but how wonderful that we serve a Lord who cares for us deeply and is moved by compassion so that He wants to help us in our troubles. When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding of Cana, He showed that He has compassion in even the small troubles we encounter in life, for it was seen as an embarrassment for a groom to run out of wine at his wedding celebration. Jesus prevented embarrassment by His miraculous intervention. We, similarly, can invite Jesus into our day-to-day lives because He has shown us His desire to help and bless us with good things in every circumstance. ## Abundance Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’ (John 2: 10). Not only does Jesus answer our needs, He does it abundantly. Jesus turned six stone jars filled with water used for ceremonial cleansing into wine. We are told in the scripture that each jar held twenty or thirty gallons; that is at a minimum 120 gallons of wine that Jesus supplied to the guests at the wedding! We are also told by the master of the banquet that it was the best wine. The abundance in this miracle represents God’s heart for us and how He wants to bless us. The fact that the best was saved for last reinforces the great hope we have in the wedding that is to come when Jesus returns. No matter what joy we experience in this life, it does not compare to the joys that are to come in the next. ## Mary While it seems as though Jesus is initially resisting Mary’s appeal for His help, Mary is unperturbed by His answer and seems to have full confidence that Jesus will answer the need. There are three observations to make of Mary. First, she herself demonstrates a keen interest and compassion for the needs of others. Second, she had complete faith in Jesus’ ability and divinity. Third, she is not prescriptive in her request. She brings the problem to Jesus knowing that He will answer it as only He knows how. While Mary was turning to Jesus on behalf of others, it was an exercise in her own faith too. ## Reflective Question What problems do you see in others around you that you can bring to Jesus? ## Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and compassion. Please help me to see others and their problems. Increase my faith and remind me that you can help in every circumstance, no matter how big or small. Amen.