Thoughts on the Gospel of John (20) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Jesus said to her (his mother), Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the ser­vants, Whatever he says to you, do it. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
John 2:4-7

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (20)
There was a disaster at the wedding in Cana: the wine ran out. Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew who could help and turned to her son, who, however, did not attend to her concern straightaway. His reply may seem offensive; in fact, it is not so. Jesus also addressed His mother as "Woman" on the cross, when He lovingly arranged for her care after His death (ch. 19:26.27). Here He spoke primarily not as her son, but as the eternal Son of God. As such, He did not address her as "Mother".

Jesus wished to act independently of Mary. He showed thereby that all His deeds arose from His relationship to His heavenly Father, not from His natural relationship to His mother. This is a particular characteristic of John's gospel. When the "hour" of His suffering and death came, He would surrender to the will and dealings of man, but not before (ch. 7:30).

Mary probably did not understand why Jesus apparently ignored her. But she trusted Him and told the servants to obey Him in whatever He said.

From Mary's reaction we learn this: it is not necessary to understand everything in order to obey the Word of God. It is rather the opposite: whoever wishes to do, and actually does God's will, will understand why God ordered things as He did (cf. ch. 7:17).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 · Revelation 9:1-12