A Mother's Wisdom

May 10, 2015

A Mother’s Wisdom

John 2:1-5

(Advance Slide #1)

Introduction

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had 4 sons and they were all preachers.

• Someone once came into the drawing room when all the family was there.
• They thought they would see what Howard, one of the sons, was made of so they asked him this question.
• "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your family?"
• Howard had a great admiration for his father and he looked straight across at him and then without a moments hesitation he answered, "Mother."

Today is mother’s day and if you are a mother I want you to know that you are honored and appreciated today.  

• I want us to studying an encounter that Mary had with Jesus in the gospel of John.

(Advance Slide #2)

Text

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  John 2:1-5

(Advance Slide #3)

Do mothers know their children’s potential?

• In this text we find that Mary wisdom of her son help defuse what could have been a pretty big social and financial disaster.  
• Let’s set the scene.

We find in vs. 1 that on this event took place on the third day of a wedding.  

• At this time wedding feasts or celebrations usually lasted an entire week.  
• Also, it was customary for the groom to be responsible for funding this week-long celebration.

(Advance Slide #4)

We also see in this verse who was present at this wedding.  

• Mary the mother of Jesus...the bride or groom was likely a relative.  
• Because of the concern that is shown in a few verses it seems like Mary might have been assisting in the preparation and serving of the meal.  
• In vs. 2 we find that not only was Jesus “invited” but the disciples were too.

In this first miracle Mary showed three signs of a wise mother:

(Advance Slide #5)

1. She knew the power of divine potential.

• Mary knew what Jesus could do!
• “Listen to Him!”

(Advance Slide #6)

2. She knew the power of positive affirmation.

• “They have no wine.”
• Confirming that He should do something.

(Advance Slide #7)

3. She knew the power of release.

• She didn’t tell Him what to do...we left it in His hand.

Lesson

(Advance Slide #8)

There are only a few verses in this lesson...I like to keep things simple.  

• Despite that I think each of us can learn a few lessons from the wisdom of Mary.  
• So on a special day when honor mothers let us each be open to these lessons that we learn from a mother who honored her son.

(Advance Slide #9)

Be Attentive  

Mary was attentive to the needs there at the wedding feast.  

• I have know doubt that Mary was like this thorough her whole life.  
• In fact, this character trait likely influenced Jesus in his ministry.

Jesus was attentive to the needs of those around him.  

• When he became aware of a need Jesus sought to help any way he could.  
• This is something that we too can do.

Are we attentive to the needs of others?  

• Mothers are, aren’t they?  
• Always concerned about the care of other.

(Advance Slide #10)

We need to be attentive to the needs of others.  

• I’m not saying that we need to be a “busy body” or nosy.  
• It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that someone is having trouble.

(Advance Slide #11)

• This lesson goes right along with Jesus’ teaching on how we are to treat others.

• Consider the “Good Samaritan”:
• He was attentive to the need.  
• He was able to put aside social stigma and other concerns to help the one in need.  
• This also goes hand in hand with the “golden rule’s” teaching.  

(Advance Slide #12)

Know Jesus Personally

She was aware of his strengths and weaknesses.  

• This became an asset to her at the wedding feast.  
• Do we know Jesus personally?  
• Godly, mothers share this with their children (father’s should too).  

(Advance Slide #13)

You might say that is not a fair question.

• Or even that it is impossible for us to know him personally.  
• After all Will, he lived some 2000 years ago.  
• How could we possibly know HIm?

We study his words...we too learn his strengths and how our lives can benefit by living a life where we profess Jesus and live a life for him.  

• We can’t do this unless we know him.  
• This means that we MUST invest time into getting to know him.

(Advance Slide #14)

Go to Jesus for Everything

When there was a problem here in Cana Mary went to Jesus for help.  

• How often do we turn to him when we need help?

It seems many times that we turn to everyone but him.  

• So what is the benefit of turning to Jesus?  
• For Mary in this instance we know that Jesus turned water to wine and saved the groom from certain embarrassment.  

(Advance Slide #15)

Turning to Jesus we can save ourselves from certain spiritual death.  

• Sometimes we need only a mother.  
• When were sick or when we are hurting we just want mom.  
• Why is that?  She was the only one who could comfort.  
• Jesus has the same affect on our spiritual life.

Conclusion

We love our mothers.  

• Jesus loved his mother and honored her.  

(Advance Slide #16)

• So today we follow the example set in Proverbs 31, we “rise up and call you blessed.”  
• As husband we “praise our wives.”

We remember and honor mothers today.  

• We have hopefully all learned some examples from this godly woman and her encounter with Christ (her son).  
• While mothers appreciate such honor I know my mother would be more concerned that I honor the Lord.  
• So it is he too that we praise.