Born Again - John 2-4

The miracle at the wedding feast:

This is an interesting situation Jesus has just begun calling disciples to follow him. These men as well as himself are invited to a feast that his mother Mary has some responsibility for.  Then suddenly it was determined that there was an issue, that there was not sufficient wine for the wedding.  

Points of Note many people may not know:

• Wine is a customary drink at a wedding feast
• Marriages consisted of two ceremonies - each of which could be celebrated with a feast/meal.  However the wedding always had a feast.
  • Betrothal - legally married yet remaining in her father's house
    • Father pays for the bride and establishes the contract
    • Groom prepares room for his bride and himself - bridal chamber  
  • Wedding - betrothed woman - with procession brought from father's house to house of her groom
    • Before the groom comes the bride is ceremonially cleansed
    • The bride did not know the time at which the groom would come to get her
    • There is a traditional shout which for warned the bride to be prepared for the groom 
      • The grooms men and the groom would go and get the bride from her father's house
      • The bride would be beautifully dressed and there would be a procession formed under direction of the bridegroom's friends
      • Often the bride would be carried in a litter along with the procession
    • There is a private wedding ceremony - for invited guests only
    • There is a marriage feast
    • Wedding celebration typically lasted over a period of 5-7 days usually in the fall.
• Marriages were considered to be an agreement between two families - not really between individuals
  • The parents chose and selected the bride/groom
  • There was a payment of Mohar from the father of the groom to the father of the bride
    • this was customarily given to the daughter as a gift as she left the family
    • this was not always the case...
  • Once the Betrothal agreement was complete - Mohar was paid - the bride "belonged" to the groom
    • The wedding was the completion of this arrangement
• Marriages took place at a very young age according to our standards
  • Most Rabbis proposed at age 18 or slightly younger
  • Most young women were of the age 13 or 14 - physically ready for marriage
• There was no "Honeymoon" but rather the bride and groom would celebrate with their families

There are two options concerning the Wedding:

#1 Mary Jesus's Mother was responsible for the wedding - i.e. it was one of her sons being married

If Mary Jesus's Mother was responsible for the wedding feast - then according to tradition that would mean that one of Joseph's son was getting married for the wedding feast was held at the groom's residence.
Some have suggested that this was Jesus's wedding, with Jesus and his disciples arriving after his mother and brothers were already there.

However, Jesus would have bee around 30 years old... which is much older than the standard age of 18 or so to be being married.  I think it is much more likely that one of his brothers was getting married and Jesus and his brother escorted her there with his disciples - the grooms men, and then is at this point approached by Mary with the concern for the wine.  This could have in fact been James, or Joses, or Juda or Simon - the brother of Jesus's marriage... Mary could also have just been present and wanting to help... who really knows. (Mark 6:3)

#2 Mary was not responsible for the wedding at all - i.e. she was just a guest invited to attend

Perhaps though Mary Jesus's Mother was not actually responsible for the wedding feast - which makes more sense if you think about it because of the way Jesus Responded to her request for wine.  i.e. They are running out of wine - and that is our problem in what way?  i.e. we have no responsibility for the wine.  If Mary were the host she and their family would have had responsibility for the wine.

The truth of the matter is we just don't know which of the options are correct - lacking information on this point.

Jesus's Response

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Why would Jesus say this in this way?

• Why didn't he use the customary term "Mother" instead of "Woman" - he did not do so lightly but with purpose
  John 4:21 - same term used in connection with the Samaritan woman
  John 8:10 - same term used in connection with the woman taken in adultery
  John 19:26 - same term is used from the cross - Woman - behold thy son!
  
  At the time this term was used when addressing a woman in a neutral way, i.e. without familiarity.  It was not a term of dis-respect but rather one of unfamiliarity.  Many languages have different terms of familiarity such as, Father, Dad, Papa, Man, each with it's own customary feeling of familiarity.  Why then would Jesus use a non familiar word in this instance?
  
  
• Perhaps he was helping his mother understand that this is not the time or place for familiarity and that he would always do the will of his Heavenly Father - not the will of man, nor indeed his mother's. You will note that Mary did not believe that this response was a sign of refusal for her next comments were - whatever he tells you to do, do it!
  
  
• Perhaps he was helping his mother understand that he was no longer a child under her - but was rather starting his ministry and would do, not her nor Joseph's will but, the will of his Father who had sent him
  Sometimes it is difficult for parents to let their children go.  Often times parents cling to their children and attempt to control, manipulate, and even live their lives through them.  Jesus may be explaining to his Mother - that she needs to let go.
  
  
• Perhaps Mary was thinking that now is the time son - proclaim yourself the Messiah, demonstrate your power and show to the world who you are.  Jesus in his manner did not do these things - but rather meekly and with discretion helped his mother yet did not proclaim himself for his time had not come!
  
  
• Perhaps he was re-affirming things he had taught her before, and that she knew full well - that he was not just her son, but also the Messiah - the redeemer of all mankind thus he used the non familiar term when she asked him to act in that regard.  Remember the time when he went to the temple and they came seeking him.  He was not just her son - he was doing the will of the Father, and would do so as the Messiah - and not under her direction as a mother. Luke 2:49-51

We don't really know but these are some interesting things to ponder. - for there are many times that the scriptures say that Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19, 51

Miracle

What is a miracle? 
Dictionary: a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.
In the past many things that have been called "miracles" can and have been explained by science, and natural law now, at which point we don't consider them "miraculous" at all.

In other words - if we can explain it via science or nature - it isn't considered a miracle. Thus, miracles are a lack of knowledge and or ignorance in the part of the viewer concerning how the event occurred.

In my opinion a miracle is when God exercising natural laws unknown to us at present performs an event for the benefit of the individual.  God does not break natural law, he is a God of law and order.  So when performing a miracle he uses additional laws, and knowledge to perform the action/event required in a manner that people don't understand and thus ascribe as not explicable event i.e. a "miracle".

God is a God of Miracles - he does things we do not understand or comprehend throughout the history of the world.  He continues to do so and will continue to do so until his work and his glory is complete.
Mormon 9:19-21
Why does he cease to do miracles among the children of men? it is because of unbelief - and sin, and lack of knowledge.
In other words GOD will work in our lives, he will do things that we can't currently understand how but are for our benefit. (miracles)
If we but ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, believing that it will come to pass, asking for that which is right - we will receive what we ask for if it his desire that we do so.  For we will not ask amiss.. and will be guided in what we should ask for.

Turning Water into Wine

Lets get a few things straight from the start.
Was they wine they were drinking alcoholic?  YES
Did the water actually change physically and become wine? YES
Does the wine being better mean that it was more alcoholic - and thus better to drink? YES
So we are saying that Jesus created a strongly alcoholic beverage for individuals to drink at a wedding? YES we are - for that was the tradition at the time and they were not breaking any law/commandment in drinking it! Duh...

What can we learn from this miracle?

• The lord can directly interact with our situation and our lives
  When doing so he must be very careful, for he cannot and will not destroy the agency of man.  He will not force, coerce or cajole an individual to do what is right.  Nor will he use his power and knowledge to make it so there is no real choice left - but rather the individual must choose God's choice for them.  For this was Satan's plan - Give me thy Honor/Power and everyone will choose the right every time - thus destroying the agency of men.  It truly takes a GOD and his knowledge to be able to do this and not destroy his own plan!!!
  So the Lord - based upon direct permission from us (thus the asking) can and will interact in our lives for our benefit if it be his will, and it be for our benefit and we ask not amiss.
• If the Lord can change water into wine - can he, with my permission, also change me? YES
  Consider the next story of Nicodemus - and the women at the well - how he can help individuals change and become like him!
  The Lord has requested us to be converted unto the lord - this is a fundamental and permanent change of our nature
  Elder Bednar October 2012 - Converted unto the Lord
  "The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through the Savior’s Atonement. True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God....
  For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience.
  …
  Testimony alone is not and will not be enough to protect us in the latter-day storm of darkness and evil in which we are living. Testimony is important and necessary but not sufficient to provide the spiritual strength and protection we need. Some members of the Church with testimonies have wavered and fallen away. Their spiritual knowledge and commitment did not measure up to the challenges they faced.”