Jesus does not boast

 JESUS DOES NOT BOAST

 

The master of the banquet tasted the water [Jesus had] turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.

JOHN 2.9

 

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

MATTHEW 20.28

 

Based on JOHN 2

 

Jesus and His disciples had been invited to a wedding, likely that of a close friend or family member. In Jewish culture, wedding celebrations lasted for days and days, even up to a week, and while some guests came and went, others would stay the whole time.

Of paramount importance to a feast is, of course, the food and drink. In a culture that emphasised hospitality, inviting as many guests as possible brought honour to the bridal couple, but running out of food and drink would bring grave shame. However involved Mary was in the food preparations, she was quick to realise they had run out of wine and brings the matter to Jesus’ attention.

Much has been made of Jesus’ response to His mother, but what’s clear is that He’s establishing clear boundaries for His ministry. He takes orders from no one but His heavenly Father, and He will act only on His divine timetable. Yet, out of love, Jesus miraculously turns water into wine, saving the groom from public disgrace and humiliation, and also solidifying His disciples’ faith in Him. Symbolically, Jesus is ushering in a new era, but few had witnessed the miracle to recognise the importance of the event.

What’s fascinating in this narrative is that Jesus doesn’t seek public recognition for His first miracle. When the master of ceremony tastes the new wine, he calls the groom aside and remarks on how much better this wine tastes compared to what had first been served. But the text explicitly states that he “did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew” (Jn 2.9). We don’t even know if the groom knew where the wine came from. Because that wasn’t the point. Not yet. There would be many miraculous signs and wonders to come that would publicly reveal Jesus as the Son of God who has authority over all of creation, yet this first miracle was purposed to reveal His glory to a select few, and also to save His friend from the public embarrassment of running out of fare for his wedding guests.

If anyone had reason to boast, it was Jesus. If anyone would have been justified to make a grand entrance into public ministry with a grand miracle, it was Jesus.

Instead of manipulating people and events to orchestrate a grand entrance into public ministry, Jesus quietly provides for His friends’ needs. Jesus didn’t seek the spotlight; He didn’t chase recognition or applause. He stayed in the shadows, quietly serving and providing, thus setting the tone for His public ministry to come: He had come to serve others, and He would do so at the cost of His very life.

 

Prayer 

 

Precious Jesus, Your call to humble love is convicting. I confess my desire to be seen and known and recognised. I confess the times I’ve boasted in my own sacrificial love instead of hiding in Yours. Help me be quick to recognise the needs of those around me, and to serve them without fanfare or expectation of thanks. May Your love fill me to overflowing, and may I bring much joy to You and those You love through me. 

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

 

If you want to read more 

 

Mt 20.20–27, Lk 22.24–30, Jn 13.12–17, Phil 2.5–11