Will you have water?…or Wine?

The scene in The Gospel of John chapter 2 has been swirling through my thoughts lately. So has the word: audacity.

audacity |ôˈdasədē|
noun
1 the willingness to take bold risks: her audacity came in handy during our most recent emergency.
2 rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence: she had the audacity to pick up the receiver and ask me to hang up. (The New Oxford American Dictionary)

When I hear the word I tend to think in terms of impudence or disrespect, but when we actually look at the definition we see that the word actually has a very positive meaning in that it is simply the willingness to take bold risks. This clears up some impressions I have had about Mary in this scene as it unfolds.

Jesus and Mary are at a wedding celebration and the wine has run out. A short, interesting discussion ensues between Jesus and His mother that requires some consideration to fully understand and paints a beautiful picture of the positive meaning of audacity. Mary says to Jesus, “They have no wine.” Jesus replies, by appearance rather tersely, “What does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” In my mind’s eye there was a look that passed from Mary to Jesus in the space between verses 4 and 5 that carried 30 years of willingness to take bold risks. This was nothing new to Mary who, being filled with the Holy Spirit, had risked everything to be His mother; then, she had held Him in her arms, dressed Him, bandaged His wounds, and raised Him with several brothers. Mary knew who He was and I believe that the look that passed between them in that moment carried the weight of all those years. What ever happened, the tone of the encounter changes between verses 4 and 5 when Mary takes another seemingly audacious action that propels Jesus into His time of ministry and brings about a miracle when she turns to the servants and says, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (Please take the time to review John Chapter 2 and let this beautiful account speak into your life.)

So, what is the level of audacity in your relationship with Jesus Christ? What is your position regarding the status quo? Satisfied? When your eyes look into the face of Jesus Christ are they alive, expectant, energized by the Holy Spirit, seeking the kingdom of heaven? Mary made a choice to step out of the box; we can make the same choice.