In the story in this week’s lectionary gospel (John 2:1-11), Jesus tells his mother he cannot help the wedding host who has run out of wine because his “hour has not come.” It seems he knew something. He knew that as soon as he did a public wonder, it would start in motion the end of his life. And sure enough, it did. When he started going around Galilee and Judea doing miracles, at first he told people to keep it a secret. He might heal someone, then tell them not to tell anyone.
And sure enough, when he started doing miracles before crowds, it was only months before the authorities took notice, were threatened by him, and took his life. Therefore, for his first three decades, as he was preparing for his ministry, Jesus seemingly did no miracles. Apparently, he had to wait for his time to be revealed—and for the challenge of who he was to be revealed. He knew that when he started doing things like making wine from water, and healing people, and feeding thousands in a miraculous feeding, he would be killed—because he was a threat to those in power—not only because of his power, but because of how he embraced everyone, even those from outsider groups.
Yet while Jesus knew this and therefore waited many years to perform the signs and wonders that were recorded in the gospels, his followers didn’t know why he was waiting. Jesus’ first miracle in the gospels happened on the day he called his first disciples, Peter and Andrew. The story says he filled their boats with a massive catch of fish after they had waited all night without catching a single one. According to the story, they were amazed at Jesus’ miracle! They were enthusiastic and wanted a connection with this man who did extraordinary things! But he told them to tell no one.
As Faith Builds, So Does Love; and Visa Versa
If they had known on that day that Jesus would be crucified within a couple of years and they would be hiding in fear, do you think Jesus’ disciples would have followed him? Do you think they would have understood who he was? I tend to think they likely would not have followed him if they knew how costly it would be. Therefore, Jesus let them come along without telling them exactly what was going to happen, without, apparently, telling them much at all. Instead, Jesus focused on teaching them and on forming strong bonds with them. By the time extreme difficulty came, they were slowly being transformed into different kinds of people. They were changing perspective; becoming people who loved him. And they saw themselves differently because of how Jesus loved them. By the time they encountered Jesus in a resurrected state, they were ready for what it meant to be a disciple.
I think if we try, we can relate to this. At the beginning of our relationship with Jesus (or another influential teacher, if your tradition is not Christianity), we want many things—comfort, reassurance, provision, healing, forgiveness. And all of these are good and worthy. But naturally, we don’t want to suffer. If, at the beginning, we knew all of the challenges we were going to face as disciples, we might feel differently about following. But as we become open to the work of transformation, as we are slowly formed and transformed, our faith is built up, and we fall in love. After we have been transformed by our faith, we are ready for whatever will come next, we are ready for our faith to be tested. For Christians, once we love Jesus and experience God’s love through him—then we live fully in the courage of a disciple. So have ‘strength and courage,’ as Episcopalians pray each week at the end of our liturgy. Our faith really can carry us through anything.
If you liked this article please leave me a comment below, I am interested in your perspective.
Wren, winner of a 2022 Independent Publishers Award Bronze Medal
Winner of the 2022 Independent Publisher Awards Bronze Medal for Regional Fiction; Finalist for the 2022 National Indie Excellence Awards. (2021) Paperback publication of Wren , a novel. “Insightful novel tackles questions of parenthood, marriage, and friendship with finesse and empathy … with striking descriptions of Oregon topography.” —Kirkus Reviews (2018) Audiobook publication of Wren.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In