Mary does not ask for anything, but informs Jesus that they have no more wine. In so doing, she actually takes charge even though she is not the bride. She is a guest.
Jesus tells his Mother, “Woman my hour has not yet come.” It seems a very strange response to her statement.
· Does Mary expect Jesus to provide wine?
· Does Mary expect him to intervene?
· Does Mary understand his ministry is not just to provide wine for the wedding feast but to become the Bridegroom of a New Wedding Banquet called the Lamb’s Supper or Passover?
Yes, she does!
If we understand Hour not as a period of time, but as the event that is taking place in which time will be transformed, then we understand Jesus’ response.
In John, the word Hour is used several times, but the last time it is used by Jesus reveals the significance of the Hour:
“Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (Jn 17:1)
The Hour refers to the fulfillment of the covenant that was promised:
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days—oracle of the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jer 31:33)
What is assumed is greater than what is stated. Mary understands Jesus has a mission that is to bring about a New Covenant and Jesus will provide not only the wine, the sign of the covenant, but He will institute a New Covenant, completing the Old Covenant.
The Old Covenant, the Jewish Passover celebrated with wine, bread and the sacrifice of a year old male lamb. Jesus takes the wine and tells them this wine is the New Covenant of my blood shed for you just as was the lamb’s blood was shed. The bread is my body, the New Manna from heaven. Finally, I am the Lamb of sacrifice offering my life for yours so that you will have eternal life within.