Unknowing knowing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When all the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine’ (John 2:3).
Read John 2:1-12
What did Jesus’ mother know? What didn’t she know? Perhaps she had faith in her unknowing. I imagine the maternal connection with her human/divine son gave her at least an inkling of what might be possible.
Do you have to know? Do you have to be certain? Or can you live with the unknowing of life; can you accept the doubts that are part of your faith?
US theologian and author Brian McLaren once wrote: ‘Sometimes, certainty is just an excuse to stop thinking’. I doubt Mary thought too much about what she was saying to Jesus. I doubt the disciples we’ve mentioned over the previous two days thought too much about what they were doing by following Jesus. Their unknowing gave them the courage to step out in faith.
I doubt that most people who follow Jesus know with certainty what their life will involve. A fair bit of unknowing. A fair bit of uncertainty. And yet, it is probably the unknowing knowing that allows each one of us to respond to that small quiet voice, to that whisper of grace, to the ‘yes’ of forgiveness.
When Jesus responds to his mother with the words: ‘My time has not yet come’ (verse 4); she simply says to the servants: ‘Do whatever he tells you to do’ (verse 5). I don’t think she knew what he would do; but she was willing to trust the unknowing; she was willing to go with the uncertainty of Jesus’ actions.
And that led to generosity on Jesus’ part; that led to sharing in good times; that led, I am sure, to a growing sense of certainty in all who experienced this miracle. Sometimes, unknowing can lead to knowing!
Lord Jesus, let your whisper of grace infiltrate all our unknowing, so we can live with hope and confidence. Amen
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! He also tries to fit in a bike ride each day. To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
