What Have I to do With You?

My grandmother was quite a character. Sometimes I think she was made of pure grit! When my grandfather was away in World War 2, she purchased a house on her own and moved the family there. This was the house my mother grew up in, and it’s still in our family today. Perhaps women buying houses is not such a big deal by today’s standards but when you consider this was the early 1940’s and the role of women had not yet shifted to such levels of independence, it was audacious! My grandmother was a bold woman of faith!

Granny, as we called her, was also a bonified “Rosie the Riveter”, taking on a job building the B-24 “Liberator” bombers at the old General Dynamics plant in Fort Worth, Texas. I have many fond memories of her, including the way she had a quippy expression for just about anything – such as “gourde head” for “go ahead” – the kind of thing you might miss if you weren’t paying close attention.

Speaking of bold women, as I continue chewing the cud in the book of John, I am now in chapter 2 and reading the story of the wedding in Cana. You might be familiar with it. It’s the one where Jesus turns water into fine wine. Growing up Baptist I was always a bit perplexed by verse 4 (as stated in the King James version):

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”

Wow, doesn’t that sound a bit curt, even rude? Almost like he’s telling her she should know her place. This translation doesn’t paint Jesus in the warmest of lights, I have to admit! So as I was reading this morning I decided to look at this verse through the lens of a Greek lexicon. I was pleasantly surprised when I considered that a more accurate translation is likely “what does that have to do with us?”

Without missing a beat, this bold woman of faith turned to the servants and told them to do everything Jesus commanded. When I would look at this little act in the light of the King James interpretation, it always came across as defiant. But as I was reading and seeing this verse in a new perspective, my imagination could not help but run wild with the following…

“Son, look, they’re out of wine. They’ve been serving the dregs for a while now.”

“MOM! What does that have to do with us? Performing little miracles between us is one thing but what you’re asking takes it beyond just us, and my time hasn’t quite yet come.”

There was a brief glance between them that melted his heart. Of course he is going to accommodate his mother! And she knew by his look that it was something the Father would allow. He was going to do it just for her!

Be still my heart! How much more it means that I can now approach Jesus in this same intimate manner! Because I have been born again by the Spirit of God and am now a family member, I don’t need to approach God as Judge, I can approach him as a daughter. Perhaps you too.