When Jesus speaks, how do you think He looks at you?

“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no more wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.'” -John 2:3-5

I’ve always been struck by how in this story, even though Jesus’ response to His mother seems pretty clear (“What does this have to do with me?  My hour has not yet come.”), she doesn’t seem to get it.  In fact, her response to what seems to be a brush-off is instead one of confident expectation that Jesus is about to act.

Why is this?

On the surface it makes no sense, but digging a little deeper reveals the answer.  Remember that this is not just any woman who is approaching Jesus with a need.  It’s His mother.  At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, John records how Jesus took special care to make sure she would be protected and provided for in His absence.  That’s how much He loved her, and it’s a telling clue that His core attitude toward her is favor.

I have to believe, then, that Mary responds with confident expectation that Jesus will act because even as His words seem to say “No,” His eyes must have said “Yes.”  It’s as if Mary knows Jesus is going to act, because she knows that He loves her deeply and favors her greatly.

I imagine that in that interchange Mary was able to move forward in faith because even as He spoke to her, Jesus was smiling at her and that made all the difference.

As you think about that, remember this: If you are a child of God through faith in Christ, He’s smiling at you, too.