WOMAN

New Testament readings Matthew 3-4; Mark 1; Luke 3-4; John 1:19-4:54.

Student Choice Assignment

   Topic Choice 3: John 2. Water to Wine and Cleansing the Temple

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Review John 2:1–22, the institute student manual commentary for John 2:4, “What of Jesus’ Addressing His Mother as ‘Woman’?” (pg. 30), and commentary for John 2:6, “How Much Constitutes a ‘Firkin’?” (pg. 30).

Write responses to the following questions: 

What impresses you most about the miracle found in John 2:1–11?

How does the institute student manual help in understanding why Jesus Christ would refer to   His mother as “woman”?

In what ways are Jesus Christ’s actions in John 2:13–16 symbolic of what He desires of each of us? 

In John 2, Jesus and his disciples attended a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. This story catches my interest because of the respect shown by Jesus to his mother, and because of the profound symbolism it contains about being purified from sin by the miracle of the blood of Jesus Christ.

“And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. [Note here that her answer is in response to what they were asking for.]

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. [Approximately 9-10 gallons each.]

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”

The Jews lived the strict Mosaic Law. It required them to be “clean” for certain rituals (particularly weddings). When they held gatherings such as feasts, water was provided for guests that might need to wash and be “purified.”

1st century Stone water jars from Jerusalem area

Looking up ‘purification’ in the Bible Dictionary we learn, “There were various purifying ceremonies. Bathing the flesh and the clothes in running water was used in all and sufficed in the simplest cases. When the uncleanness was of a deeper character, a purifying water for sprinkling was provided.”

We know from the Old Testament story of Moses that when he led the Children of Israel out of Egypt [symbolizing being led from sin the prophet], that a lamb, symbolic of the saving blood of the Lamb of God, was slain by each family and its blood sprinkled on the door posts so that the destroying angel would pass by them and their home.

These practices were extremely meaningful to these people. When Jesus made the water (in the pots that usually provided water for such purification rituals) into wine – even the ‘best’ wine, the miracle was all the greater for the deeper symbolism that can be readily observed.   

In this story being called ‘woman’ is a compliment honoring the nature unique to women. It is closely associated with the respected title of mother. Prophets often pay tribute to the unique characteristics of women, particularly mothers. Elder John A. Widtsoe said: “Motherhood may be exercised as universally and vicariously as Priesthood” (Priesthood and Church Government, rev. ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1954, p. 85).

Historically, in some cultures, women have been treated as property or slaves. Husbands ‘owned’ wives, women had no voting rights, and could not own property. Some considered men to be superior to women. Prophets teach us this is not true. Men and women each have specific roles and inherent privileges.

Although I grew up in North America in the middle of the twentieth century, many attitudes about women being inferior remained. Career choices were limited, and many women fought for “liberation” to have all the perceived “privileges” of men under the banners of “Feminism” and “Women’s Lib.”

One of the insults flung at men during the 1960s and 1970s was to be named a “chauvinist pig,” meaning he did not respect women or recognize that they were not inferior. On the other hand one of the terms used to demean feminists was “woman.” Sadly, many women have since begun to perpetuate role reversals as they attempt to be superior to others, even other women. They foolishly have become what they despise.

Women hold an exclusive power unlike any other in magnitude. Mary, a young woman possessing the attributes and characteristics common to women of all time (such as being able to bear children), was also able to bear the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father.  I often marvel how I, as a woman, may be similar to Mary. I am privileged to be a woman.

"Woman" portrayed during the Crucifixion.

As Jesus died on the cross, he again addressed his mother using the term woman. In his October 1973, General Conference Address titled “Behold Thy Mother,” Thomas S. Monson describes that moment.

From his tortured position on the cruel cross, he sees his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by. He speaks: “… woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! …” (John 19:26–27).

Jesus honored his mother and provided for her needs, even during his own agony. His simple words echo through the ages pronouncing the honor it is to be a woman. 

In John 2:13-16 Jesus enters the temple during the yearly ritual Passover and drives out all those that disrespect others—especially those profaning that sacred place. During His life and ministry he repeatedly demonstrated that every son and daughter of our Father in Heaven is precious to the Father. He asks us to drive out all that may be contrary to the intrinsic worth of His children.