Eye liner applicator

This week I was handed a small instrument used to apply some sort of eye make up. I had no idea what this item was or how it was used, so I had to ask my wife. She explained to me how you use it and what it does. The item I had was a small brush used to apply make up to the eyelid. My wife told me it's used to draw attention to the eyes.

As I looked at this thing and had my wife's words in mind, I began to think about the current study we're doing on the Gospel of John. Jesus came to earth to show people what God is like, He came to draw people's attention to God. His purpose was to point people to God.

Jesus says in John 2.4b, “My hour has not yet come.” He is asked to do something about a shortage of wine. His mother tells Him the situation, and He very respectfully and politely tells her that He will handle the problem, but that He will do it in His own way. (Courtesy of William Barclay's insights into the historical and cultural context of the day.)

Jesus then performs His first miracle, secretly. We only know of a handful of people who are aware of the issue or the miracle. Based on the information we have in the text we see that the servants knew, the disciples knew, and Mary knew. But other than that, I think the other guests had no idea at all. And as far as we can determine from the text, they don't find out. John 2.12, "After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days."

Jesus performs this fist miracle, and then leaves. He doesn't proclaim what He has done, because He doesn't want to draw any attention away from the Father to Himself. He won't take anything away from His mission. Before He did anything He said, "My hour has not yet come." He knows He is here for a specific purpose, and He is determined to accomplish that mission and will not allow anything to get in the way.

Jesus draws people's attention to God. In the same way that eye makeup is meant to draw attention to the eyes, Jesus draws attention to God the Father. That is His mission, and it is a mission He has passed on to all of us.

Peace be with you