Whatever

Jesus’ first public miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-12).  He was at a wedding in Cana and his mother came to him because the wine had run out.  I love how she expected a miracle from her son – and such a highly practical, seemingly non-spiritual one.  It’s not like driving out demons, healing the sick, or feeding the multitudes.  We’re talking wine here…

I’ve read that wine in the Bible often symbolizes joy, so when Mary said there was no wine she might also have been implying that the guests lacked joy - the permanent, eternal joy that only comes with being saved.  She may have wanted Jesus to reveal himself as Messiah that evening.  Or, she could have just wanted more wine…

As Son of God, Jesus knew it wasn’t yet time for public miracles, but as son of Mary, he wanted to please her and help out.  So Mary turned to the servants and said “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:4)  And Jesus turned 6 jars of water, 20-30 gallons each, into the best wine.

Do whatever he tells you.  As I read this, I felt like the Lord was talking directly to me.  So often we pick and choose which parts of God’s Word to obey, or we don’t read it at all, content with listening to Sunday morning nuggets and then following what we’re comfortable with and have time for.  Mary was right to instruct total obedience, and obedience only to Christ.

Do whatever he tells you. 

Do I do whatever he says?  Key word being “whatever”.  All of it.  Without compromise.  Without excuses. 

And according to his timing?  Because Jesus had told Mary it wasn’t yet time for his public ministry.  Often times we try to speed things up by “helping God out.”  Part of obeying God is having patience with his timing, not striving on our own outside of his will.  I feel like Mary conceded to this and surrendered to Jesus’ will – whether it meant a miracle then and there, or sending the servants out to the corner party store.  It was up to Jesus.

Jesus chose the miracle route (John 2:11) and people believed in him.  Something that wouldn’t have happened if

a) Mary had handled things on her own rather than going to Jesus,

b) Mary hadn’t surrendered to his timing and plans, and

c) the servants hadn’t done whatever he said.

When we do whatever Jesus says, miracles happen and lives are changed.