“His [Jesus'] mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”” (John 2:5, ESV)
The scripture above occurred at a wedding reception in Cana. Jesus, His disciples, and His mother happened to be at that wedding reception. While attending, Mary found out that the wine intended for that special occasion had run out. Knowing that Jesus could perform miracles, Mary informed Jesus about this embarrassing turn of events. Then, she simply told the servants at the wedding reception “Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you.” Mary didn’t know how Jesus would fix the problem, but she knew Jesus could fix things. Jesus told the servants to fill some jars with water. Then, he turned the water into sweet, wonderful wine. The wedding celebration continued because of this miracle.
When reading about Jesus’ turning water to wine at the wedding reception at Cana, most people focus on that miracle. Some ask, “How did Jesus turn water into wine?” Others point out the power of Jesus to change substances by faith alone. Still others focus their attention on why Jesus performed that miracle. Scholars are quick to point out that this miracle of water into wine is not found in any other gospel. Today, I want you to notice something completely different in this scripture. Don’t focus on who was at the wedding or on the miracle performed by Jesus. Instead, pay attention to what Mary said to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”(John 2:5). This simple sentence displays Mary’s belief that Jesus could perform the impossible, Jesus could fix problems, Jesus would come through for those who love Him.
Fundamentally, Mary’s statement is one of complete faith that Jesus would make things right. Her words show no doubt. Mary is convinced that Jesus was one to rely on. Mary did not hesitate. She did not tell Jesus what to do. She did not ask if Jesus could help. Mary simply informed the servants to follow Jesus’ directions completely, so that everything would be made right for the reception.
Contrast Mary’s statement with what most people do when things are going wrong. Instead of “doing whatever Jesus tells you”, many people pray for God to fix things their way. They tell God what is wrong and how to make it right. Or, they don’t even ask God for help. Or, they doubt Jesus will follow through. Or, they lack faith in God’s providence. Mary did none of these things. Mary simply left it up to Jesus to make it right and informed those involved to just “do whatever Jesus tells you.”
How good are you at “doing what Jesus tells you”? When you need God’s help, do you follow God’s will? When you don’t know where to turn, do you listen for Jesus’ direction? I am not surprised when non-Christians fail to follow God’s command. What does surprise me is that Christians often lack the faith of Mary. They are not willing to just do whatever Jesus tells them, especially when following Jesus will take patience, effort, and a willingness to trust Jesus no matter what happens!
Catherine was driving her friends to a birthday party. Suddenly, a car went through a red light and turned in front of Catherine’s car. There was no time to react. She slammed into the car. Airbags blew out from the steering wheel with a bang. There was a loud crunch of metal on metal. The tires skidded off the road. Then everything turned quiet as the car stopped next to a tree. Catherine took note in that moment of the overwhelming quiet. In that millisecond, Catherine thought of the scripture where Jesus told His disciples that “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Isn’t it funny how your mind can focus on a scripture at a crucial moment? Shockingly, Catherine felt at peace in that moment. She was in a perfectly calm state. She felt like God had everything in hand. She felt safe in God’s hands. She felt no fear or unease.
Emergency vehicles arrived. It was suggested that Catherine and her friends be taken to the hospital for tests, just to be safe. Catherine felt fine and wanted to decline, but she felt God telling her to go anyway… so she did. Everyone in Catherine’s vehicle was shocked that not one of them was injured. There were no signs of internal bleeding or broken bones in any of them.
While Catherine and her friends talked about the accident in the emergency room, a doctor approached Catherine. The scans that the hospital had taken to make sure there was no internal bleeding revealed that Catherine had a nodule on her chest wall. Later, the nodule was revealed to be cancerous and was removed. Had Catherine not been in the accident, the cancer would not have been discovered until possibly too late. Had Catherine not listened to that push from God to go to the hospital, the cancer may have taken her life. To this day, Catherine calls the car accident her “little miracle where God took care of my cancer”. She often speaks about how her trust in God proved lifesaving.
In the scripture for today from the gospel of John, Mary told those involved to “do whatever Jesus tells you” (John 2:5). I have the same prescription for you today. When you feel God pushing you to change something, be somewhere, give up something, let go of some sin, resist temptation… you need to “do whatever Jesus tells you”! Don’t fight it! Don’t overlook the calling of the Holy Spirit. God will speak to you. Jesus will come to you. In all things… learn to “do whatever Jesus tells you”.
You may have difficulty, at times, figuring out what God is saying. Doubts may darken your thoughts as Jesus is calling out to you. Life often gets in the way of God’s work. Emotions may cloud your judgment. Still, the Holy Spirit will seek to direct your steps. That’s why Jesus called the Holy Spirit a “counselor” (John 14:26). God wants you to stay on the path that leads you to Heaven. When you come to a fork in the road, the Holy Spirit will advise you. You will need to follow God’s will. Through it all, just “do whatever Jesus tells you”! Trust in God’s hands. Have faith in God’s will.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God, may I follow Your leading all my days! When You bring a warning, may I heed it. Let Your word inform my thoughts. Let your Holy Spirit speak to me, directing my steps, correcting my judgment.
I thank you for Jesus! His life and death captured my attention. His teachings have influenced my values. His promises have brought me hope. His forgiveness has healed my heart and soul.
Today, I pray for those who find it difficult to follow Your will. There are many who have become mired in sin. Many have chosen to harden their hearts rather than choose righteousness, holiness, grace, and forgiveness. I especially pray for the following people who are at a crossroads in life… __________________________________ .
Humbly, I ask for forgiveness for my own sin. I am ashamed of my failures. I seek to be aligned to Your will. I long for the grace of Jesus Christ to reign supreme in my life. Amen.
When reading about Jesus’ turning water to wine at the wedding reception at Cana, most people focus on that miracle. Some ask, “How did Jesus turn water into wine?” Others point out the power of Jesus to change substances by faith alone. Still others focus their attention on why Jesus performed that miracle. Scholars are quick to point out that this miracle of water into wine is not found in any other gospel. Today, I want you to notice something completely different in this scripture. Don’t focus on who was at the wedding or on the miracle performed by Jesus. Instead, pay attention to what Mary said to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”(John 2:5). This simple sentence displays Mary’s belief that Jesus could perform the impossible, Jesus could fix problems, Jesus would come through for those who love Him.
Fundamentally, Mary’s statement is one of complete faith that Jesus would make things right. Her words show no doubt. Mary is convinced that Jesus was one to rely on. Mary did not hesitate. She did not tell Jesus what to do. She did not ask if Jesus could help. Mary simply informed the servants to follow Jesus’ directions completely, so that everything would be made right for the reception.
Contrast Mary’s statement with what most people do when things are going wrong. Instead of “doing whatever Jesus tells you”, many people pray for God to fix things their way. They tell God what is wrong and how to make it right. Or, they don’t even ask God for help. Or, they doubt Jesus will follow through. Or, they lack faith in God’s providence. Mary did none of these things. Mary simply left it up to Jesus to make it right and informed those involved to just “do whatever Jesus tells you.”
How good are you at “doing what Jesus tells you”? When you need God’s help, do you follow God’s will? When you don’t know where to turn, do you listen for Jesus’ direction? I am not surprised when non-Christians fail to follow God’s command. What does surprise me is that Christians often lack the faith of Mary. They are not willing to just do whatever Jesus tells them, especially when following Jesus will take patience, effort, and a willingness to trust Jesus no matter what happens!
Catherine was driving her friends to a birthday party. Suddenly, a car went through a red light and turned in front of Catherine’s car. There was no time to react. She slammed into the car. Airbags blew out from the steering wheel with a bang. There was a loud crunch of metal on metal. The tires skidded off the road. Then everything turned quiet as the car stopped next to a tree. Catherine took note in that moment of the overwhelming quiet. In that millisecond, Catherine thought of the scripture where Jesus told His disciples that “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Isn’t it funny how your mind can focus on a scripture at a crucial moment? Shockingly, Catherine felt at peace in that moment. She was in a perfectly calm state. She felt like God had everything in hand. She felt safe in God’s hands. She felt no fear or unease.
Emergency vehicles arrived. It was suggested that Catherine and her friends be taken to the hospital for tests, just to be safe. Catherine felt fine and wanted to decline, but she felt God telling her to go anyway… so she did. Everyone in Catherine’s vehicle was shocked that not one of them was injured. There were no signs of internal bleeding or broken bones in any of them.
While Catherine and her friends talked about the accident in the emergency room, a doctor approached Catherine. The scans that the hospital had taken to make sure there was no internal bleeding revealed that Catherine had a nodule on her chest wall. Later, the nodule was revealed to be cancerous and was removed. Had Catherine not been in the accident, the cancer would not have been discovered until possibly too late. Had Catherine not listened to that push from God to go to the hospital, the cancer may have taken her life. To this day, Catherine calls the car accident her “little miracle where God took care of my cancer”. She often speaks about how her trust in God proved lifesaving.
In the scripture for today from the gospel of John, Mary told those involved to “do whatever Jesus tells you” (John 2:5). I have the same prescription for you today. When you feel God pushing you to change something, be somewhere, give up something, let go of some sin, resist temptation… you need to “do whatever Jesus tells you”! Don’t fight it! Don’t overlook the calling of the Holy Spirit. God will speak to you. Jesus will come to you. In all things… learn to “do whatever Jesus tells you”.
You may have difficulty, at times, figuring out what God is saying. Doubts may darken your thoughts as Jesus is calling out to you. Life often gets in the way of God’s work. Emotions may cloud your judgment. Still, the Holy Spirit will seek to direct your steps. That’s why Jesus called the Holy Spirit a “counselor” (John 14:26). God wants you to stay on the path that leads you to Heaven. When you come to a fork in the road, the Holy Spirit will advise you. You will need to follow God’s will. Through it all, just “do whatever Jesus tells you”! Trust in God’s hands. Have faith in God’s will.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blessed Lord my God, may I follow Your leading all my days! When You bring a warning, may I heed it. Let Your word inform my thoughts. Let your Holy Spirit speak to me, directing my steps, correcting my judgment.
I thank you for Jesus! His life and death captured my attention. His teachings have influenced my values. His promises have brought me hope. His forgiveness has healed my heart and soul.
Today, I pray for those who find it difficult to follow Your will. There are many who have become mired in sin. Many have chosen to harden their hearts rather than choose righteousness, holiness, grace, and forgiveness. I especially pray for the following people who are at a crossroads in life… __________________________________ .
Humbly, I ask for forgiveness for my own sin. I am ashamed of my failures. I seek to be aligned to Your will. I long for the grace of Jesus Christ to reign supreme in my life. Amen.