“Do whatever He tells you.”

At a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, one in which Jesus and His disciples were invited, scripture records that they ran out of wine. Weddings, along with all the festivities, sometimes lasted a week or more. Wine was an important part of the ceremony and to run out was considered an embarrassment for the families involved. Mary, the mother of Jesus, shows great concern and informs her Son, Jesus, “They have no wine…” (John 2:3) Regardless of the reason behind her concern, she wanted and expected Jesus to do something about it.

What Jesus did in this context was “…the beginning of signs that He did in Cana of Galilee, manifesting His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11) The miracles Jesus performed were for the purpose of producing belief that He was the Son of God and in believing one may inherit eternal life. (John 20:30,31) His ability to perform miracles served a specific purpose and was not to be used at will for any cause at any time. I understand this to influence the response of Jesus in this setting toward His mother Mary. Jesus answers Mary, “Woman what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not come yet.” John 2:4

Jesus was not being disrespectful to His mother, rather advising her, that there was a specific purpose and time for the work that the Father had given Him. Jesus could have immediately made wine appear, but what purpose would that have served other than solve a fleshly dilemma.While problems of the flesh may be addressed and helped by the miracles of Jesus, that was not their primary purpose. Jesus told His mother, “…my hour has not come yet.” (John 2:4) Mary responded,“Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5

There are only a handful of recorded statements made by Mary in the Bible, this being the final one. “Do whatever he tells you…” (John 2:5)

The advice of Mary is simple yet essential to success in submitting to the will of GOD.

How are we to worship? Do whatever He tells you. How can we have a life of peace and joy? Do whatever He tells you. What must I do to become a Christian? Do whatever He tells you. How do we bring lost souls to Christ? Do whatever He tells you. How do we grow as a church? We do whatever He tells you.

One of the simplest statements ever recorded in scripture is likewise one of the most profound in its meaning, “Do whatever He tells you.” If we take the words of Mary and apply them to our spiritual life, we can expect success.