Do Whatever He Tells You
John 2:1-11
January 17, 2021 anno Domini
Did Jesus really talk back to His mother at the wedding of Cana? If He did that doesn’t give you permission to talk back to your mother. You’re not Jesus.
What was going on between Mary and Jesus? Was Mary concerned about trivial matters? Did Jesus rebuke her? Was she being a “Karen” to the servants when she said, “Do whatever he tells you” or I’ll call your boss? Or was Mary concerned about the shame this would bring on the family? Was she speaking to Jesus of something quite important to her? Did Jesus kindly say, “Mom, it isn’t the right time for Me to show My glory.” Was she speaking in faith to the servants, indicating her trust that Jesus would do what was right? “Do whatever He tells you.”
We shouldn’t try to figure out Jesus. He’s God. Whatever He was doing with Mary was for her good and ours, even if we cannot understand it or explain it. We should expect to be rebuked by Jesus and told no. If He does that to his mother, He is going to do it to you.
This miracle is not a salvific miracle. It isn’t a life or death, heaven or hell miracle. Yes, it is a sign that Jesus is true God. He makes something (wine) out of nothing (water). It is a testimony that He uses the weak things of the world (water) to show His strength (20 proof Port to finish off a wedding banquet). As far as miracles go, this isn’t as great as giving sight to a blind guy or raising Lazarus. Those miracles are slightly greater than a free bar at a wedding. But once again, with those conclusions, we are measuring Christ by our standards. We might be surprised on the last day how many people came to faith through the good wine at Cana.
We need to stop analyzing Jesus and simply believe the man and do what He says. That is what Mary did and what she told the servants.
Whether the wedding party finishes with wine or without wine doesn’t matter. If Jesus says, “I think the guests have had too much. I don’t want all these people getting arrested for DDUI – driving donkeys under the influence.” Then so be it. “Do whatever he tells you.” And if Jesus says, “I want to show you my grace and kindness. I’m going to provide the wedding party with 180 gallons of the best wine ever vinted,” then so be it. “Do whatever he tells you.”
This is faith. To hear what Jesus says and to do what He tells you. No word of Jesus is insignificant. We cannot pick and choose the Words of Jesus that we hear and obey.
Sometimes His Word will make no sense. We do not know the specifics of those water jars used in the Jewish purification rite. Were they there for foot washing? Did they serve another purpose? Since they were empty it is likely that whatever their purpose it had been served. The servants had all sorts of chores to do but filling the water jars was not one of them. It made no sense at this part of the wedding feast, but Mary told them, “Do whatever He tells you” and when Jesus said, “Fill the jars with water” they did.
There was even less reason to bring this water to the master of the feast. Why would he drink water from the purification jars? He might think the servants themselves had drunk too much wine, but they did what Jesus told them and took the water to the master of the feast.
The Bible is filled with Words of Jesus that make no sense and are not directly related to His saving work. Turn the other cheek. Love your enemies. Unless you’re willing to talk to your neighbor about his sins you have no business talking about him to others. Before you judge others judge yourself by God’s standard. Humble yourself. Exalt others. If you hate someone you are a murderer. If you lust after a woman you have committed adultery. Unhappiness isn’t a valid reason for divorce. Keep your prayers short. Don’t fill them with mindless ramblings. Order them according to God’s Word. The greatest in God’s Kingdom is the least – a little child. He made them male and female and that’s it. Jesus would have a hard time getting along in the United States and that shouldn’t surprise you. He’s not from around here.
Yet, Mary would tell us, like she told the servants at the wedding, “Do whatever He tells you.” Why? Because this little miracle at Cana is a sign that Jesus is God. “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11, ESV) This miracle manifested / showed Jesus’ glory. In the Old Testament God’s glory was seen in clouds, and fire, and smoke. In the New Testament God is seen in the flesh of Jesus. The Son of God is present in Jesus of Nazareth to display God to you. Do you want to see the glory of God? Look at Jesus being betrayed, arrested, and chained. See Jesus convicted, whipped, and mocked. Behold the Son of God nailed to the cross, shamefully naked, suffocating to death. Why? Because your Father in heaven loves you in this way. He sent His Son to save you from your sins. You have no reason ever to doubt that God is good or that He is present to care for you. His Son laid down His life for you. He rose again from the dead for you. Jesus gave you His Baptism, His Word, and His Supper so that you could be born again as God’s child, so that you could breathe the fresh air of forgiveness, so that you could eat the living food of His body and drink His life-giving blood.
Mary believed whatever Jesus said or did would be good. The servants listened to her, “Do whatever he tells you.” Maybe the servants didn’t want to get in trouble. Maybe they knew not to mess with the Mother of God. Their obedience (for whatever reason) led to blessings they couldn’t even grasp and might not see until the resurrection. In their case they got some really good wine out of their faith, but Jesus doesn’t promise that. You could lose everything you have by doing what Jesus says and that would still be good for you.
Do whatever Jesus tells you, even when it makes no sense. When you know it’s going to hurt. When there’s no apparent reason to do so. Do whatever He says not because mother Mary says so, but because Jesus is the glory, the presence, of God and that means God is good and gracious and merciful. God is on your side. He is for you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.