The Gift of Obedience

They were at a wedding. The wine had run out. The hosts of the party would have been simply humiliated that they did not plan and prepare well for this celebration of celebrations. Mary, the mother of Jesus, needed help from her son. She asked him to help replenish the wine. I don't know if Mary intended for Jesus to perform a miracle or simply locate more wine for the guests, but she trusted her son to take care of this need.

As Mary left the scene, she commanded the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5) And then Jesus makes a ridiculous request, "Fill the jars with water." The servants filled the jars. Next Jesus tells them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. I can just imagine the looks and the hushed whispers between the servants. (Well, if it were me at least here's how I think I would have responded...)

           "This guy is crazy. There is water in this jar. I'm not taking it to the master. You do it! He'll be     

           furious that we offered him and his guests water and not wine." Insert eye rolls and crazy 

           gestures at this point!

But never the less, the servants did as Jesus said and the master and guests were more than pleased at the quality of the wine.

It is Mary's response that grabs my heart today, "Do whatever he tells you." As we approach Christmas, and we ponder what to give our Savior in celebration of his birth, our obedience is his desire. In John 14:15 Jesus says, "If you love me, keep my commands." Along the journey of our faith walk with Jesus he will ask us to do things. Some will seem difficult, some easy, some down right crazy, some will evoke initial fear. But our love for Jesus is displayed in obedience. We cannot be selective in what we do or don't do. If he asks us to do something he will provide the means to do it. If we are afraid he will provide courage. If we feel ill-equiped he will give us the necessary tools. However, the first step must be ours. 

What is it today that Jesus is asking you to do? Do you need to hand over an issue? Offer forgiveness? Speak boldly about your faith? Take a stand on what is right and true knowing you will meet opposition? Whatever he asks you to do, do it!